help please
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
help please
So, on my 89 Softail I was riding home and it started acting funky. The power would die down, as if running out of gas, then power back up, then bog down, back up, etc. at an even rate (down up down up down up). It died at a stop sign. I checked the gas, some is in there but it's low (perhaps level at the petcock), and it started back up and got me home but had that same off-on off-on for about one mile all the way home. Of course I'll start by topping off the tank but it seemed weird that, although it did feel like a fuel issue, it would come back, then bog, then back, like a see-saw at an even rate, or "beat". Does this sound like anything to anyone? Ignition? Wires?
I'm handy at wrenching off and on parts but terrible at the diagnostic stuff. Many thanks.
I'm handy at wrenching off and on parts but terrible at the diagnostic stuff. Many thanks.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Two quick cheap things to check. The petcock screen and plug wires. The petcock screen is always a good maintenance check to clean her out. For the wires you can sometimes see them putting on a light show when it is dark out and the bike is running. This is a good indication something is wrong. Or start it up and grab a hold of them. If you get a good ride then change your wires 
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 237
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Good advice. Will remove petcock and check screen, and then hold wires while standing naked in a puddle of water. Or, maybe just replace those wires.
Does this condition sound like an ignition going out?
Does this condition sound like an ignition going out?
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Plug wire problems almost feel like you are going to dump the bike or someone rear ended you. They are very sudden. I have never had an ignition problem so I cannot comment. I would rule the cheap stuff out first.
I noticed it was my plug wires when I reached down to hit reserve. Felt like a bee sting. I smiled because I found the problem.
I noticed it was my plug wires when I reached down to hit reserve. Felt like a bee sting. I smiled because I found the problem.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
A partially plugged fuel tank vent can cause these problems along with a failing vacuum fuel petcock or a slight vacuum leak in the hoses going to the petcock. Of course a failing ignition module can do more things than we could mention here. Hope this helps
Last edited by miacycles; Jun 18, 2011 at 07:14 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
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Don't think it's a vacuum leak - I only have one hose going straight to the carb. No vent either.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
All fuel tanks are vented. Some have a vent hose, some have a vented cap. Check and see if the veny in the cap is functioning as it should.