Hi All. First, I'm a new user so I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong place. I went through some threads and can't find anything similar to what I have going on. My bike is a 1994 Heritage Softail, 80 in. EVO, owned for 1 1/2 years, it sat in a garage for a few years before I bought it and I had some work to do to get it road worthy. What I did last year and what I have is:
New CV40 clone carb, stock jetting, stock pipes, stock HD ignition, installed new intake manifold gaskets, old ones were leaking, de-rusted and re-coated gas tank, new fluids naturally, turn signal module but I don't think relates to the issue. I ran all summer last year with no issues. It started quickly and idled smoothly when cold and ran like clock when it warmed up. For winter storage I changed the fluids, new plugs, a little Marvel's in the cylinders and drained the gas from the tanks and carb.

This spring she started right and ran great for about 200 miles. I started to get a spit or rough spot when cruising about half throttle and low load. Low speed was smooth and full throttle was smooth so I figured I had some dirt in the low speed jet. After a complete carb cleaning it ran more rough and now no start, just backfires through the carb and exhaust. Had spark and I could smell gas on the plugs.
I saw video relating the problem to to the cam sensor pick up plate failing, I took a look at mine and it looked burned and there was brown goo seeping out so I replaced it with a DS OEM replacement but still no start.

So, I have spark and gas. Can the ignition timing be so far off to cause this? I don't think the valve train jumped time, the problem came on gradually. I don't know what I'm missing here and I sure would appreciate any insight. Thank you.

 

CV clone Carb would be the first thing I would replace....put old one back or borrow one.

 

Did you replace the sensor at about the same place where the last one was? If you are getting spark and gas, then your timing is probably off if it's not starting.
Also, I have no experience with those clone CV carbs. I'm sure they work fine. The Chinese do a great job at reverse engineering, and use cheaper material, but it's a simple carb and probably works well. Take off CV carbs are not too hard to find, and it doesn't cost much to R&R one, if in decent shape.

 

Thank you both. I marked the old sensor and the case then matched the marks with the new sensor to hopefully get them close. I rebuilt the original carb but someone took the needle over the years it sat before I got the bike but I can get a hold of one. Plan to do a compression test too. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Okay. I installed the original CV carb after deep cleaning and new jets and needle. Original jet sizes, gas is getting to the cylinder. Tested compression, 160 on the rear cylinder, 170 on the front. Bright blue spark. Still nothing but a big backfire. Anyone ever have trouble with the ignition control module?
I'm grasping at straws now.

 

New plugs???

 

Funny you should ask. Mine were pretty fouled but new but I read a thread that said even if they spark they may not under compression so I picked a new pair. She fired right up and I'm feeling silly that it was so simple.