Question about '97 883 idle
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Question about '97 883 idle
I have a few questions so bear with me!! I went and looked at a 1997 883 Hugger today. It was in great shape for a close to 13 year old bike. Well cared for and it had just over 20,000 miles. My question is what would cause it to stumble every once in a while during idle?
It has screaming eagle pipes and a screaming eagle air cleaner and I'm not sure what jets it has in the carb or if it has been thoroughly cleaned in a while. The owner says he thinks one of the jets has been replaced with a larger one but he does not know for sure. He says he just runs the bike with the choke barely out which tells me the mix needs to be richened to correct the stumble during idle (corrected with the idle mix screw or putting in larger jets to accomodate the SE pipes and SE AC?). It starts on either the 2nd or 3rd try usually with the choke out and it's 70 degrees here now so I'm worried it may be tough to start when it starts getting colder. Does this seem like a common problem with a 13 year old 883 sportster?
-Matt
It has screaming eagle pipes and a screaming eagle air cleaner and I'm not sure what jets it has in the carb or if it has been thoroughly cleaned in a while. The owner says he thinks one of the jets has been replaced with a larger one but he does not know for sure. He says he just runs the bike with the choke barely out which tells me the mix needs to be richened to correct the stumble during idle (corrected with the idle mix screw or putting in larger jets to accomodate the SE pipes and SE AC?). It starts on either the 2nd or 3rd try usually with the choke out and it's 70 degrees here now so I'm worried it may be tough to start when it starts getting colder. Does this seem like a common problem with a 13 year old 883 sportster?
-Matt
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From: Wheeling, WV
The stumbling could be a dirty/varnished carb if it hasn't been run in a while. I'd say it's probably just time to check the carb out & overhaul it. Oh, and you're supposed to start the bike with the choke fully out on a cold start. You shouldn't need the choke if the engine is still warm, but a cold start WILL require the use of the choke pretty much no matter what the ambient temp is. You basically got the jist of it though.
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
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From: Colorado
Shouldn't be a problem to start. My '93 process is turn fuel valve on, pull out choke all the way, turn on, and start. Fires up on the first time. (now I'm probably jinxed) Let it run w/choke full while putting on helmet and gloves, reduce choke to 1/2. Ride for about 1/2 mile at 10-20 mph (first/second gear), then push choke all the way in, good to go.
Good advice above. Clean out the carb and see what happens then.
Good advice above. Clean out the carb and see what happens then.
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I'd start off rebuilding the carb with a good cleaning. See what jets sizes are in there, and if you have a harley shop locally, just go ahead and pick up a 45 pilot and 175 or 180 main, these are the most common sizes after a/c and ehaust mods, and jets are pretty cheap anyways. Make sure the air blead screw cap has been drilled out for access to the idle air screw. Theres a few tuning manuals here on the forums, otherwise you can just search google under Keihin sportster tuning for detailed tuning instructions. The age of the bike regarding running is meaningless..........your issues are with the carb. It may also be a good idea to check the ignition timing as well. And if you do get the bike, your best investment would be to fork over the $60 and pickup a factory service manual.
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From: Marietta, Ohio
if you don't feel like pulling the whole carb, you can try just taking the float bowl off. I do recommend getting the "right" screwdriver for those screws though. I've stripped more than my share. Just grab some carb cleaner, spray everything down, pull the jets and clean them and their venturis, and see if that fixes it. If it's only stumbling a little that should be enough of a cleaning until you can tear it down. Also check plugs, that will tell you what the mixture is like at idle. Wouldn't hurt to replace them either. I'm not gonna say "most" but all the guys I know (including me) running old bikes use autolite plugs. They're about the best I've found so far, and for some reason the bike runs better with them. And they're cheaper 
Last edited by guitarman023; Oct 1, 2009 at 09:03 AM.
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From: Colorado
if you don't feel like pulling the whole carb, you can try just taking the float bowl off. I do recommend getting the "right" screwdriver for those screws though. I've stripped more than my share. Just grab some carb cleaner, spray everything down, pull the jets and clean them and their venturis, and see if that fixes it. If it's only stumbling a little that should be enough of a cleaning until you can tear it down. Also check plugs, that will tell you what the mixture is like at idle. Wouldn't hurt to replace them either. I'm not gonna say "most" but all the guys I know (including me) running old bikes use autolite plugs. They're about the best I've found so far, and for some reason the bike runs better with them. And they're cheaper
Autolite plugs....good to know since I'm approaching replacement mileage.....Thanks!
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Thanks for the great advice. I do have experience with carbs so I'm not worried about that just wanted to make sure that year wasn't notorious for something weird. If I get it ill rebuild the carn and put the appropriate jets in there. Thanks!
Matt
Matt
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