Engine issues
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 705
From: DFW
Engine issues
Rode my bike (97 WG) last week Thursday and had an issue with bike dying on tje freeway. Pulled off on service road and waited about 3 minutes and it started up and I ran and got almost a full tank of new gast at Quiktrip. I thought it might be an issue with old gas. Although I generally treat the gas with Stabil Marine or Starteon Ethanol Gas Treatment if it's going to sit.
Thinking the new gas solved the issue, I rode down to the Lonestar Rally on Friday. First 60 miles bike ran fine. Next 150 miles was the engine shaking and then quitting. Stopped, added some STP Fuel System Treatment (again thinking issue was fuel related). Last 200 miles bike ran fine. Turned a 6 hour trip into 8. Saturday bike ran fine. Sunday...dang battery showed 12.2V...and wouldn't start. Hahaha
Got new battery and left Galveston to head North on Monday. Bike ran fine for ~ 200 miles and then the shaking and wngine quitting happened again. Last 35 miles was a treat as I had to stop and start ~ 5x.
I have not been riding much the last 2 summers. I did have a shop work on my bike and it hasn't run right since then.
Any suggestions?
Thinking the new gas solved the issue, I rode down to the Lonestar Rally on Friday. First 60 miles bike ran fine. Next 150 miles was the engine shaking and then quitting. Stopped, added some STP Fuel System Treatment (again thinking issue was fuel related). Last 200 miles bike ran fine. Turned a 6 hour trip into 8. Saturday bike ran fine. Sunday...dang battery showed 12.2V...and wouldn't start. Hahaha
Got new battery and left Galveston to head North on Monday. Bike ran fine for ~ 200 miles and then the shaking and wngine quitting happened again. Last 35 miles was a treat as I had to stop and start ~ 5x.
I have not been riding much the last 2 summers. I did have a shop work on my bike and it hasn't run right since then.
Any suggestions?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,565
Likes: 3,318
From: Cental, MI
I agree to check fuel delivery First...anything from Collapsing fuel line, Plugged petcock screen, faulty vacuum petcock, cap not venting...
If Inline filter ...pitch that immediately!!
If Inline filter ...pitch that immediately!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,253
Likes: 3,672
From: Florida
After caring for the things mentioned you may want to clean your carburetor really well. Clean the choke section. Also as long shot as it may sound, check your battery and starter terminations
not just that they are tight.. remove and really clean them and then tighten. A battery ground can do weird things.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,024
Likes: 7,549
From: Poolville
One of the most neglected parts on an older Harley is the fuel cross over line. Check to see if it's spongy soft and plugged.. Ethanol fuel will ball up the older style rubber fuel lines like you wouldn't believe.... I replaced all my fuel lines with newer EFI fuel lines made for Ethanol..
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 9,900
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
I believe this post is referring to the Ignition Sensor, located in the nosecone. Easy enough to open that and have a look to see if theres any melting of anything in there. When my bike acted like that
thats what it turned out to be. That said
Id also be taking a thorough look at the charging system
every component.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 3,037
From: Brighton, MI
I believe this post is referring to the Ignition Sensor, located in the nosecone. Easy enough to open that and have a look to see if theres any melting of anything in there. When my bike acted like that
thats what it turned out to be. That said
Id also be taking a thorough look at the charging system
every component.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,565
Likes: 3,318
From: Cental, MI
If, the Battery/charging system is the fault of poor running.... It certainly ain't gonna Start!!
