93 Heritage Softail woes
93 Heritage Softail woes
Morning all, I have a 93 Heritage Softail Classic I picked up recently because the owner was tired of dealing with some problems. Well I've fixed the trans and now I'm on to the fuel problem. The mikuni carb was installed in 2016 along with a 95 kit and six speed. The whole thing has about 500 miles on it. He told me it always ran quite rich. After cleaning the carburetor it leaks out of the drain at all times. The needle and seat fall apart as they should when clean. I've ordered a pressure tool to see if I need a new oring or if it's the actual needle and seat causing the problem . it leaks with the new one as well as the old cleaned up one.
I gues my question is this If i can't get the needle and seat to stop leaking what's a good carb to go with for the 93 model?
I gues my question is this If i can't get the needle and seat to stop leaking what's a good carb to go with for the 93 model?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,114
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Here's a pretty good video on float adjustment and testing.. The Mik is a very good carburetor.. I would fix it and make sure it has the proper jets.. Also here is a link to the manual to help out with too rich and all necessary settings.
https://www.mikunipower.com/Manuals/HSR42-48_Manual.pdf
The first video helps to explain needle adjustment.
The second video explains float adjustment very well..
https://www.mikunipower.com/Manuals/HSR42-48_Manual.pdf
The first video helps to explain needle adjustment.
The second video explains float adjustment very well..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Dec 12, 2023 at 02:13 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,244
From: San Diego, CA
I'm a fan of the CV40 carb, but since it is all set up for a Mikuni (also and excellent carb), I'd fix the Mikuni as 98hotrodfatboy says above....
Good luck with your repair...
PS- After I opened your post, I was afraid to read the entire post... Nothing good ever follows, " I have a 93 Heritage Softail Classic I picked up recently because the owner was tired of dealing with some problems." At least your issue seems like it should be manageable...
Good luck with your repair...
PS- After I opened your post, I was afraid to read the entire post... Nothing good ever follows, " I have a 93 Heritage Softail Classic I picked up recently because the owner was tired of dealing with some problems." At least your issue seems like it should be manageable...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 2,225
From: College Station, TX
When you removed the float bowl, was there debris in it? Did you set the float heigth / drop when the new needle and seat was installed?
Older bikes can have debris or rust in the tank. Most any debris that makes it way to the needle and seat can cause the problem you are describing. So you might look in the tank to see if there is a significant amount of rust, or other debris in the fuel or bottom of the tank.
I'd remove the float bowl to check for debris in the bowl and seat, then check heigth etc. And you might consider adding an inline fuel filter if there isn't one already.
Paul
Older bikes can have debris or rust in the tank. Most any debris that makes it way to the needle and seat can cause the problem you are describing. So you might look in the tank to see if there is a significant amount of rust, or other debris in the fuel or bottom of the tank.
I'd remove the float bowl to check for debris in the bowl and seat, then check heigth etc. And you might consider adding an inline fuel filter if there isn't one already.
Paul
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 1,486
From: Black Hills of SD
One thing to note - Some carbs the seat is a removable piece that has an O-ring that deteriorates. Not sure if the Mikuni you have is that way or not - but worth a check.
A carb can always be fixed - well unless it has catastrophic damage.
A carb can always be fixed - well unless it has catastrophic damage.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 303
Likes: 146
From: Az
I would disconnect the fuel line and run fuel into a container througH a coffee filter or just a clear container and see what comes out. Tanks can get some serious debris. You will keep having issues if this is the case.
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Morning all, thanks for the input. Okay I've cleaned the carb and put a new kit on it. It had been sitting a few years. The old needle and seat was pretty bad. The new one didn't line up very well and it was still leaking. I did a lot of lapping with some compound and got the leak fixed yesterday. At least on the bench. I have a clean test tank I'm using for running in the garage. Looking into the tanks they look pretty good for there age.But I will filter some fuel thru them before I reinstall. Hopdfully I'll get a little ride in today.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,849
Likes: 1,389
From: Florida
Let's touch on one thing. You don't have a 95 inch kit in your bike because that's for twincams. It's possible for you to have a 96 inch stroker kit with a different than stock crank.
This is important to figure out so that you can determine jet sizes.
This is important to figure out so that you can determine jet sizes.
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