Revs
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth TX
RE: Revs
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.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Revs
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.
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: Revs
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
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
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth TX
RE: Revs
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.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Revs
Do you have a manual?
Why not measure the chain adjustment yourself?
The jerking your are talking about...is the throttle at idle at this low speed
is your throttle and idle cables properly adjusted
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.
How about a leaking diaphram in the fuel petcock???
Great suggestions. I'm going to do what you said and update you with the results. Thanks a ton.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Revs
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?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
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From: My house
RE: Revs
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?
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Revs
Are you carbed or EFI?
You have gotten good advice above, you could have a pinched or binding cable as well
see if the idle changes any
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
Likes: 6
From: My house
RE: Revs
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?