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New air cleaner backfiring

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Old Jul 9, 2016 | 02:58 PM
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Default New air cleaner backfiring

I just installed a heavy breather air cleaner and tuned my Sportster 48 with the basic map for shortshots and upgraded air cleaner using a Fuelpak fp3. Yesterday the bike ran great, no more decel backfiring and smoother running. Today I took it for a ride to the store and when I went to start it again, it backfired through the air cleaner. It has never done that before. What could be causing this? The new air cleaner assembly was missing a bolt, so it is bolted down tightly to the intake minus the last screw. I'm headed to the store to pick one up now, so I'm going to see if that was the problem. Does anyone else have experience with this happening. Could it be a bad air cleaner or not tuned properly? Or something else?

Any guidance would greatly be appreciated!
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Old Jul 9, 2016 | 04:38 PM
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Put that last bolt in and try it again.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2016 | 04:43 PM
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I put the last bolt in and started it up and went for a ride, it's ok so far, but I'll post again in a day or so and let you know what happens.
Thanks
 
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Old Jul 9, 2016 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by OldEnuf2NoBtr
Put that last bolt in and try it again.
yep, this. They're all there for a reason.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2016 | 04:04 PM
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I would think that the last bolt wouldn't be causing the backfire on startup. The modified airflow during startup would be insignificant with a single missing bolt. Under running conditions when gulping lots of air is a different story, but Ill bet you have an issue with your tune. Don't know if the fuelpak allows for timing adjustment during startup but sounds more ignition to me.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2016 | 04:34 PM
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May be inhaling air thru the bolt hole...
 
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 10:08 AM
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Mine backfired through my air cleaner filter the other day when I started the bike and idled poor backfired then died. Started no problem again with the en richer pulled out a little for a better start idle. I have a carburetor on the bike.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 10:13 AM
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Run an auto-tune on it. Then run an another autotune and all will be perfect.

Btw it will run like crap while it is auto tuning.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2016 | 06:03 PM
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Thanks everyone for the input! I installed the last bolt that was missing and so far it has not backfired. I will do an auto tune real soon and see what happens, although I'm kind of like if it ain't broke don't fix it. It seems to be running really good now. Good to know that the bike will run like **** while it's on auto tune. I did not kno that so I'll keep it in mind. I'll update here in a few weeks with any new info I have.
Safe riding everyone!
 
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Old Jul 14, 2016 | 07:25 PM
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Took bike out today and it backfired again through the air cleaner. It happened again when I started the bike after I got gas so the engine was hot. I'm going to try doing an autotune this weekend to see if that helps.
 
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