Bike dying
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Stage I
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bike dying
Hey y’all,
I’m looking for some help being pointed in the direction of how to troubleshoot an issue. I have a 1998 sportster 1200c and am occasionally having the bike die at a light. This issue started last year and I replaced plugs, wires, and coil but the issue persists. The bike will be running completely fine before it dies. When this first started happening it would start back up after 10 minutes or so but when it happened yesterday it would not start back up after 20+ minutes. I verified I had plenty of gas, pulled the air cleaner off and verified air and fuel were getting into the carb, headlight and speedo did not dim at all. Unfortunately I didn’t have a plug socket with me when it happened last. I’m kind of at a loss and would appreciate any pointers.
Thanks in advance.
I’m looking for some help being pointed in the direction of how to troubleshoot an issue. I have a 1998 sportster 1200c and am occasionally having the bike die at a light. This issue started last year and I replaced plugs, wires, and coil but the issue persists. The bike will be running completely fine before it dies. When this first started happening it would start back up after 10 minutes or so but when it happened yesterday it would not start back up after 20+ minutes. I verified I had plenty of gas, pulled the air cleaner off and verified air and fuel were getting into the carb, headlight and speedo did not dim at all. Unfortunately I didn’t have a plug socket with me when it happened last. I’m kind of at a loss and would appreciate any pointers.
Thanks in advance.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 575
Likes: 190
From: USA
Electronic ignition modules have been known to be a fail point. Harley stopped making them because they could not resolve the failure under heat exposure as they age. You're on your own finding an ignition module. I have used the Ultima with great success and if you purchase the cable you can tune your curve as well.
Find the model for your bike and get to it. Takes some knowledge in the electrical and static timing arena, not a bolt on and go item.
Find the model for your bike and get to it. Takes some knowledge in the electrical and static timing arena, not a bolt on and go item.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
Next time it dies, slowly open the gas cap and listen for a woosh of air coming out. Tighten cap and start it. Vapor lock. Might be non-vented cap or blocked gas tank breather tube. ALSO check the vacuum operated petcock for gas flow. A bad petcock diaphragm will shut off the fuel flow. Anything else, clean and rebuild the carb.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,434
Likes: 3,716
From: backwoods
Carry an extra spark plug. Just pop the wire off the plug, put it on spare, and see if you got spark. I saw mechanic friend do this. And I felt stupid all these years pulling plugs to check for spark.
I know money is money, but anything you replace on an old bike, is less that can fail. Bike is almost 30 years old. Coil would have been my first guess, and then ignition.
I know money is money, but anything you replace on an old bike, is less that can fail. Bike is almost 30 years old. Coil would have been my first guess, and then ignition.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,434
Likes: 3,716
From: backwoods
Does a 98 XL have fuel ignition? This is where the alphabet helps.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
I suspect that either there is no fuel ignition or no fuel.. 
Which letter?
Which letter?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 2,163
From: West Coast
I am gonna need a bit more color on that one. Can't quite connect your dots. Need more data points to tell if it is a linear or exponential line you are plotting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,434
Likes: 3,716
From: backwoods
First, I am taking a good guess his 1998 XL does not have fuel injection. But I do not know for sure. But if you learn the alphabet and use it, you will know. Before 2007 bikes had a I if they had fuel injection. End the lesson.