I'm having a problem with my 05 carburated heritage softail. At start up and for a short while after start up it idles down around 900-950 rpm. The longer i ride the faster it wants to idle, eventually idleing at about 1250-1300rpm. I've adjusted throttle cables but that had no effect. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Any chance the enrichener is not fully closing? That would cause this issue.

 

I'd look at the carb tuning of the air/fuel mixture and idle.

When bike is hot, incorrect settings that work well cold/startup can cause either poor idling or higher idling after bike is hot. try getting the bike fully warmed up / hot and then adjust the air/fuel, the idle etc per typical CV tuning methods.

check out the first three websites on this google topic search- the info should get you going in the right direction on finding/fixing issue. https://www.google.com/search?q=cv+c...utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

It's most likely something as simple as a vacuum leak. Start with an inspection of all the small hoses particularly those between the throttle blade and the head. Eliminate the simplest causes first, or as I like to say, find out what is NOT the problem

 

^^ good advice and reminded me of something- sometimes a tiny defect in an aged hose or intake gasket won't be evident when cold, but presents when bike is hot and hoses soften up / metal expands etc. I had that happen on my Evo - turned out to be the intake gaskets to head. No leak until bike was fully hot. Then idle was erratic, higher than normal.

 

Thanks for great advice. Didn't consider vacuum leak. If that is the problem I better get a handle on that before I melt a piston. Also going to look at enricher.
Thanks Again

 

if the problem was too rich...it would idle lower ...want to die....sounds like you have a lean condition ...which is a vacuum leak somewhere ...warm the bike up and spray carb cleaner around the intake gaskets (be very careful not to spray in are near air filter ) will cause false readings ...if there is a leak the motor will idle down or if really bad ..may kill ...check/replace any bad cracked rubber hoses ...
good luck ...

 

Adjusting the cables doesn't adjust the idle. What it does is adjust how much free play you have in the twist grip. Have you tried adjusting the idle screw? Not the idle/air mixture screw but the actual idle speed screw? If you mess with the idle/air screw before you get the carb adjusted right you'll mess up everything. But before you adjust anything make sure you don't have any intake leaks.

 

You almost certainly have a leak between the carburetor and the intake manifold. I experienced what you are describing on my carbureted Evo a few years ago.

 

Vacuum leak would be my guess. With engine cold, lightly mist WD40 around carb and hose area and note if RPM changes.