Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
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idle speed or ignition timing

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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 10:43 PM
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MOSTWANTED
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From: Kansas City
Default idle speed or ignition timing

My '02 1200s idles high when it has warmed up. It idles fine when it is cold. Is there a fast idle adjustment on the carb? Or maybe it is the ignition? I picked up a Chilton's Manual the other day, but it didn't any other adjustments on the carb besides the low idle and float level. I haven't looked at the ignition section yet. Can I use a timing light somewhere or how does that work?
 
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Old Sep 24, 2008 | 11:18 PM
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
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The idle speed should always be adjusted after the motor is warmed up. The correct idle is 950-1050 rpm.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2008 | 01:01 PM
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No timing change necessary....here's what ya do....(this is posted in a sticky somewhere, I believe)

Start the bike and warm it up,
Using the Idle SPEED screw, raise the idle until it's pretty high,
Turn the Idle MIXTURE screw ALL THE WAY IN...bike should still be running,
Back the Idle SPEED screw off until it stumbles really bad or dies (Do this SLOWLY),
Back the Idle MIX screw out 2 full turns,
Restart the bike.

Test ride it and see if that fixes the problem. If not, determine whether you're running rich (backfire out pipes) or lean (backfire out carb) and adjust the mixture screw accordingly.

Also, to set timing....it's ALOT easier than a car.

Pop your timing cover off,
Put the key in the Ign Switch and turn it to Ign,
Loosen the two screws that hold the module in place,
Rotate the module back n forth until the red LED is lit,
Retighten screws, replace timing cover.

Your timing is now set.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 01:59 AM
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Is there a way to subscribe to a thread without responding? Weird question, I know, but I wanted to do it and had nothing to say.

Thanks
 
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