Where do I start?
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mountains of Virginia
Where do I start?
Hello Folks! newbie here. After coming home from work for years and putting all my change in a jar I was finally able to purchase another Harley after the one I had started nickeling and diming me to death.
The bike ran real well for about two weeks after purchase and then it begins. Problems listed below:
1. Will not idle at all
2. Stutters after taking off in first gear then goes
3.Makes like a coughing sound but not the same more like a pfft
It starts right up and will run with the choke out but as soon as you start closing it engine wants to die.
After doing some research there seems like there could be so many things causing these problems but I don't want this one to start doing the same thing the other one did. Spend alot of money on people guessing what is wrong.
One mechanic says it could be a head gasket another one says intake leak.
So my ? is Where Do I start?
Thanks Folks!
The bike ran real well for about two weeks after purchase and then it begins. Problems listed below:
1. Will not idle at all
2. Stutters after taking off in first gear then goes
3.Makes like a coughing sound but not the same more like a pfft
It starts right up and will run with the choke out but as soon as you start closing it engine wants to die.
After doing some research there seems like there could be so many things causing these problems but I don't want this one to start doing the same thing the other one did. Spend alot of money on people guessing what is wrong.
One mechanic says it could be a head gasket another one says intake leak.
So my ? is Where Do I start?
Thanks Folks!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
Likes: 2,607
From: san antonio
Hello Folks! newbie here. After coming home from work for years and putting all my change in a jar I was finally able to purchase another Harley after the one I had started nickeling and diming me to death.
The bike ran real well for about two weeks after purchase and then it begins. Problems listed below:
1. Will not idle at all
2. Stutters after taking off in first gear then goes
3.Makes like a coughing sound but not the same more like a pfft
It starts right up and will run with the choke out but as soon as you start closing it engine wants to die.
After doing some research there seems like there could be so many things causing these problems but I don't want this one to start doing the same thing the other one did. Spend alot of money on people guessing what is wrong.
One mechanic says it could be a head gasket another one says intake leak.
So my ? is Where Do I start?
Thanks Folks!
The bike ran real well for about two weeks after purchase and then it begins. Problems listed below:
1. Will not idle at all
2. Stutters after taking off in first gear then goes
3.Makes like a coughing sound but not the same more like a pfft
It starts right up and will run with the choke out but as soon as you start closing it engine wants to die.
After doing some research there seems like there could be so many things causing these problems but I don't want this one to start doing the same thing the other one did. Spend alot of money on people guessing what is wrong.
One mechanic says it could be a head gasket another one says intake leak.
So my ? is Where Do I start?
Thanks Folks!
Get all that done and let us know how it goes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
I would pull the carb, take it apart and check jets, emulsion tube and all passages to insure they were clear. If the cap over the A/F adjustor is still in place, remove it. Check the rubber diaphram for cracks or holes, check and set the float level and just make sure all the internals are OK. Before you pull the carb, check for intake leaks at the intake manifold where it seals against the heads. Use WD40 around the seals and if there is a leak the idle speed will pickup, that is if you can get it to idle.
Get all that done and let us know how it goes.
Get all that done and let us know how it goes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
I would pull the carb, take it apart and check jets, emulsion tube and all passages to insure they were clear. If the cap over the A/F adjustor is still in place, remove it. Check the rubber diaphram for cracks or holes, check and set the float level and just make sure all the internals are OK. Before you pull the carb, check for intake leaks at the intake manifold where it seals against the heads. Use WD40 around the seals and if there is a leak the idle speed will pickup, that is if you can get it to idle.
Get all that done and let us know how it goes.
Get all that done and let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mountains of Virginia
Thanks Folks! Think I'll start with the plugs since I don't know what a A/F adjustor is and am not mechanically inclined.
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mountains of Virginia
OK Folks, today started it up with the best half or worse half depending on which day it is and noticed something.
When holding my hand on the right side exhaust where it exits it feels hot, left side cold.
Does this help a little bit more?
When holding my hand on the right side exhaust where it exits it feels hot, left side cold.
Does this help a little bit more?
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,776
Likes: 2,607
From: san antonio
Instead of right side/left side, use brake side/clutch side.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mountains of Virginia
Excuse me for being so inconsiderate. I didn't know that some bikes might have the clutch lever on the right side.
That must be my problem, have the brake on instead of the clutch pulled in.
You are an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That must be my problem, have the brake on instead of the clutch pulled in.
You are an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!