When you rev up the engine without load how long should it take for it to go back to idle? For example, it's idling at 1K you rev it up to 2K and wait how long for it to return to 1K?

 

Well it should return fairly fast, If not and it tends to stay idled up, many times that is a sign of a lean condtion, such as a vaccum leak more often the intake seals will cause this. But make sure your throttle is returning freely, and that you have good snap back on grip.

 

It takes longer to go back down than any other engine I've seen. On top of that the bike has been running hot and recently it has seemed to run sluggish. To put it into perspective my cousins bike (a mostly stock road king) is faster than my sportster. The dealer claims to have done a lean test and it's fine. However, I can't really trust them. These are the guys who have told me they did things they have never done.

On a side note, I think the primary chain may need adjustment. I have told them to check it out three times and they have claimed that they have adjusted the chain or it doesn't need adjustment. However, when I'm creeping the bike at 7 mph it will jerk periodically. The bike will run "rough" until I put a passenger on the back and then it will smooth out.

Any input would be appreciated. Something about this bike isn't right and I'm trying to figure out the problem.

 

Do you have a manual? Why not measure the chain adjustment yourself? You don't trust your dealer, and from the looks of it, I don't blame you...

The jerking your are talking about...is the throttle at idle at this low speed? What gear are you in? It doesn't seem entirely normal, but no telling...is your throttle and idle cables properly adjusted? If it's that sluggish, you may not be getting the throttle body to open all the way due to a poor adjustment, conversely, if the idle cable is improperly set, you may not be getting a fully closed position either, though it sounds more like the former...if this is the problem at all.

I would get the manual, and start checking things over if you don't already have them. Both these adjustments I talked about are very simple procedures and you can do yourself with just a little bit of patience.

Mac

 

HMMMM low on power and seems lean, How about a leaking diaphram in the fuel petcock??? I have seen this a few times. The fuel petcock is operated by vaccum, so it you have a hole in it the engine is getting air and the fuel valve is not opening all the way= lean & lean condition. Worth a look see and it would be very helpful for you to buy a manual. A simple test for the petcock you can do your self without and a vaccum test pump. Get a small peice of rubber line and suck on the line does it hold vaccum ?? if not there is a place to start.

 

Yes, I got a service manual as soon as I bought the bike.

That's what I'm going to do right now. I was reluctant to do it myself as I have never done this before and didn't want to screw things up. Also, it's not my job to do it. The dealer should worry about it. I already paid for it by paying for the 1K mi. service. But learning to do it now is as good a time as any since the dealer doesn't want to do it.

Yes, the throttle was at idle and the bike was pulling itself at 7mph. It wouldn't go any slower.

Who knows at this point? Everytime I take it in they mess with the idle and throttle and brakes and who knows what else. However, I'm going to check them.


Now for the revving. The bike is idling at approx. 1K rpm right now. When I rev it up to 1200 rpm it will take approx. 2-3 sec. to return back to idle. When I rev it up to 2K rpm it will take 5-7 sec. to return back to idle. I have tried messing with the throttle lock and can't get it to drop quicker.

Thanks Hdwrench. I'm going to do that as well in addition to an intake leak test.

Great suggestions. I'm going to do what you said and update you with the results. Thanks a ton.

 

I just found out I can engage first gear without using any gas and have the bike crawl below 10mph with my hand off the gas and still have her idle at 1K rpm. Is that normal?

 

You have gotten good advice above, you could have a pinched or binding cable as well, crank the bike up and do a full left to right handlebar turn to each stop slowly, see if the idle changes any. I would also lube the cables and do an inspection where the cable comes out of the ferrules, you could have a slightly frayed cable or a kink causing your problem also after the lubing and inspection set the cables per the manual. Like HD wrench said the throttle should snap back freely and be very smooth, you should be able to hear the stops hit at idle and WOT positions with the motor off. Are you carbed or EFI?

 

Carbed. And you are right that I have been given good advise. I am in the process of checking everything out and seeing what I find.

That's a good idea. I'll check that out also as I have recently gotten the tach installed and a pinched cable is very possible.

I have noticed the idle change a little depending on elevation. Meaning standing uphill or level. The idle has also "frozen" temporarily at 1200 rpm when I've ridden the bike for awhile in first gear.

 

I was meaning for you to see if the idle changed any when you move the bars from stop to stop. Since you are carbed, you could have a slide that is sticking a little, or a slightly bent needle. Have you had the carb apart lately?