Ok, dumb newbie question time.

I just bought a '96 FLSTC. It's a basically stock 80" with a Stage 1 kit.
I noticed yesterday that when riding into a strong headwind or up a hill that it bogs quite a bit when rolling on the throttle in 5th gear. I can also smell a bit of raw gas when this happens.

The only other Harley I've owned was a '98 Sportster 1200 that I had six years ago and I don't recall it ever having this problem.

Could it be a jetting issue or am I simply expecting too much from a heavier bike that has a barn-door for a windshield?

 

Not a dumb question at all. You have a 17 year old bike that could easily be running rich. My first place to look would be the air filter, get a new one if you didn't replace it already.

 

Thanks, I'll have a look this morning. I was told this bike had been recently been serviced so I never thought to look at the filter.

 

Filter is a K&N and looks to be okay.

 

If it is getting good air flow, the next step is fuel. Too much maybe? How do the plugs look? Where do you think the raw gas smell is coming from?

 

1st step would be to check the plugs and jetting. My next guess on the gas smell would be fuel reversion. Holding the throttle open against a headwind, the air filter could be getting filled with enough gas mist that the fumes can be strong. My bike at high speeds would have fuel all over the oil tank from the wind blowing thru the AC. I went with a forward facing AC and fixed that issue.

 

Check to see if the air/fuel mixture screw plug has been removed. Maby who ever installed the stage 1 kit didnt rejet? After market pipes too?

 

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I'll check the plugs and the air/mix screw tomorrow.
Mufflers are Screaming Eagle slip-ons with the little shark-fin tail.