General Topics/Tech Tips Discussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.

help.....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2005 | 12:58 AM
  #1  
sleeper's Avatar
sleeper
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default help.....

hi fellow riders,

i just purchased a 91 softail about a month ago, but yesterday when i started her up it was kind of coughing and farting in the exaust, and poping a few flames out the pipes when i was reving a bit hard .... i checked oil level, pulled air cleaner out, was all good. so i tried again today, cranked her up.....and same again some big bang and flames out og the pipes.......

help please......
 
Old Jan 22, 2005 | 12:29 PM
  #2  
pococj's Avatar
pococj
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,472
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Default RE: help.....

A little more history would be nice here. Running OK before this? How many miles? Recently change gas octane or brand?

Basic things to look at: Battery condition - lousy battery can cause weird things to happen with electronics; check the spark plugs, wires, & coil; timing changed for some reason - does '91 have electronically controlled timing, or is it mechanical advance?
 
Old Jan 22, 2005 | 12:50 PM
  #3  
Ironhead's Avatar
Ironhead
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 2
From:
Default RE: help.....

sounds like fouled plugs to me.
 
Old Jan 22, 2005 | 11:21 PM
  #4  
Sincecrazy's Avatar
Sincecrazy
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
Default RE: help.....

Id have to agree with Ironhead. It would be a good place to start.
 
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 09:48 AM
  #5  
sleeper's Avatar
sleeper
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default RE: help.....

hi all,
thanks for the replies.....i did checked the plugs and like ironhead mentionned it was the plugs....i kind feel embarrassed, please forgive my ignorence about knowledge with harleys as it is my first one and mechanic also.....but i will get there with time.
thank you all for the replies and advice....
thumbs up
 
Old Jan 23, 2005 | 10:31 AM
  #6  
Sincecrazy's Avatar
Sincecrazy
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
Default RE: help.....

No problem, glad it was a cheap, easy fix. Thats part of what this forum is for, to help people out.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
awesomedaaan
Welcome Area Only
11
Aug 13, 2013 01:39 PM
bassist1217
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
1
Jul 15, 2012 06:16 PM
joechief711
Touring Models
17
Nov 16, 2009 02:01 PM
grat
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
4
Nov 12, 2008 02:21 PM
Crank
Exhaust System Topics
4
Nov 29, 2007 09:05 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:06 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE