my first harley
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
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my first harley
I just bought a 1997 harley davidson softail custom , the bike has a ton of chrome on it and it has 8300 miles. I paid 9700. do you think this was to much? Also , the bike seemed to run good at the store (warm indoors) , but when I tried to start it when I got home(30degrees) I had a hard time and had to charge the battery a little before I could get it running. When I took it for a ride up and down the street in front of my house ( could not go far it wasnt registered yet) it was missing and popping through the carb. Do you think I just flooded it? What is the temperment of a harley, and what procedure do you use when starting it. Also I want to bring it somewhere to get checked out . I would appreciat any advise on where to go and how to start my new to me bike. Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: my first harley
Most Harleys are cold natured, and what you are describing sounds like a bike that is not warmed up enough. Use your enricher to start, and you might want to tweek the throttle two or three times before you hit the starter. If it doesn't start in 10 seconds of so, quit cranking, and tweek the throttle again. Leave the enricher out until it runs smooth, but not too long, as that will foul the plugs.
Price doesn't sound too bad for what you got. I sold my wife's 97 Lowrider with almost 50,000 miles on it for 8,500.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Bill
Price doesn't sound too bad for what you got. I sold my wife's 97 Lowrider with almost 50,000 miles on it for 8,500.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Bill
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
RE: my first harley
Welcome ! I bought a new softail custom in October of 94. Rode it 50,000 miles so far, so I can probably give you a little input. Mine too is very cold blooded. Here's how I start mine. Full choke and maybe crack the throttle once or twice. Never touch throttle again until she's running. I run with the choke out until it's completely warmed up. Takes a long time, sometimes. It's always been that way, and I'm just used to it. I just bought a 2006 Electra Glide classic with FI, kind of strange to not having all that popping and missing going on !! 
Might not hurt to start with a fresh set of plugs in yours if they haven't been changed. If they have been, get a spare set. Have fun, enjoy the ride, and welcome to the site.
Might not hurt to start with a fresh set of plugs in yours if they haven't been changed. If they have been, get a spare set. Have fun, enjoy the ride, and welcome to the site.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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RE: my first harley
Bill was right about your bike. Mine runs different when it is warm than when it is cold. It's a natural thing. My Jeep is the same way. Once either one of them warms up, they both run smoother. Cold weather can play heck on a bike and it can just be part of the fun of owning a motorcycle.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: my first harley
My Night Train runs like that when it's super cold. Carbed engines tend to be more sensitive to cold weather.
Cheers!
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Cheers!
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