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

idle on 04 883 sportster

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 18, 2005 | 05:58 PM
  #1  
npd_66's Avatar
npd_66
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Default idle on 04 883 sportster

I have a 2004 Sportster 883 CUstom with about 1800 miles on it. It seems after I have let it warm up and have pushed the choke all the way in, the bike seems to idle really low. Also if I rev the engine just a little bit at this time, it sometimes sounds like it is sucking a little bit of air or something like air coming out the exhaust. I have also had it die a couple of times at idle. Can I adjust the idle or am I maybe not letting the bike warm up enough before I push the choke back in? Thanks for anyones help!
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2005 | 06:52 PM
  #2  
12Stones's Avatar
12Stones
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS!!!!
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

How long are you letting it warm up? How long between rides? Oh, and welcome to the forum.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2005 | 07:52 PM
  #3  
npd_66's Avatar
npd_66
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

i try to ride a mile or two with the choke fully out. Then about another mile or two with the choke half way in. Then iI will push it all the way in. It seems when I do that I have to pull the choke **** back out just a little to keep the idle up. If I go on a long ride, I don't seem to have the problem. It is just if I I am stop and go riding in town.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2005 | 12:31 AM
  #4  
mikeisglidn's Avatar
mikeisglidn
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 9
From: jacksonville, nc
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

low idle is cool! sounds better! long as its not dieing. if you change it and ride it a long time as you say it gets normal, it might be too hi then. if its too high it could run hot.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2005 | 01:07 AM
  #5  
npd_66's Avatar
npd_66
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

I would like my idle just a tad higher? Do you know how to change it and can I change it?
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2005 | 01:17 AM
  #6  
DannyDFXWG's Avatar
DannyDFXWG
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Epsom NH
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

If you look behind the air cleaner and at the carb, there should be a screw comin off the carb. Let the bike warm up and idle, and dont have the choke on. You can turn that screw to turn the idle up or down. I also dont know if I'd recommend ridin the bike with the choke on at all. Just let the bike warm up, turn the choke off and go. If it gives you trouble at first, dont worry about it. It'll run great once you get goin.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2005 | 01:46 AM
  #7  
npd_66's Avatar
npd_66
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

Thanks Danny. I'll give it a shot and see if it helps. I think it may be just me being picky how my bike sounds rather than somehing being wrong with it. Also, that is the first I heard about not riding with the choke on. Just curious why not to do that. Thanks a bunch.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2005 | 08:30 AM
  #8  
pococj's Avatar
pococj
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster


ORIGINAL: mikeisglidn

low idle is cool! sounds better! long as its not dieing. if you change it and ride it a long time as you say it gets normal, it might be too hi then. if its too high it could run hot.
Never set your idle much lower than recommended. Too low an idle is slow death to the bottom end. (But it does soend good. )
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 19, 2005 | 09:22 AM
  #9  
mailmanj's Avatar
mailmanj
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: idle on 04 883 sportster

try starting it with the choke and letting it idle for a couple minutes. then using the throttle bring up the rpms allittle bit and push in the choke and using the throttle lock. lock the throttle and let the bike warm up for a couple more minutes.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dazzauk
EVO
21
Sep 6, 2016 12:01 AM
troverman
Touring Models
2
May 5, 2014 10:19 AM
sportster77
Ironhead
28
May 28, 2009 08:30 PM
duff67uk
Exhaust System Topics
3
Jul 12, 2007 03:33 PM
70mach1
Exhaust System Topics
8
Jul 14, 2006 01:15 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:56 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE