Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Float gets stuck

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 21, 2017 | 11:31 AM
  #1  
Tileman2692's Avatar
Tileman2692
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 581
From: Cape Coral Fl
Default Float gets stuck

Past few days I start her up and 3-4 Mls down the Rd. She floods out to a stop. Pull over and carb is dripping pretty good. Let her sit 10 mins or so and she starts right up and the rest of the ride goes well. Will Seafoam take care of a sticky float?
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2017 | 06:34 AM
  #2  
Thumper26's Avatar
Thumper26
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Tileman2692
Past few days I start her up and 3-4 Mls down the Rd. She floods out to a stop. Pull over and carb is dripping pretty good. Let her sit 10 mins or so and she starts right up and the rest of the ride goes well. Will Seafoam take care of a sticky float?
The real question is, what's causing the float to stick? Personally, Sea Foam may be worth a try, but if that doesn't work, I would open that carb and want to fix that stuck float - could be caused by a misalignment or other mechanical interference.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2017 | 08:02 AM
  #3  
Triumph Jerry's Avatar
Triumph Jerry
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 175
Likes: 22
From: Stuart Fl
Default

I agree, it could have partially sunk or the valve or seat may be damaged.
Get your face in there.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2017 | 08:35 AM
  #4  
multihdrdr's Avatar
multihdrdr
Club Member
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,176
Likes: 2,488
From: Nor Cal
Default

What kind of float is in there? Brass, plastic or Fiber?, but all are subject to "loading"
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2017 | 09:33 AM
  #5  
2005 XL1200C's Avatar
2005 XL1200C
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 5
From: Canal Fulton, Ohio
Default

I would take it apart setting each piece on a clean towel, then with a wood tooth pic and a cheap soft bristle tooth brush and carb cleaner . Go to town cleaning each piece but be gentle.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2017 | 09:53 PM
  #6  
Tileman2692's Avatar
Tileman2692
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 581
From: Cape Coral Fl
Default

It's a plastic bowl oh well. Thanks all
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2017 | 04:07 PM
  #7  
Tileman2692's Avatar
Tileman2692
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 581
From: Cape Coral Fl
Default

Whoa! Today tried to start her up, cranked it a few times...usually she starts right up but not this time, and after a few tries gas poured out of my a/c and a lot of it. Waited for a few mins. Got her going got home turd off the gas at the petcock and she never died.Hec I let her run for a least 5 mins on off then I finally shut her off. What's the hec, I thought it was the float, what do you guys think
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2017 | 04:54 PM
  #8  
Thumper26's Avatar
Thumper26
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Tileman2692
Whoa! Today tried to start her up, cranked it a few times...usually she starts right up but not this time, and after a few tries gas poured out of my a/c and a lot of it. Waited for a few mins. Got her going got home turd off the gas at the petcock and she never died.Hec I let her run for a least 5 mins on off then I finally shut her off. What's the hec, I thought it was the float, what do you guys think

VERY weird! Have you got a vacuum petcock? If so, could be defective and not shutting off. When it was hesitating/stalling on you, was it maybe flooding out since it was basically happening when you were stopped?
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 23, 2017 | 05:27 PM
  #9  
-deuced-'s Avatar
-deuced-
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
From: N/A
Default

My money's on the float needle. Moco calls it float valve.


​​​
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2017 | 05:33 PM
  #10  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,621
Likes: 4,060
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default

I think I've read that if the petcock vacuum diaphragm is torn, gas can enter the carb through the vacuum line, that might explain the problem if not your float needle, seat, or perhaps the float itself has been compromised and has fuel in it. Either way, you need to pull the carb and probaly petcock as well and investigate. It has to be something simple.

John
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:11 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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