Carb question
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Stage I
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Carb question
First off Hey everone, long time lurker, first time poster!!
I just bought a 2003 883, the person I had bought the bike of off has been riding it for the last 3 years with the choke half out at all times. I went to change the plugs and one of the plugs was really fowled? Is this a carb issue ( which I would assume it is ) Is there a way of balanceing the carbs? or might it be something else?
I just bought a 2003 883, the person I had bought the bike of off has been riding it for the last 3 years with the choke half out at all times. I went to change the plugs and one of the plugs was really fowled? Is this a carb issue ( which I would assume it is ) Is there a way of balanceing the carbs? or might it be something else?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Carb question
According to my service manual too rich of a fuel mixture can foul the plugs, leaving the choke out will create a richer mixture. Looks like you probably should change the plugs and clean the air cleaner, and don't ride with the choke open all of the time. (i'd like to know how he pulled that off, I can't even get my choke to stay open when I want it to, but thats a whole different thread)
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 980
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, Florida
RE: Carb question
Well, first off, there's only one carb, so no balancing act needed. Why anyone would spend 3 years with the "choke" (enricher) pulled out and not bother to adjust the carb, escapes me. The owners manual will tell you how that "choke" should be used -- not for very long.
By the way, congratulations on the new ride and glad you are no longer just a "lurker".
By the way, congratulations on the new ride and glad you are no longer just a "lurker".
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Carb question
Yep, choke out for long time = fouled plugs.
I have read that just because of the way a V-twin is designed, one cylinder will run a LITTLE richer. I also read a good article on proper warm-up procedure that I think I found through an H-D forums link you might be able to locate with a search.
Assuming there's no other problem I would try new, correctly gapped plugs, then tweak the idle mixture and speed so that the RPMs are correct when it's warmed up and pulling out the enrichener then causes the idle speed to jump up.
On cooler mornings, I find it best to use my enrichener in 3 stages: full out to start and the first minute or so of running; then push it in about 1/3 of the way, ride a few more minutes until the idle stays pretty high, then push in the next 1/3. After a few more minutes, depending on how the idle speed is and how the bike is running, I either push it gradually the rest of the way if stopping frequently (traffic light every block), or all the way in if it's been a half-mile or so to the next light or the next stretch of cruising road.
Again, the outside temp. is a consideration.
From what I've read, it's very individualized, but my salesman was the one who first recommended starting to push it in so soon after start-up (30 seconds to 1 minute was what he told me when I took delivery).
I have read that just because of the way a V-twin is designed, one cylinder will run a LITTLE richer. I also read a good article on proper warm-up procedure that I think I found through an H-D forums link you might be able to locate with a search.
Assuming there's no other problem I would try new, correctly gapped plugs, then tweak the idle mixture and speed so that the RPMs are correct when it's warmed up and pulling out the enrichener then causes the idle speed to jump up.
On cooler mornings, I find it best to use my enrichener in 3 stages: full out to start and the first minute or so of running; then push it in about 1/3 of the way, ride a few more minutes until the idle stays pretty high, then push in the next 1/3. After a few more minutes, depending on how the idle speed is and how the bike is running, I either push it gradually the rest of the way if stopping frequently (traffic light every block), or all the way in if it's been a half-mile or so to the next light or the next stretch of cruising road.
Again, the outside temp. is a consideration.
From what I've read, it's very individualized, but my salesman was the one who first recommended starting to push it in so soon after start-up (30 seconds to 1 minute was what he told me when I took delivery).
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 8
From:
RE: Carb question
If the previous owner used the enricher as a regular routine, that would probably suggest that the jetting is too lean to run properly without the enricher, or a lot of short trips when the motor didn't have a chance to completely warm up. You could rejet it "slightly" richer and depending on the mods this would no doubt help out here. Even a slight rejet (richening) on a stock bike will help it run better.
Put in a new set of plugs properly gapped at .040 and try it out. Enrichers should only be used when the temps prohibit the smoothe running of the motor untill a warmup is completed. Any more than that can cause cylinder washdown and premature wear on the motor along with oil dilution.
Put in a new set of plugs properly gapped at .040 and try it out. Enrichers should only be used when the temps prohibit the smoothe running of the motor untill a warmup is completed. Any more than that can cause cylinder washdown and premature wear on the motor along with oil dilution.
Stage III
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
RE: Carb question
I have the same problem with my '01 883 custom. When I got it about a yr ago it was running ok although the idle was low, I thought. Well, I didn't get a chance to use the bike too much until recently. Now it won't idle when I depress the enricher **** all the way in. When I depress the **** all the way in the engine dies. I've replaced the plugs, adjusted the throttle linkage and idle but still couldn't get it to idle with the **** fully in.
My next step would be to take the carb apart ?
I don't know what the previous owner did with the bike but the only thing I see is the Screaming Eagle exhaust.
[IMG]local://upfiles/18183/2AA84A3036144C8A80517C4203307863.jpg[/IMG]
My next step would be to take the carb apart ?
I don't know what the previous owner did with the bike but the only thing I see is the Screaming Eagle exhaust.
[IMG]local://upfiles/18183/2AA84A3036144C8A80517C4203307863.jpg[/IMG]
Stage III
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
RE: Carb question
Hi FTMS,
Have you solved your problem with the choke ?
I have the same problem and recently took my carb out and cleaned it out. I found a missing accelerator pump rod that's missing and replaced it. After putting it back again, I still need to pull out the choke/enricher **** about halfway so the bike will idle.
I also noticed that the air/fuel mixture screw is exposed, so someone has tried to adjust it in the past.
Does anyone know which direction I should turn the screw to enrich ?
[IMG]local://upfiles/18183/4F7E8FFAA38444198A2D0C02BFDF3233.jpg[/IMG]
Have you solved your problem with the choke ?
I have the same problem and recently took my carb out and cleaned it out. I found a missing accelerator pump rod that's missing and replaced it. After putting it back again, I still need to pull out the choke/enricher **** about halfway so the bike will idle.
I also noticed that the air/fuel mixture screw is exposed, so someone has tried to adjust it in the past.
Does anyone know which direction I should turn the screw to enrich ?
[IMG]local://upfiles/18183/4F7E8FFAA38444198A2D0C02BFDF3233.jpg[/IMG]
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 429
Likes: 1
From: Southampton, Pa
RE: Carb question
If you turn it clockwise it will lean out the mixture. Read the fuel carb related section in the DIY group and you will find all the info you'll need.
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