Exhaust System Topics New and old exhaust system discussions. Fitment issues to sound bites and suggestions. Post them here.

power loss problem 1978 flh

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 1, 2008 | 07:15 PM
  #1  
roycook's Avatar
roycook
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default power loss problem 1978 flh

78 flh top speed only 65mph , good comp. , new electronic ing. , new coil & wires , new carb (s&s G) ,new fuel lines ,filter , petcock , new intake & O-rings ,new ing. switch , new wiring harness . Bike runs strong in neutral but in gear it bogs - stalls .cant keep throwing moneyatit !!! please help !!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2008 | 07:23 PM
  #2  
rbabos's Avatar
rbabos
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

Timing, ignition or cam? Exhaust restriction?
Ron
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2008 | 07:32 PM
  #3  
roycook's Avatar
roycook
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

new cam ,shot-gun pipes with 3" baffels cut down to 1&1/2
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2008 | 07:44 PM
  #4  
rbabos's Avatar
rbabos
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

Ok, exhaust should work. Are you sure the cam isn't out one tooth or morein timing? It may still run, but really gutless.
Ron
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2008 | 08:24 PM
  #5  
ajayrk's Avatar
ajayrk
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 4
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

A "G" is a big carb for a '78. Main jet too big (rich). Go down a size.
 
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2008 | 08:40 PM
  #6  
roycook's Avatar
roycook
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

not 100% sure of timing - timing mark hard to see , dont think carb is to big same prob. with S&S E , motor was built ,S&S rods & pistons with longer than stock stroke ,sifton cam & andrews gears . bike used - fly
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2008 | 06:22 AM
  #7  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

An S&S G carb will feed 113" and 124" engines. It is MUCH too large for your 80" Shovel.
You will need to jet up, and in a big way, as the signal it is recieving from your powerplant is not enough to wick gas up out of the bowl.
BTW, what are the jet sizes?
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2008 | 10:03 AM
  #8  
roycook's Avatar
roycook
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

the S&S E worked fine for a few years , then I had intermintint power loss , now I only have power when in neutral , runs very strong - try to ride -now only goes 15 to 20 mph . been trying different parts to fix , nothing works
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 2, 2008 | 02:02 PM
  #9  
Hillsidecycle.com's Avatar
Hillsidecycle.com
Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,084
Likes: 829
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

Something is way out of shape.
Perhaps more than can be diagnosed here in cybertown.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2008 | 02:30 PM
  #10  
roycook's Avatar
roycook
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default RE: power loss problem 1978 flh

any tests I can do or places to check ?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:57 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE