1941 wl
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: PA
1941 wl
Greetings Gents:
I have a 1941 WL(?)/WLA (civilian non bobber). Recently run into issue which has perplexed me. Here's background info: replaced spark plugs , points and oil change. Added gas mix of 75% Sunoco premium unleaded & 25% Sunoco 100/110 leaded (5 gallon can) for test run. It kick starts and idles with no problems. When started taking it down the road it seems to jerk and lose power @ higher gear (2nd & 3rd) when shifting & especially going uphill jerking, kicking, missing and lots backfires but keeps running VERY ROUGHLY. Got back home let it sit till next day, checked all gaps (.025) on plugs , points & seemed fine. It cranked & idled fine until gave it more gas...it backfired missing running rough consistently and noticed little bit of flashing coming out of front cylinder head exhaust by pipe. Am baffled since am just neophyte able to do only basic maintenance. Any ideas what's possible problem(s) I can correct.
Thanks everyone for your time & inputs.
Live to ride!
Ride to live!
Watch ur backs,
Iko
I have a 1941 WL(?)/WLA (civilian non bobber). Recently run into issue which has perplexed me. Here's background info: replaced spark plugs , points and oil change. Added gas mix of 75% Sunoco premium unleaded & 25% Sunoco 100/110 leaded (5 gallon can) for test run. It kick starts and idles with no problems. When started taking it down the road it seems to jerk and lose power @ higher gear (2nd & 3rd) when shifting & especially going uphill jerking, kicking, missing and lots backfires but keeps running VERY ROUGHLY. Got back home let it sit till next day, checked all gaps (.025) on plugs , points & seemed fine. It cranked & idled fine until gave it more gas...it backfired missing running rough consistently and noticed little bit of flashing coming out of front cylinder head exhaust by pipe. Am baffled since am just neophyte able to do only basic maintenance. Any ideas what's possible problem(s) I can correct.
Thanks everyone for your time & inputs.
Live to ride!
Ride to live!
Watch ur backs,
Iko
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,503
Likes: 7,807
From: Long Island, New York
Agree with all above but also must throw in manifold leak. If the manifold is leaking, she is never going to run correctly and you will be chasing your tail. Bubble test is in order so you have a good place to start. Manifold nuts can leek, PEEK seals can fix that. Also the nipples as installed into the cylinders can leak, much bigger issue, but fixable. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,133
Likes: 2,528
From: CT/FL
What exactly are you describing? Massive exhaust leak at the cylinder? Or flames coming out the end of the pipe?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 322
Likes: 92
From: Cumming, GA
Sounds like misfire from bad points, plug wires, coil, or plugs?
Try regular gas. It is possible the very high octane is aggravating, or causing a problem.
Just my 2 cents
terry
Try regular gas. It is possible the very high octane is aggravating, or causing a problem.
Just my 2 cents
terry
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,503
Likes: 7,807
From: Long Island, New York
A lot of guys run regular 87 octane gas, higher octanes where not available when these bike were new. I go back an forth, but lower octane seems logical.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 322
Likes: 92
From: Cumming, GA
High octane only helps when you run a high compression ratio.
There is no benefit to running high octane in a low compression engine.
I used to run premium in my racing go karts (1960's vintage) until I noticed the manual said that 80 octane was fine.
I switched to non-ethanol with about 87 and I swear they run better.
I'm thinking the high octane might be a little harder to 'light' and it aggravates a weakness from somewhere in his ignition system.
Or, maybe gas he used is old/bad.
There is no benefit to running high octane in a low compression engine.
I used to run premium in my racing go karts (1960's vintage) until I noticed the manual said that 80 octane was fine.
I switched to non-ethanol with about 87 and I swear they run better.
I'm thinking the high octane might be a little harder to 'light' and it aggravates a weakness from somewhere in his ignition system.
Or, maybe gas he used is old/bad.