Hello
I recently bought a 73 sportster that recently started acting up. The thing is running pretty low compression 90/80 but will start with one kick and has ran great for the first couple thousand miles. Lately though after driving it around for awhile, mabey 5-10 miles the engine will start sputtering it doesn't do it as bad if i feather the throttle but will still gradually slow down and stall out. If I let it sit for about 5 minutes it will start up and be good for another half mile or so before doing it again.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like the condensor is toast.
Scott

 

Gotta agree with that!
Had a customer drop off his 74 flh last week. It ran for 10 minutes just fine. He got to within 3 blocks of my house and it dies. He never tried to restart it. Pushed it to my shop and when he came it, hit the button and it fired right off!!! Man was he pissed.

Swapped the condensor(and points) and all was good.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think Im gonna take it apart and rebuild it this winter. I'll put this on my list.
Any opinion on whether I should convert the points system or will I run into the same problem.

 

We would reccomend a Dyna 2000i, if the client was going to an electronic ignition. They work very well.
Scott

 

Cool, Thanks again