99 Sporty starts and dies
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
99 Sporty starts and dies
I installed a new ignition, coil pack, wires, and rejetted the carb. Before doing all this work the bike only started when it wanted to. When it did start it hesitated around 3000-3500 rpm. Also, it continuously backfired through carb, especially when trying to start it. After all the above things were changed, all those problems went right away. Now, I start the bike and it runs until it runs out of fuel, not tank fuel, there is plenty there. Go to start it again and it wont. If you wait a few min, it will start up and die again. It usually runs for about 10-30 seconds or so until it kills itself. Fuel runs abundantly from the fuel line when pulled from carb inlet. Whats the deal here...what did i put together wrong or F up?
Thanks,
Alex
Thanks,
Alex
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 33
From: East Alton, IL
Easy stuff first. Make sure the fuel line isn't crimped when it is connected to the carb.
If no crimp then it sounds to me like you need to take the carb back off and see why the float isn't opening the needle valve all the way. Maybe when you had it apart you didn't put the needle valve back on the float assembly correctly or the float is binding and just needs to be cleaned again. I use the spray cab cleaner, like you get at Autozone or Wally world. With the float bowl removed and the carb sitting upright in it's normal running position, spray some cleaner into the fuel inlet and just make sure that float hangs freely down and lots of cleaner enters past the needle valve.
You mentioned that the fluel flow freely from the fuel line. It should be a thick steady stream. Let us know what you find as I am as curious as you to see what the problem is.
If no crimp then it sounds to me like you need to take the carb back off and see why the float isn't opening the needle valve all the way. Maybe when you had it apart you didn't put the needle valve back on the float assembly correctly or the float is binding and just needs to be cleaned again. I use the spray cab cleaner, like you get at Autozone or Wally world. With the float bowl removed and the carb sitting upright in it's normal running position, spray some cleaner into the fuel inlet and just make sure that float hangs freely down and lots of cleaner enters past the needle valve.
You mentioned that the fluel flow freely from the fuel line. It should be a thick steady stream. Let us know what you find as I am as curious as you to see what the problem is.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
I own a 99 XL883 and I had a problem that seemed like yours. I would be riding the bike and it would die like It had run out of gas, but there was still a lot of gas left in the tank. What my problem was (and it may be yours) is that Harley installed a vacuum assisted fuel shutoff valve so that in case you forgot to manually shut off your gas petcock, the flow of gas would be stopped by the other valve. This vacuum valve was closing for some reason and leaving me stranded. I simply removed the plug from the section that held the valve and I have never had another gas related problem again. I have put almost 40,000 miles on that bike. I have even had a riding partner do it to his 200 FXDX Sport because he didnt want to have any problems in the future either. It is free to do and takes only a few minutes of your time. It makes sense too as I really do not want anything between my manual shutoff valve in my gas petcock and the carburetor but the fuel line. I hope that this information is helpful to you and that it solves your problem. Take care and ride safe! 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
I own a 99 XL883 and I had a problem that seemed like yours. I would be riding the bike and it would die like It had run out of gas, but there was still a lot of gas left in the tank. What my problem was (and it may be yours) is that Harley installed a vacuum assisted fuel shutoff valve so that in case you forgot to manually shut off your gas petcock, the flow of gas would be stopped by the other valve. This vacuum valve was closing for some reason and leaving me stranded. I simply removed the plug from the section that held the valve and I have never had another gas related problem again. I have put almost 40,000 miles on that bike. I have even had a riding partner do it to his 200 FXDX Sport because he didnt want to have any problems in the future either. It is free to do and takes only a few minutes of your time. It makes sense too as I really do not want anything between my manual shutoff valve in my gas petcock and the carburetor but the fuel line. I hope that this information is helpful to you and that it solves your problem. Take care and ride safe!
His is only one year older.
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misfitJason
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