been having this problem with my fattie some days starts right up and runs great no problems let it sit a day or two and it cranks over back fires puffs some smoke out of the air cleaner but wont start some times i can mess with it enough to get it running and after start there is no problem any ideas

 

Mine is doing the same thing. Called my mechanic and he said the drop the blow and clean the low idle jet. Said a wire from a regular wire brush should work. Also told me not to run old gas through it or mix old and fresh gas and put some sea foam in it once a month. I just got my 03 so I'm still feeling my way around the bike and learning the ticks. Hope this helps, I'm going to try this fix today when I get off work. I'll let you know if it works.

 

thanks bud update bike started right up yesterday went for a 30 mile ride filled it up with fresh gas and some additive then ran it another 15 miles just to get the additive working and mixed hope that helps my problem just getting frustrated that it starts when it wants to

 

Update left my bike at a friends house so he could start it for me why'll I'm out of town said it started three days ago but know it wont startvjust turns over and back fires any help would be appreciated

 

Big John.

There are 3 categories for failure. Mechanical, Electrical, and Fuel. Eliminating mechanical you can focus on the other two.

Electrical: Put in a fresh set of plugs properly gaped. If you're still running the stock plug wires replace them. Check the battery cables, clean / tighten.

Fuel: Replace the fuel filter. Ensure that the Air Filter is clean and properly attached. Run a couple tanks of Seafoam through the system. It's fantastic stuff but it may be time for a Carb overhaul.

 

well still out of town budy called said it started then when i was talking he tried to start it back up wouldnt start just crank untill starter clicks dont know what to think need to get back and put in some wrench time any ideas

 

If it's running then dies or won't restart, carb is the 1st place to look. Drain that tank, clean the filter, get those jets out of the carb and blow them out. Also, your petcock is vacuum operated, mine went bad years ago. Replaced it with a manual one.
Compression, spark and fuel. The basics to get you running.

 

dont get back into Texas till Wednesday going to jump strait on the bike and figure this thing out its just funny if it starts it will run like a champ and it will start every time for that day some times two then it wont go out a day later fires right up still thinking electrical but still going to do the basics to the fuel