Sportster fits again!
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Sportster fits again!
Went for what was supposed to be a nice afternoon ride. Ever since I got the valve guides fixed I have been riding further & further. Got out today & gassed her up & off I went. Got out about 20 miles & turned around to come home & about a mile away it decided not to run above an idle. I stopped & let it run for a few minutes & then poof, it ran perfect. How finicky are old Sporties on gas? I was thinking it might be sub quality. I checked the ignition but there's not much to it, it's a Mallory Unilite. Got the gas at a Shell station & is probably 10-15% ethanol. Ideas?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
I do not think it has anything to do with the quality of the gas. It idled a few minutes then ran OK? Bad gas is not going to do that.
It is either something in the ignition or the carb, and I suspect the carb is the problem. I wonder if your float stuck in the closed position for some reason?
Next time it does this (if it ever does) keep the bike idling and give the float a good wrap with a wrench to see if the float dislodges.
Most times stuck floats stick in the open position, and result in the fuel overflowing. What you have is clearly not that problem though............. pg
It is either something in the ignition or the carb, and I suspect the carb is the problem. I wonder if your float stuck in the closed position for some reason?
Next time it does this (if it ever does) keep the bike idling and give the float a good wrap with a wrench to see if the float dislodges.
Most times stuck floats stick in the open position, and result in the fuel overflowing. What you have is clearly not that problem though............. pg
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: West Tennessee
It could also be a vapor lock in the fuel lines. Mine would do that all the time until I got the fuel line run correctly.
Bike would turn on and run at idle but once I pulled the throttle it would die. Might just be that vapor lock went away on its own at idle and began to work correctly.
Bike would turn on and run at idle but once I pulled the throttle it would die. Might just be that vapor lock went away on its own at idle and began to work correctly.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 990
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From: lakeside ca.
nitrogen is not a liquid except at sub zero degrees
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Now that is a relative and astute comment!
Liquid nitrogen boils off (turns to a gas) at minus 321 °F, so you better ride fast before it disappears!
pg
Liquid nitrogen boils off (turns to a gas) at minus 321 °F, so you better ride fast before it disappears!
pg
Oops
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Pantego,NC.
I have been having problems with the unilite on my painters ironhead,similiar to what you describe but id put my money on trash in the carb or vapor lock.Check youre gas cap make sure its venting (depending on year)and check the vent line inside the tank.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Tulsa Ok
In retrospect it seems like the float to me too. I think I'll just get a new needle & seat & make sure the float doesn't stick when I install it. Thanks for the help!
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