'87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
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'87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
Hi,
Although my bike is 20 years old, it's in excellent shape and has just under 20K miles. I took it into the Harley dealer for the 20K service and when it came back it ran great, except that even after a good warm up, at the start of a ride the engine starts to bog thru the gears and it seems like it's getting too much gas. However, about 15-20 minutes into a ride, no more bogging or misfiring. I'm thinking from the service they adjusted the throttle and/or carb and that's probably the issue, but I'm not sure.
I have an S&S carb, so would this just be as simple as adjusting a setting. If so, which one?
Thanks for anyone that can offer any tips.
Although my bike is 20 years old, it's in excellent shape and has just under 20K miles. I took it into the Harley dealer for the 20K service and when it came back it ran great, except that even after a good warm up, at the start of a ride the engine starts to bog thru the gears and it seems like it's getting too much gas. However, about 15-20 minutes into a ride, no more bogging or misfiring. I'm thinking from the service they adjusted the throttle and/or carb and that's probably the issue, but I'm not sure.
I have an S&S carb, so would this just be as simple as adjusting a setting. If so, which one?
Thanks for anyone that can offer any tips.
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: '87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
I can only guess because I haven't actually seen the bike/engine setup but it sounds like the accelerator pump may not be adjusted properly and isn't getting enough gas into the engine when you crank up the throttle.
Heres a link to an article that tells you how to take apart clean up and rebuild an S&S carb.
http://www.hotrodsbikeworks.com/tech...ild/index.html
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
PS. You could try to put a little bit of choke on it when its cold to see if it makes it run a little better. If it works OK it means that its running a bitlean on you.
Heres a link to an article that tells you how to take apart clean up and rebuild an S&S carb.
http://www.hotrodsbikeworks.com/tech...ild/index.html
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
PS. You could try to put a little bit of choke on it when its cold to see if it makes it run a little better. If it works OK it means that its running a bitlean on you.
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RE: '87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
Thanks for the tips!
I never thought that the carb wasn't getting enough gas...you have a great point. I thought the opposite. I'll let you know how it goes. That's a great article, I only wish I was more mechanically savvy then I would do it myself. I'm currently looking for an alternative to the Harley dealer for this type of maintenance.
I don't konw what it is but the guys at the Harley dealer always try to upsell me on a new bike whenever I bring mine in - it's frustrating. Every time I talk to them about something like this, it always seems like they'd rather just sell me a new bike. I always have to send the message that this bike is in great shape...it looks brand new and it's paid for. At this point, I'm not interested in buying a brand new bike. I just called them the other day to talk about this issue and the service advisor said, "we don't work on bikes that old." Huh? I've been bringing this bike in there since I've owned it and you've had no issues working on it. I love this SoftTail. Little things like this happen from time to time, but overall the bike is SOLID. I don't need a new bike. Anyway...thanks for listening to me vent.
Cheers!
I never thought that the carb wasn't getting enough gas...you have a great point. I thought the opposite. I'll let you know how it goes. That's a great article, I only wish I was more mechanically savvy then I would do it myself. I'm currently looking for an alternative to the Harley dealer for this type of maintenance.
I don't konw what it is but the guys at the Harley dealer always try to upsell me on a new bike whenever I bring mine in - it's frustrating. Every time I talk to them about something like this, it always seems like they'd rather just sell me a new bike. I always have to send the message that this bike is in great shape...it looks brand new and it's paid for. At this point, I'm not interested in buying a brand new bike. I just called them the other day to talk about this issue and the service advisor said, "we don't work on bikes that old." Huh? I've been bringing this bike in there since I've owned it and you've had no issues working on it. I love this SoftTail. Little things like this happen from time to time, but overall the bike is SOLID. I don't need a new bike. Anyway...thanks for listening to me vent.
Cheers!
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: '87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
No problem that's what the forums are for, and to learn something new.
Funny thig is that your bike is the reason I wanted a Custom when I started looking for a new bike last year.
There is a guy down the block who had one and I fell in love with it. I thought it was the best looking bike ever made. So you can understand that I was to say the least a "tad" annoyed when he traded it in on a (then new) Ultra Classic before I had a chance to grab it off him.
But maybe alls well that ends well, I love my 07 Custom and with its 96 inch engine and 6 speed I'm not "annoyed" at him anymore. His Ultra is an older 05 88 incher.
Anyway give the choke trick a try and see if that doesn't help out a little. Just remember to open it up after it warms up properly or its liable to foul the plugs on you.
Funny thig is that your bike is the reason I wanted a Custom when I started looking for a new bike last year.
There is a guy down the block who had one and I fell in love with it. I thought it was the best looking bike ever made. So you can understand that I was to say the least a "tad" annoyed when he traded it in on a (then new) Ultra Classic before I had a chance to grab it off him.
But maybe alls well that ends well, I love my 07 Custom and with its 96 inch engine and 6 speed I'm not "annoyed" at him anymore. His Ultra is an older 05 88 incher.
Anyway give the choke trick a try and see if that doesn't help out a little. Just remember to open it up after it warms up properly or its liable to foul the plugs on you.
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RE: '87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
I'll def. try the choke tip. Just to be clear about you're advising...I usually start the bike with the choke on and after a minute or two turn the choke off, let it idle for warm up til the engine's nice and warm.
Are you suggesting that even after all this warm up, I ride with the choke on a little and then turn it off completely after some time? I'm a little confused about what you mean by "open up". I'm thinking it means turn the choke off. Is that correct?
Cheers!
Are you suggesting that even after all this warm up, I ride with the choke on a little and then turn it off completely after some time? I'm a little confused about what you mean by "open up". I'm thinking it means turn the choke off. Is that correct?
Cheers!
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: '87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
That's exactly it, just start it normally but instead of truning it completely off leave it on about 1/4 or a little less till its up to mormal operating temps. Should only take about 4 or 5 miles unless you let it idle for a longer than usual time.
When I said open up I mean turn it completely off. Old fashioned chokes were noting more than an extra butterfly plate that closed off the airway. More modern carbs often use a secondary bypass channel instead. I think the S&S carbs fall into that catagory. But its been a really long time since I was playing around with the insides of one so yours may or may not have it. In any event the operation and results are thesame.
When I said open up I mean turn it completely off. Old fashioned chokes were noting more than an extra butterfly plate that closed off the airway. More modern carbs often use a secondary bypass channel instead. I think the S&S carbs fall into that catagory. But its been a really long time since I was playing around with the insides of one so yours may or may not have it. In any event the operation and results are thesame.
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RE: '87 FXSTC - Engine Bogging - Tips?
Hi,
Looks like the choke suggestion seemed to work so it's def. running lean on me. At least I know what to tell the guys at the dealership.
Thanks alot for your tips!
Looks like the choke suggestion seemed to work so it's def. running lean on me. At least I know what to tell the guys at the dealership.
Thanks alot for your tips!
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