01 Fatboy just shuts off
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Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Long Island, NY
01 Fatboy just shuts off
I have a new to me 2001 Fatboy. I've had it for a few weeks, today while riding the bike it just shut off. No warning at all. Happened once while cruising and 3 additional times while accelerating. Bike doesn't appear to have any major issues.
i haven't really done any work to the bike since getting it. Just rode a few hundred miles total, had the carb float get stuck open once and all the gas came out. Other than that it's been pretty good. no codes at all.
Looses all power and just shuts off, I pull over and wait a few minutes. Play with the switches and eventually it'll come back on. Maybe 5 minutes later or so.
any ideas?
im not very good mechanically with bikes but want to try and fix this myself if possible rather than going to a mechanic.
thanks!
i haven't really done any work to the bike since getting it. Just rode a few hundred miles total, had the carb float get stuck open once and all the gas came out. Other than that it's been pretty good. no codes at all.
Looses all power and just shuts off, I pull over and wait a few minutes. Play with the switches and eventually it'll come back on. Maybe 5 minutes later or so.
any ideas?
im not very good mechanically with bikes but want to try and fix this myself if possible rather than going to a mechanic.
thanks!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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How much gas was/is in the tank? I ask because the ethanol tends to eat through the fuel line in the tank causing pin holes. When the fuel dips below a certain level it konks out. It's a fairly simple job to take on, shouldn't cost an arm and a leg if you have an indy shop do it for you
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
If the float stuck, I would start there before going other places. You say you are not very mechanical pretty much rules out a carb rebuild. Not a good place to learn. You need to get a good service manual.
Why someone got rid of it probably. Rebuild the carb and clean out the tank and petcock filter. It should have a vacuum cutoff on the petcock, so I assumed it flooded while running, so that is a pretty serious stick and could be killing it. Check your engine oil for gas contamination.
Why someone got rid of it probably. Rebuild the carb and clean out the tank and petcock filter. It should have a vacuum cutoff on the petcock, so I assumed it flooded while running, so that is a pretty serious stick and could be killing it. Check your engine oil for gas contamination.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 18, 2017 at 08:05 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Long Island, NY
How much gas was/is in the tank? I ask because the ethanol tends to eat through the fuel line in the tank causing pin holes. When the fuel dips below a certain level it konks out. It's a fairly simple job to take on, shouldn't cost an arm and a leg if you have an indy shop do it for you
the part I find odd is kts loosing 100% of the power to the bike, no ignition, no lights, nothing, as if the battery was disconnected.
on a side note, I could and will rebuild the carb. I did it on my sportster last year with no problems.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Central TX
Both suggestions above are good places to start. The ignition switch also can go bad and cause similar problems. I was on a 5 hour trip one day and my bike cut out on me several times at highway speed. It would start up again and ride for awhile and suddenly do it again. You might be able to start bike and wiggle the ignition switch and see if it cuts off. I bought an aftermarket switch for around $35 and changed it In the hotel parking lot. Easy swap if that is your problem.
Elite HDF Member
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Approach using the KISS method, definitely check battery cables first, any idea how old the battery is?
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From: Long Island, NY
Both suggestions above are good places to start. The ignition switch also can go bad and cause similar problems. I was on a 5 hour trip one day and my bike cut out on me several times at highway speed. It would start up again and ride for awhile and suddenly do it again. You might be able to start bike and wiggle the ignition switch and see if it cuts off. I bought an aftermarket switch for around $35 and changed it In the hotel parking lot. Easy swap if that is your problem.
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Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Long Island, NY
I'll try the simple approach. Battery was manufactured 6/17 and installed in 7/17 by the previous owner.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Rochester NY
Both suggestions above are good places to start. The ignition switch also can go bad and cause similar problems. I was on a 5 hour trip one day and my bike cut out on me several times at highway speed. It would start up again and ride for awhile and suddenly do it again. You might be able to start bike and wiggle the ignition switch and see if it cuts off. I bought an aftermarket switch for around $35 and changed it In the hotel parking lot. Easy swap if that is your problem.
except i cleaned my contacts and put on separate female connectors. $1.50 fix.
Last edited by Riffraff123; Sep 18, 2017 at 08:46 PM. Reason: Add comment