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Got a 2001 1200xl custom (carbureted) got a new fuel tank, because the old one had a pinhole leak from a previous owner, and swapped them out. Went for a ride on my way to work. Sat parked all day then riding home got about 2 miles away and she died and wouldn’t come back to life. Re routed the fuel line to get a bend out of it and she fired right up. Rode around for a bit made a couple stops and she fired up right away. Stopped to get some fried chicken and come out and she wouldn’t fire. Ran a new fuel line thinking vapor lock and it still wouldn’t start. Went out first thing the next morning and she fired right up. Not sure what’s happening.
Last edited by petesllab; Apr 30, 2024 at 07:16 PM.
Reason: further details asked
If it was running okay before the tank swap then it could be fuel delivery.
1. Is the new tank OEM or aftermarket?
2. Is the new tank brand new or used new to you?
3. Check venting.
4. Check Fuel filter screen
5. Petcock OEM or aftermarket?
6. Check Vacuum lines to petcock.
7. Bike is 23 years old check all rubber hoses going to/from carb as they do dry out.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
Last edited by CoolBreeze3646; Apr 30, 2024 at 08:19 PM.
Interesting. Sounds like it's a new, and intermittent problem. Petcock vacuum line, if you have one might be a place to look. 2001 has a troublesome ignition module, but it's due to heat which does not see to be the issue. I'd pull the carb and check to see there is not some crap getting sucked up and clogging the jets once in a while.
How was the fried chicken?
John
Last edited by John Harper; Apr 30, 2024 at 07:49 PM.
My wild *** guess.... Wrong/bad gas cap on the new tank, needs to be a vented cap. Next time it happens, loosen the gas cap and give it about 30 seconds and see if it will restart.
1. Is the new tank OEM or aftermarket? 2. Is the new tank brand new or used new to you? 3. Check venting. 4. Check Fuel filter screen 5. Petcock OEM or aftermarket? 6. Check Vacuum lines to petcock. 7. Bike is 23 years old check all rubber hoses going to/from carb as they do dry out.
1. Aftermarket OEM replacement
2. New from J&P Cycles
3. Any advice on checking venting? Does have vented fuel cap.
4. New Petcock with inline filter
5. Aftermarket OEM replacement from J&P Cycles
6. Not a vacuum petcock, one line to carb?
7. All rubber hoses have been replaced.
1. Fuel delivery is still suspect.
2. Do as Chopper Man said, check the cap for venting, may be not working correctly. Loosen cap and see it it makes a difference.
3. Inline fuel filter could also be suspect, should not be required if petcock has filter screen as shown in the diagram I provided.
4. OEM Gas Cap or aftermarket with venting?
5. See pictures below from OEM Tank and check for vent tube, vent hole, and cap vent.
If you have the filter on the petcock/in the tank, ditch the inline filter.
If it happens again, remove the fuel line from the petcock, open petcock and see if you have flow out of the tank. At least then you will know which end to check.
With that many new parts in your fuel system, chances of crud getting in the carb are high.
I would drop the bowl and clean everything up. Then remove in line filter, new fuel line and go for a ride and see how you do. Good luck.
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