2005 1200C off idle issues
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2005 1200C off idle issues
Hi, my 1200C doesn't see many miles. Last summer it sat in my garage for the entire season. I put 1000 miles in 10yrs.
2 summers ago, I had an issue where when I gave it throttle off idle it would sputter, hesitate and backfire.
I'd have to feather the throttle to get past the off idle spot and then release the clutch to move at a higher throttle then normal.
This season I did the following -
- changes spark plugs
- changed oil/filter
- replaced battery
- removed carb jets and cleaned (they looked clean)
- removed top carb slide and wiped down, checked rubber boot
- removed accelerator pump cover, inspected rubber diaphragm, looked fine
- checked idle mixture screw, it was fully seated, I played with 1 turn, 1.5 turns, 2 turns and 2.5 turns - didn't help (it's now at 1 turn)
Back in 2007 I replaced my stock exhaust with Big Guns 3 and changed the jets based on recommendations from this forum.
Here's the thread.
I'm running out of ideas.
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks
2 summers ago, I had an issue where when I gave it throttle off idle it would sputter, hesitate and backfire.
I'd have to feather the throttle to get past the off idle spot and then release the clutch to move at a higher throttle then normal.
This season I did the following -
- changes spark plugs
- changed oil/filter
- replaced battery
- removed carb jets and cleaned (they looked clean)
- removed top carb slide and wiped down, checked rubber boot
- removed accelerator pump cover, inspected rubber diaphragm, looked fine
- checked idle mixture screw, it was fully seated, I played with 1 turn, 1.5 turns, 2 turns and 2.5 turns - didn't help (it's now at 1 turn)
Back in 2007 I replaced my stock exhaust with Big Guns 3 and changed the jets based on recommendations from this forum.
Here's the thread.
I'm running out of ideas.
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 165
Likes: 14
From: rockford
How is accelerator pump? Sounds like lack of fuel or diaphragm in slide is bad or spring. Sounds like it goes lean on acceleration? Does it do it while if you accelerate while in 2nd or 3rd gear?
With that few miles per year do you drain gas out every year? What type of gas? Ethanol blend? Ethanol only stays mixed around 90 days or so then separates. Ethanol normal goes to top picks up water molecules and falls to bottom of tank where you get nothing but water and alcohol for fuel with a little gas.
Sounds like lean and can be vacuum, fuel delivery, or just fuel itself. Check around manifold and carb for leaks with brake cleaner and nozzle while running. Good luck
With that few miles per year do you drain gas out every year? What type of gas? Ethanol blend? Ethanol only stays mixed around 90 days or so then separates. Ethanol normal goes to top picks up water molecules and falls to bottom of tank where you get nothing but water and alcohol for fuel with a little gas.
Sounds like lean and can be vacuum, fuel delivery, or just fuel itself. Check around manifold and carb for leaks with brake cleaner and nozzle while running. Good luck
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 235
Likes: 7
From: San Diego
I agree on the gas, you should have drained it and refilled and maybe even slosh some seafoam or tank cleaning agent in there (petcock too). I would also suggest a proper carb rebuild, i went through a similar situ and even though I thought I did a good job cleaning out the carb jets, float etc.., the rebuild fixed the issue. I would also check The jets, did you go over +1 on the main? Bottom line, the fuel systems on the carbed bikes do not like to sit.
Last edited by SD1; Apr 17, 2018 at 11:05 PM.
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Thanks for everyone's input. Finally had time to get back to troubleshooting. I took it for a ride, about 5 miles, to get it warmed up and as expected, popping and backfire. I took the air cleaner off and sprayed brake cleaner around the intake and behind the carb. No vacuum leaks. I can see fuel spray into the carb from the accelerator pump but maybe it's not enough.
Last week I drained the tank (siphon) and refilled today. I always store the bike with stabilizer in the tank but I probably went a little longer than recommended.
I guess next step is the carb rebuild. Any recommendation on a rebuild kit for my 2005 1200 custom? Anything else to check before I rebuild the carb?
Thanks
Last week I drained the tank (siphon) and refilled today. I always store the bike with stabilizer in the tank but I probably went a little longer than recommended.
I guess next step is the carb rebuild. Any recommendation on a rebuild kit for my 2005 1200 custom? Anything else to check before I rebuild the carb?
Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 123
Likes: 17
From: Bellevue WA
Hi denisl,
since you are going to be pulling the carb off to clean it you might as well buy a rebuild kit and replace parts. The kits aren't that expensive.
My advice is to be careful when you are blasting carb cleaner into the carb because it can be hard to tell which hole it is going to come out of.
Bamboo kabab skewers work well to get crud out of the nooks and crannies but just rely on carb cleaner and air to clean the passages. You wouldn't want to get anything stuck in there.
I would also check your vacuum lines and test your VOES. A bad VOES or one that isn't connected properly will show up as a low idle.
You could disconnect the VOES from your system and or pinch/plug the line. Leave the vac line connected to the Carb/Intake and petcock.
If the bike runs the same then your toes is suspect.
If you don't have a vacuum pump you could take your VOES and multimeter to Autozone and borrow one.
With no vac the VOES will show an open circuit on the multimeter. with 3.5 to 4.5 in of vac it will be a closed circuit.
A voes is a $40.00 part.
I had a VOES that had a vacuum leak. The plug was still intact it was leaking somewhere on the plastic body or through the diaphragm.
Hope this helps,
Craig
since you are going to be pulling the carb off to clean it you might as well buy a rebuild kit and replace parts. The kits aren't that expensive.
My advice is to be careful when you are blasting carb cleaner into the carb because it can be hard to tell which hole it is going to come out of.
Bamboo kabab skewers work well to get crud out of the nooks and crannies but just rely on carb cleaner and air to clean the passages. You wouldn't want to get anything stuck in there.
I would also check your vacuum lines and test your VOES. A bad VOES or one that isn't connected properly will show up as a low idle.
You could disconnect the VOES from your system and or pinch/plug the line. Leave the vac line connected to the Carb/Intake and petcock.
If the bike runs the same then your toes is suspect.
If you don't have a vacuum pump you could take your VOES and multimeter to Autozone and borrow one.
With no vac the VOES will show an open circuit on the multimeter. with 3.5 to 4.5 in of vac it will be a closed circuit.
A voes is a $40.00 part.
I had a VOES that had a vacuum leak. The plug was still intact it was leaking somewhere on the plastic body or through the diaphragm.
Hope this helps,
Craig
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 165
Likes: 14
From: rockford
If you ride less than 200 miles a year and have ethanol blend gas in the tank get used to rebuilding carb quite often. Ethanol becomes unblended after 90 days and alcohol will rise thne sink to bottom of tank after it collects water destroying most rubber parts. Seafoam or Stabil won't stop the process on ethanol gas.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I've used the CV Performance rebuild kits for years, no problems. Kit is $19.95
scroll down to the bottom of the page or click here "Harley Carburetor Rebuild Kit"
scroll down to the bottom of the page or click here "Harley Carburetor Rebuild Kit"
