Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

fatty doesn't start easily when warm??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 3, 2009 | 11:02 PM
  #1  
coach04sport1200's Avatar
coach04sport1200
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From:
Default fatty doesn't start easily when warm??

2002 carbed fatboy. it starts when warm, but on second try and you have to throttle it just right. maybe this is normal or not a big deal. i have had the bike for 2 weeks. runs great. this is the only issue. i just wanted to be sure it was ok. it has 16,000 miles, but the previous owner, who is original owner, only put 500 miles on it the last year and a half. do i need to put something in the gas to clean the carbs. he also said he never turned the fuel line off when parked. does that have anything to with it? do you turn the line off when parked? he took imaculate care of the bike and told me of the issue when i bought it. he had harley look at it 2 times and they said there was no issue with it. it is just a little annoying. thanks in advance for the help.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 11:13 PM
  #2  
Kicks's Avatar
Kicks
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Michigan/Colorado
Default

Same exact problem here on a 04 softail.
Never turned off the fuel, starts like a charm when cold, has a new battery, have to have just enough throttle to get her going when warm,conks out just after it starts when warm (not always).

Otherwise bike is perfect...was your bike rejetted from you or previous owner for the exhaust?
I feel your pain.

Hopefully someone will know whats going on.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2009 | 11:27 PM
  #3  
Other Sheep's Avatar
Other Sheep
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
Default

Might be a little lean. Try pulling the enrichener **** when you start it hot. It's not a choke, it dumps a little extra fuel in for normally cold starts so it may help with the hot starts. But it's just to experiment. If it works you either have plugged jets or need to up the size of the jets. When I had my 99 Heritage I took the carb off and sent it to Bob Wood of woods cams and he set it up perfect. Never a problem for over 40,000 miles. Also never leave the enrichener **** out after starting. It should be pushed in and if you need higher revs to warm the bike use the screw on the throttle to lock it down at a higher rpm.
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2009 | 06:02 AM
  #4  
Rick14221's Avatar
Rick14221
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Default

I have the same problem. 01 Fatboy and after I ride it to re start it I have to pull out the enricher **** also Makes no sense
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2009 | 07:13 PM
  #5  
coach04sport1200's Avatar
coach04sport1200
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From:
Default

where is the "enricher ****"? the only one i see is a black **** that says "choke"
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2009 | 07:58 PM
  #6  
wildman67's Avatar
wildman67
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,853
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by coach04sport1200
where is the "enricher ****"? the only one i see is a black **** that says "choke"
that is the enrichner ****.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 07:19 PM
  #7  
Drew62's Avatar
Drew62
Novice
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Default

If the scoot is warm just keep the enricher pushed in, twist the throttle 1/4 turn, and start. Should work like a charm and, if not, how long has it sat since it was last ridden? 500 miles in 1/1-2 years isn't enough, so if it has been a while make sure you have fresh gas and do a normal 5000 mi service. I would start there before moving on to the next steps.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2009 | 09:07 PM
  #8  
coach04sport1200's Avatar
coach04sport1200
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From:
Default

thanks for the advice. that does work when i have the throttle on just right. i just wanted to be sure that this was ok. my other bike did not do this, so i am just being careful. i have run new gas through it and will be taking a 350 mile ride tomorrow, so hopefully it will get better and better. thanks again. i just wanted to be sure i didn;t have a problem.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
casiders
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
5
Jun 26, 2017 08:42 AM
RKStroker
Carburetor Related
3
Sep 8, 2016 06:09 AM
NBryant
Sportster Models
13
Apr 1, 2012 07:36 AM
ECUtrav
Sportster Models
12
Sep 9, 2010 09:31 PM
simoneales
General Harley Davidson Chat
30
Feb 9, 2010 04:16 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:35 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE