hi all, having trouble accelerating from low down, don't know what revs as i don't have a rev counter, but engine chugs and backfires and iv'e got to drop a gear or the engine management light comes on, this happens in every gear, more so when the engine is hot.

 

Could be a intake leak.
Could be a Acellerator pump bad if carbed
Could be a Accelerator inrichment too low if Computer. I guess check engine means computer.
Since it must be, what are the codes? The owners manual says how to access these things from the dash. Cause it could be sensors or such.

Could be a cam with too much duration for this engine.

Have you got some more particulars about this bike?
Have you recentely done some work on the engine?

 

due to do a service, myself, oils plugs filters, been serviced at local harley dealer until now, 1200mls on the clock, carb model, got the parts to do service this week, it's an 883 sportster stage 1 tuned with sceemen eagle pipes and filter.

 

gawn tae bed, read replies in the mornin, hope there is a few, pissed off with chuggin through towns.

 

How old is the battery

 

Battery is only 2 months old, when bike is not being used for a few weeks it is put on an optimate charger.

 

We have a 1999 Sportster 1200 Custom Evolution, only has 5k miles on it. My husband drove it home, it ran fine, a few hours later went for another ride. Came back after it broke down and we've been trying to figure out for days. It runs good the first 15, 20 mins...but the minute it gets warmed up and running great, you give it gas and it backfires (literally shoots flames out the exhaust) and it sputters and then won't stay running. We just need an idea of where to start. I love our Harley and it hurts to just look at it and not ride it.

 

You could pull the plugs but they will be all gumed up from this condition. will need cleaning anyway though.
Then I would look at the carb.
Something is, maybe, causing a real rich condition. Since it is blowing fire out the pipes.
If it was backfiring thru the carb I would think lean.

Just thinking about it I would first think some crud got into the flote control kind of thing. Will need rebuilding I'm thinking. Not hard if you have a manual.
'99 bike with 5K may have bad gas.
May not have much fuel filter left.

Just some thoughts. Be careful around fuel now. Work on it outside and don't smoke.

I can say that cause I'm so old.

 

Stuart, you say it has only 1200 miles on the clock, we call it the odometer. So what year is the bike? Sounds like it's new and should be under warranty from the dealer specially if they put on the pipes and filter. Did you start having this problem right after you put on the new SE pipes and filter?

 

Sorry 12000miles, it's an 05 plate, carb model.