I just bought my first harley, 2004 XL1200R Roadster, 3,000 miles, been sitting in a barn for years. Changed the engine and trans oil. New gas, added Sea Foam to the new gas, and sprayed it in the carb. Heres my concern, 10% of the time it will chug or sputter while cruising down the highway or slow rolling through town. Engine light comes on and off and at times the engine just sounds rough like its choking when giving it gas. Spark plugs look great. and sometimes ill here a "ding" noise from what sounds like the trans case.

 

Son has a 04 883 carbed bike that was scary at slow turns due to coughing and sputtering. Never had a big issue at hwy though but once in a while it hesitated. Heard that HD had restricted the fuel flow to pass the EPA back then and the carbed sportys were the victim of it.
I put the next size up jet in the bike and raised the idle about 100 RPM and have had the problem damn near disappear. Only farts when its cold now.

 

Check timing.

Always check timing.

 

On anything that's been sitting that long, the carb should be removed, disassembled, cleaned, and a rebuild kit installed.

There is no adjustment for ignition timing on an 04, so ignore above post.

There a "Sticky" thread at the top of this section on How To Check your DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes). If you get a P0373 or P0374 code, you need to replace the Crank Position Sensor (CKP)

 

+1 I bought an old bike and the S&S Shorty was a mess inside, I took each part out and cleaned it, using a single wire to clean the inside of every orifice.
Rebuild kit x3 (as I learned lol)
Also, is there a fuel filter, the screen in the tank?
after that and a few tanks of Ultra, she runs great!

 

After using a premium fuel it seems to be getting better. I let my grandpa listen too it, the man has 40+ years experience building bikes from the frame, he says it sounds good other then one of the cylinders sounds low compression. going to do a comp check today.

 

Rebuild the carburetor and replace your manifold seals, it's quite easy. Most people use a 45 pilot (slow) jet and I have a 175 main jet in my 883. Runs and idles beautifully, never a carb fart.

John

 

took it to three different shops and all said the same thing...CARB. Cleaned the carb and its running much better but i believe that its still in need of a rebuild. Im going to take your advice John with the jet and seals cause im still getting carb farts. THANKS!