97 FLSTC hesitation?
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 302
From: earth
I may be better off leaving fuel in it with stabilizer then. It wouldn't hurt 
While I use fuel additives periodically, I never deliberately left fuel in teh tank with stabilizer over winter - I never gave it a thought. I will start doing that from now on though - cheers.
While I use fuel additives periodically, I never deliberately left fuel in teh tank with stabilizer over winter - I never gave it a thought. I will start doing that from now on though - cheers.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 72
From: SE TN
Seafoam is what I swear by for gas stabilization. . It's been around since 1942. It doesn't go bad as sta-bil will.
My Dad turned me onto Seafoam back in early 70's.. I even put some in one of my least used air guns, in 2 days it was running smooth as new again.
My Dad turned me onto Seafoam back in early 70's.. I even put some in one of my least used air guns, in 2 days it was running smooth as new again.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 1,145
From: Directly above the center of the Earth
Yep, Sta-bil is *CRAP*! I put some in the fuel tank of my log splitter years ago for the winter. The next summer, I went to start it up and couldn't get it to do anything. I finally eneded up having to take the little carburetor off and took it apart and every hole and line was completely clogged with *SOLID* tacky varnish-like stuff!! Nothing I used or could find would melt it or make it soften up. Found out too that the tank was the same way. I had to throw the tank, lines and carb in the garbage. Never again will I use that crap Sta-bil!
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 302
From: earth
Okay - so an update and some surprises -
So the CV was re built and re Jetted to suit the S&S Air Cleaner and V&H Exhaust. Also had a full service done and proper tune up including new plugs and Magnum Chromite Leads and Battery Leads replaced. The rear brake pads were also replaced. As it turned out though - there was a manifold intake air leak as a result of "aged seals", which were obviously replaced as well. And that is what was causing the problems.
Greg (the mechanic) did a thorough inspection of everything on the bike as well and discovered a few other things that are going to be replaced etc. Those things include the folowing:
New Starter Motor (Motor clutch is on its way out and easier to replace the whole thing rather than just the clutch)
Front Brake Master Cylinder
Clutch cable adjustment thingy seized/rusted needs replacing (or the whole clutch assembly to match the brakes)
New choke/enricher cable as the adjustment is brittle and cannot be used without a risk of it braeking.
Tail Light Bar Assembly has siezed nuts and can't be tightened (something I knew about and will probably now replace for all new)
Gear Lever assembly is loose and needs some bush tightened/replaced??
Will need new tires in the not too distant future as they are just legal in terms of inspections.
All I can say is additional things took me a bit by surprise, other than the light bar; however, the bike starters beautifully and requires very little choke, unlike before. Also sounds a whole lot better as well.
Although there is a fair list of other things that needs doing none of them pose a safety issue or a danger to me as the rider so I will be picking the bike up tomorrow morning until Greg gets all the other parts needed and lets me know when to take the bike back for that work to be done.
Also discussed a couple of other things with him (Greg) like the Andrews 27 install along with all the peripheral things that go along with a Cam replacement. That is to be done over this coming winter. As such, by next season I should have something like a Stage 2 engine and a (virtualy) new bike to boot
So the CV was re built and re Jetted to suit the S&S Air Cleaner and V&H Exhaust. Also had a full service done and proper tune up including new plugs and Magnum Chromite Leads and Battery Leads replaced. The rear brake pads were also replaced. As it turned out though - there was a manifold intake air leak as a result of "aged seals", which were obviously replaced as well. And that is what was causing the problems.
Greg (the mechanic) did a thorough inspection of everything on the bike as well and discovered a few other things that are going to be replaced etc. Those things include the folowing:
New Starter Motor (Motor clutch is on its way out and easier to replace the whole thing rather than just the clutch)
Front Brake Master Cylinder
Clutch cable adjustment thingy seized/rusted needs replacing (or the whole clutch assembly to match the brakes)
New choke/enricher cable as the adjustment is brittle and cannot be used without a risk of it braeking.
Tail Light Bar Assembly has siezed nuts and can't be tightened (something I knew about and will probably now replace for all new)
Gear Lever assembly is loose and needs some bush tightened/replaced??
Will need new tires in the not too distant future as they are just legal in terms of inspections.
All I can say is additional things took me a bit by surprise, other than the light bar; however, the bike starters beautifully and requires very little choke, unlike before. Also sounds a whole lot better as well.
Although there is a fair list of other things that needs doing none of them pose a safety issue or a danger to me as the rider so I will be picking the bike up tomorrow morning until Greg gets all the other parts needed and lets me know when to take the bike back for that work to be done.
Also discussed a couple of other things with him (Greg) like the Andrews 27 install along with all the peripheral things that go along with a Cam replacement. That is to be done over this coming winter. As such, by next season I should have something like a Stage 2 engine and a (virtualy) new bike to boot
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 975
Likes: 302
From: earth
Not sure I completely understand what you mean by "did it sit long"? The initial problem didn't show itself until after a few weeks of riding this year so it was a comparatively new circumstance. I guess I only rode it for a couple of weeks (thereabouts) after the issue showed itself and before getting it looked at and (thankfully) fixed. When Greg (the mech) started it the other day, it started first pop and without any hesitation or much choke and ran really nicely - no stutters etc at all. Now I am looking forward to riding it again until the other parts can be gotten.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 72
From: SE TN
Thank you and yeah, I think I am getting it sorted out pretty well and (hopefully) caught the problem before it became a major one OR caused any other problems. The thought of having to replace valves isn't a pleasant one at this point of time - an expense I don't realy need
Not sure I completely understand what you mean by "did it sit long"? The initial problem didn't show itself until after a few weeks of riding this year so it was a comparatively new circumstance. I guess I only rode it for a couple of weeks (thereabouts) after the issue showed itself and before getting it looked at and (thankfully) fixed. When Greg (the mech) started it the other day, it started first pop and without any hesitation or much choke and ran really nicely - no stutters etc at all. Now I am looking forward to riding it again until the other parts can be gotten.
Not sure I completely understand what you mean by "did it sit long"? The initial problem didn't show itself until after a few weeks of riding this year so it was a comparatively new circumstance. I guess I only rode it for a couple of weeks (thereabouts) after the issue showed itself and before getting it looked at and (thankfully) fixed. When Greg (the mech) started it the other day, it started first pop and without any hesitation or much choke and ran really nicely - no stutters etc at all. Now I am looking forward to riding it again until the other parts can be gotten.
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