Hey new to harleys and i jsut bought a 1987 Sportster 883 xlh,

So my bike was running just fine but the was a little low so i went to adjust the idler screw but must have messed something up big time because it just kept dying no matter what place i put the idler screw at. So to start it i was using the choke and i assume i flooded the engine from too much choke because now the bike wont start. It got way to dark to fast to pull the plugs and let them dry if they are flooded or fouled etc. But another interesting thing i found which leads me to believe that it may not be a flooded engine is that i found a clear hose that didn't appear to be attached to anything but it definitally is supposed to be attached to something as both ends are flared where they must have fit over some kind of nipple. I thought it was a vacuum hose but one end was covered in grease and grime so idk. It appeared to go from the air cleaner to the oil filter or something around there.

If anyone has any insight as to my problem and where that hose goes etc it would be greatly appreciated as its my third day owning the bike and i wanna get out and ride! Also where can i find info on adjusting the idler screw and specs about idling because I've been up and down my service manual and i cant find anything about idling or that hose.

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post

 

bump i really hope someone can help

 

if your engine is flooding you would have an over flow under the bike... do you hvae gas pouring out... what carb do you have? the CV or the Mikuni? If it is the Mikuni this will tune it in no problem, walks you though it below...
http://www.mikuni.com/fs-tuning_guide.html

i dont think it is a keihin but if it is here is the link for that as well
http://www.keihin-us.com/tune.htm

 

You may want to check the VOES switch vacuum line. You may have nudged it lose while trying to get to the idle adjustment screw. As I believe it's got to hold between 3 & 5 (?) pounds of vacuum or it will shut the fuel delivery off. I had one dry-rot & left me on the road for a while scratching my head till I got it trailered home. I believe that vacuum line connects into a Y connection, (at least on a '00 model, with one line going over to the petcock, but I'm not sure where the other line goes). I might be able to look once I get home. However, your line could also be a breather line that drains the oil to the ground.