Bike started backfiring then took a dump
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
This could be very likely. I was revving higher than my good sense normally allows me to. Mostly just when merging to get on the highway tho. And this would cause the same as symptoms as those I described? Can I re-adjust them or do I have to buy new ones?
Prolly wont have much time to work on it now cause I'm going out to celebrate tonight. I'll let yall know how it goes. Happy St. Patty's Day!
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey,FL
Yes this will cause these symptoms and no there is no adjustment. You can usually find a whole kit including points, condenser, points plate,screws and advance weights for around 40-50 bucks just check ebay.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
About to go investigate. Be back
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 39
From: Assonet MA
Advance unit
I had the same thing happen with my 74 XLH.
Repaired a broken spring and all was corrected. But consider this. I bought a complete kit so I could replace the whole unit and problem did not go away. The weights on the new unit were a crappy fit. Cheap Chinese junk. I put the new springs on the old weights and all was well. In a nut shell I paid $40 and used the $2 springs.
Something to consider.
Bucaman
Repaired a broken spring and all was corrected. But consider this. I bought a complete kit so I could replace the whole unit and problem did not go away. The weights on the new unit were a crappy fit. Cheap Chinese junk. I put the new springs on the old weights and all was well. In a nut shell I paid $40 and used the $2 springs.
Something to consider.
Bucaman
I... I bought a complete kit so I could replace the whole unit and problem did not go away. The weights on the new unit were a crappy fit. Cheap Chinese junk. I put the new springs on the old weights and all was well. In a nut shell I paid $40 and used the $2 springs ...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Okay well I finally had a just a little time today to check a few things out!
1st I Pulled carb off to check for intake leaks and fuel delivery.
Grabbed a handful full throttle got a small squirt of petrol right in my face.. Twist again with same result but with a little less in my eye than before... Cool get'n fuel!
Next pulled plugs, gave it a kick, see fairly fat blue sparks from both plugs as they ignite simultaneously. Although while observing piston position in relation to ignition spark the pistons did not appear to be at TDC when they fired but appeared closer to BDC which I thought was strange.. Based on nothing more than my own logic/ignorance. So far so good! (OR perhaps timing problem?)
I put plugs back with ign/fuel petcock both off, then give it three good kicks to prime cylinder, turn ign on full choke and kick a few times nothing. Next I go half choke twist full throttle twice and kick and it started firing pretty consistently each time like I did like it was ganna start up any min. Shortly/almost immediately right after I had finished following thru with a kick it'd run for the kick and maybe a sec after but would die. FRUSTRATING!
Anyway I kept this up till I got thirsty and pissed off enough to take a sec a smoke break and also ask if yall had any ideas based on this info before I get to messing with timing/points and possibly make things better/worse?
1st I Pulled carb off to check for intake leaks and fuel delivery.
Grabbed a handful full throttle got a small squirt of petrol right in my face.. Twist again with same result but with a little less in my eye than before... Cool get'n fuel!
Next pulled plugs, gave it a kick, see fairly fat blue sparks from both plugs as they ignite simultaneously. Although while observing piston position in relation to ignition spark the pistons did not appear to be at TDC when they fired but appeared closer to BDC which I thought was strange.. Based on nothing more than my own logic/ignorance. So far so good! (OR perhaps timing problem?)
I put plugs back with ign/fuel petcock both off, then give it three good kicks to prime cylinder, turn ign on full choke and kick a few times nothing. Next I go half choke twist full throttle twice and kick and it started firing pretty consistently each time like I did like it was ganna start up any min. Shortly/almost immediately right after I had finished following thru with a kick it'd run for the kick and maybe a sec after but would die. FRUSTRATING!
Anyway I kept this up till I got thirsty and pissed off enough to take a sec a smoke break and also ask if yall had any ideas based on this info before I get to messing with timing/points and possibly make things better/worse?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey,FL
Check your advance weights. Make a mark on your points plate and the inside of the points cone and then remove the points plate to check your advance weights. My bike did the same thing and one of the springs were broken on the weights.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
10-4. Damn.. Aight, guess I'm ganna get on it then. Thanks for all the tips yall! Gotta dremel a slot to fit a flat head screw driver or something into the screw holding on the points cover plate... (was once a hex bit type screw thats been stripped/mutilated.) Anyway, here goes...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Well once again yall were spot on about those springs and points... All hell broke loose behind my points cover!
Got the cover off only to discover this lurking behind it.... Dammit man!
Is this points plate considered cashed or what? I think its got maybe a little life left..!
Heres what was left of my poor springs... !
And the important part! Can anyone illustrate how these springs are supposed to be hooked up please?!
And can I score a new set at home depot possibly? I didn't ever have the pleasure of ever seeing them in any orientation other than rolling around in the bottom of my points compartment. So I can only guess..
Also gotta get a new hold down bolt (prolly from HD?) yeah,.. my dumbass snapped off the old one while attempting to tighten it back down...
Thankfully, got the broken screw part back out without freaking out to bad! Ganna need another one of those damn screws now to... Dammit
Thanks again for all yall's help! I appreciate it more than u kno... wait never mind u prolly do! Cant wait to get er going down the freeway again...
Got the cover off only to discover this lurking behind it.... Dammit man!
Is this points plate considered cashed or what? I think its got maybe a little life left..!
Heres what was left of my poor springs... !
And the important part! Can anyone illustrate how these springs are supposed to be hooked up please?!
And can I score a new set at home depot possibly? I didn't ever have the pleasure of ever seeing them in any orientation other than rolling around in the bottom of my points compartment. So I can only guess..
Also gotta get a new hold down bolt (prolly from HD?) yeah,.. my dumbass snapped off the old one while attempting to tighten it back down...
Thankfully, got the broken screw part back out without freaking out to bad! Ganna need another one of those damn screws now to... DammitThanks again for all yall's help! I appreciate it more than u kno... wait never mind u prolly do! Cant wait to get er going down the freeway again...
Last edited by Ironkidzsled; Mar 27, 2010 at 10:47 AM.