99 softail won’t stay running
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 16
From: ohio
99 softail won’t stay running
I’ve changed the battery, plugs, cleaned the carb but haven’t dissembled completely. Fresh gas. It will start and idle but once the choke is off it dies or it will run but under load it dies.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,690
From: South Carolina
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 16
From: ohio
no, the bike ran great, just yesterday is when it started spitting and sputtering on me then died and wouldn’t restart.
I got it home and cleaned the carbs and it seams to be running better but I’m concerned it’s deeper than a carb issue. You can drain a battery trying to get it to start with choke on. Once you push the choke in the bike will die.
I got it home and cleaned the carbs and it seams to be running better but I’m concerned it’s deeper than a carb issue. You can drain a battery trying to get it to start with choke on. Once you push the choke in the bike will die.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
What tank petcock in play, since could be as simple at broken vacuum line, or clogged petcock, and not supplying fuel fast enough to the carb in the first place.
If that is not the problem, then carb needs to come apart if adjusted correctly, since you screwed something up on the rebuild/most likely on the idle jet side, or did not adjust the float level correctly instead.
If that is not the problem, then carb needs to come apart if adjusted correctly, since you screwed something up on the rebuild/most likely on the idle jet side, or did not adjust the float level correctly instead.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 16
From: ohio
What tank petcock in play, since could be as simple at broken vacuum line, or clogged petcock, and not supplying fuel fast enough to the carb in the first place.
If that is not the problem, then carb needs to come apart if adjusted correctly, since you screwed something up on the rebuild/most likely on the idle jet side, or did not adjust the float level correctly instead.
If that is not the problem, then carb needs to come apart if adjusted correctly, since you screwed something up on the rebuild/most likely on the idle jet side, or did not adjust the float level correctly instead.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 91
From: Florida
Can you give is a bit more info? '99 carbed Evo, we got. How long have you had it and how many miles have you ridden with it? How many miles overall and do you know the history? If it sat, it could have a rusty tank and the screen on the petcock is clogged. Take a look inside the tank with a flashlight and see how the tank walls and floor look. You could also pop the fuel line off the petcock, run another line to a clear bottle, then turn the fuel to "ON" and see the flow. If you were riding it successfully and it suddenly started running like hell, a clog somewhere would be my first thought.
We'll get you there.
We'll get you there.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 980
Likes: 176
From: PA
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 16
From: ohio
Can you give is a bit more info? '99 carbed Evo, we got. How long have you had it and how many miles have you ridden with it? How many miles overall and do you know the history? If it sat, it could have a rusty tank and the screen on the petcock is clogged. Take a look inside the tank with a flashlight and see how the tank walls and floor look. You could also pop the fuel line off the petcock, run another line to a clear bottle, then turn the fuel to "ON" and see the flow. If you were riding it successfully and it suddenly started running like hell, a clog somewhere would be my first thought.
We'll get you there.
We'll get you there.
I can say though I rode the bike from Danville ky to Harrison Ohio which is a little over 2 hours with absolutely zero issues. The guy who owned the bike before me took the best of care of it and it seems to be in pretty good shape. I haven’t looked down in the tank but I will today.