Carb Cleaning?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
You will have better responses by starting a new thread for this question.
Stage I
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Hey everyone,
I bought my first harley in March and it's been a great bike so far. It's the 100th anniversary sportster 1200. Last week while riding into work I started having an issue while on the highway. The bike started bucking or hiccuping whenever I would get it up to a higher rpm just before shifting to the next gear. I took it to the local dealership and they said the carb needed cleansing which they did and that whoever had it before I bought it never had it rejetted or dynoed after putting after market pipes on. Ran great home and ran great today when riding it in but towards the end of the ride it started happening again. It not as bad as last week. My question is what could it be and is there an easy fix instead of spending big money at the dealership to get it taken care of
I bought my first harley in March and it's been a great bike so far. It's the 100th anniversary sportster 1200. Last week while riding into work I started having an issue while on the highway. The bike started bucking or hiccuping whenever I would get it up to a higher rpm just before shifting to the next gear. I took it to the local dealership and they said the carb needed cleansing which they did and that whoever had it before I bought it never had it rejetted or dynoed after putting after market pipes on. Ran great home and ran great today when riding it in but towards the end of the ride it started happening again. It not as bad as last week. My question is what could it be and is there an easy fix instead of spending big money at the dealership to get it taken care of
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 3,974
From: San Diego, CA
Hey everyone,
I bought my first harley in March and it's been a great bike so far. It's the 100th anniversary sportster 1200. Last week while riding into work I started having an issue while on the highway. The bike started bucking or hiccuping whenever I would get it up to a higher rpm just before shifting to the next gear. I took it to the local dealership and they said the carb needed cleansing which they did and that whoever had it before I bought it never had it rejetted or dynoed after putting after market pipes on. Ran great home and ran great today when riding it in but towards the end of the ride it started happening again. It not as bad as last week. My question is what could it be and is there an easy fix instead of spending big money at the dealership to get it taken care of
I bought my first harley in March and it's been a great bike so far. It's the 100th anniversary sportster 1200. Last week while riding into work I started having an issue while on the highway. The bike started bucking or hiccuping whenever I would get it up to a higher rpm just before shifting to the next gear. I took it to the local dealership and they said the carb needed cleansing which they did and that whoever had it before I bought it never had it rejetted or dynoed after putting after market pipes on. Ran great home and ran great today when riding it in but towards the end of the ride it started happening again. It not as bad as last week. My question is what could it be and is there an easy fix instead of spending big money at the dealership to get it taken care of
Welcome, you probably should post this as a separate topic and you'll get more help.
John
Last edited by John Harper; May 6, 2014 at 07:22 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
All good advice here but if I was going to the trouble to pull the carburetor and disassemble it I sure wouldn't put 14 year old gaskets and seals back in. Drag Specialties sells rebuild kits (genuine OEM) for a few dollars.
Nice ride for you!
Nice ride for you!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
I agree and I would replace the intake gaskets (which may be the real problem)....but to the original poster...I would check the oil levels, pour in some fresh hi test gas with a bit of seafoam and go for a ride (bring your cell) ..you may find all you issues disappear in 10-50 miles...when you start working on a bike with out much history you are sure to cause yourself more misery than is necessary in the long run...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
sportsters are the EASIEST bikes to pull the carbs off. two bolts removes the air cleaner, and the carb just pops out.
and there is hundreds of guides on what to do with it once its off.
some tips,
when reassembling, use your finger and spread a thin layer of grease on the float bowl gasket and on the rubber boot that the carb slides into.
and there is hundreds of guides on what to do with it once its off.
some tips,
when reassembling, use your finger and spread a thin layer of grease on the float bowl gasket and on the rubber boot that the carb slides into.
while it is prolly the easiest carb to remove it is not quite as easy as you say...there are throttle cables to deal with and the enricher (which will prolly break,as it iscrappy plastics) along with the float bowl hose and a voes hose...
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Hey everyone,
I bought my first harley in March and it's been a great bike so far. It's the 100th anniversary sportster 1200. Last week while riding into work I started having an issue while on the highway. The bike started bucking or hiccuping whenever I would get it up to a higher rpm just before shifting to the next gear. I took it to the local dealership and they said the carb needed cleansing which they did and that whoever had it before I bought it never had it rejetted or dynoed after putting after market pipes on. Ran great home and ran great today when riding it in but towards the end of the ride it started happening again. It not as bad as last week. My question is what could it be and is there an easy fix instead of spending big money at the dealership to get it taken care of
I bought my first harley in March and it's been a great bike so far. It's the 100th anniversary sportster 1200. Last week while riding into work I started having an issue while on the highway. The bike started bucking or hiccuping whenever I would get it up to a higher rpm just before shifting to the next gear. I took it to the local dealership and they said the carb needed cleansing which they did and that whoever had it before I bought it never had it rejetted or dynoed after putting after market pipes on. Ran great home and ran great today when riding it in but towards the end of the ride it started happening again. It not as bad as last week. My question is what could it be and is there an easy fix instead of spending big money at the dealership to get it taken care of
but to the original poster...I would check the oil levels, pour in some fresh hi test gas with a bit of seafoam and go for a ride (bring your cell) ..you may find all you issues disappear in 10-50 miles...when you start working on a bike with out much history you are sure to cause yourself more misery than is necessary in the long run...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
I doubt the mechanic in a can is going to help much on a 10 years old bike that's been sitting.
I just had to redo the carb on my 2000 last fall for the first time and it doesn't sit.
All you need is a small dip tank of carb cleaner from your local parts store and and disassemble the carb and soak it over night and then wash the parts in HOT water and reassemble it. You don't even need a kit unless you mess something up taking it apart.
Just take your time, there aren't that many parts to that carb.
I just had to redo the carb on my 2000 last fall for the first time and it doesn't sit.
All you need is a small dip tank of carb cleaner from your local parts store and and disassemble the carb and soak it over night and then wash the parts in HOT water and reassemble it. You don't even need a kit unless you mess something up taking it apart.
Just take your time, there aren't that many parts to that carb.
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