Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Shootin flames/backfire

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 02:02 AM
  #1  
spikehyre's Avatar
spikehyre
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Shelton WA
Default Shootin flames/backfire

I have an 04 1200 custom that just recently began backfiring after running at highway speeds. I will pull to a stop and the engine begins to stumble. If I wrap the throttle she will backfire. If I hold the RPM up while stopped it smooths out. I had her at the dealer for a week and they claim they could not duplicate the problem. I picked the bike up tonight from the dealer and as usual ran fine while warming up and at highway speeds. First stoplight...shooting flames. I have vance and hines pipes and have put in a stage 1 kit in the carb. Any ideas? Only happens when she is warm.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 02:54 AM
  #2  
1200c's Avatar
1200c
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
Default RE: Shootin flames/backfire

First stoplight...shooting flames.
You need to get that bike back to the dealership asap. Tell them that it starting shooting flames and it will be fixed quickly. If not, then call harley headquarters and tell them that your bike is shooting flames and how that's a SAFETY risk. Keyword there is safety. When your safety is compromised and then they know lawyers will tear them apart if anything happens and things get fixed quickly.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 12:04 PM
  #3  
XL OCD's Avatar
XL OCD
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Shootin flames/backfire

Hell, I say leave it! I'd love to be able to shoot flames... Cool!

Hope HD gets the problem fixed for ya. My very primitive mechanical knowledge says that part of the problem could be your bike running rich. (?) Is it possible for excess gasonline not to be burned, but instead pushed out the exhaust port???
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 03:43 PM
  #4  
brohrs's Avatar
brohrs
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Shootin flames/backfire

Its timing or a valve problem.
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2006 | 04:05 PM
  #5  
coolnite's Avatar
coolnite
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
Default RE: Shootin flames/backfire

I agree it's a valve or timing problem. Becuase it's only happening after the bike is warmed up and you are at idle, and you're not complaining of performance problems. I would say the ignition is retarded too much at low RPM. This could cause the exhaust valve to begin to open as the ignition fires. Increasing the RPM would temporarily stop the problem. Get it fixed quickly, exhaust valve seats are not designed to operate in a fire bath.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Atlaska
Sportster Models
10
Sep 8, 2015 06:24 PM
Nova Joe
Dyna Glide Models
4
Sep 3, 2012 09:42 PM
rockil
Sportster Models
14
Sep 12, 2006 05:55 PM
Sookie
Sportster Models
5
Jul 10, 2006 07:50 PM
Legendary6301
General Harley Davidson Chat
29
Mar 27, 2006 03:19 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:48 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE