Help me
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: New York
Help me
I have a 98 harley 1200xl sportster and need major help. I was at work and couldnt start it for nothing and trying pop starting it then i quick. I pushed motor start and it did then I started driving after I warmed it up. I was driving down the freeway after work last week and my bike started to make a popping noise then all of the sudden it just cut off. I was doing 65mph and had to pull over to the side. I tried and tried to get it to start but it didnt so had to get it towed. It wines up and wines up but doesnt start. I have gas and dont know where to start. It will not do anything. please help
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 135
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RE: Help me
If it's not an ignition problem, it may be a gas problem. You have gas in the tank but it may not be getting to the carburator. There is a strainer (filter) inside the tank, above the petcock, that may be clogged. Or the petcock (which is opened by vacuum) may not be opening.
Disconnect the fuel line and apply vacuum to the rubber hose on the back side of the petcock. You should have fuel running through the petcock.
Disconnect the fuel line and apply vacuum to the rubber hose on the back side of the petcock. You should have fuel running through the petcock.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: New York
RE: Help me
I havent tried that. So how would i go about that. I mean i am a little lacking the motorcycle skills and dont know how to do that. I will be trying that this weekend and let you know if that worked or not.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: Help me
You didn't mention the mileage on the bike or if it is ridden often but generally, when a bike won't start it is either fuel, fire or compression.
If the bike isn't ridden much, you could have a fuel supply problem. You can easily pull the carb and give it a good cleaning, especially the bowl and needle valve. As suggested, you should also remove the fuel valve located at the bottom of the tank on the low side of the bike. It is normally a double nut configuration. The filter screen is up inside the tank. Drain the tank, pull the valve and give the screen a good cleaning.
Popping doesn't sound like a fuel problem but an ignition problem, maybe a bad coil or bad spark plug wires.
You might consider getting a service manual for your bike. Not sure if the Harley shop will have one for a 98 but I am certain you can get a clymers off the internet.
Good luck.
If the bike isn't ridden much, you could have a fuel supply problem. You can easily pull the carb and give it a good cleaning, especially the bowl and needle valve. As suggested, you should also remove the fuel valve located at the bottom of the tank on the low side of the bike. It is normally a double nut configuration. The filter screen is up inside the tank. Drain the tank, pull the valve and give the screen a good cleaning.
Popping doesn't sound like a fuel problem but an ignition problem, maybe a bad coil or bad spark plug wires.
You might consider getting a service manual for your bike. Not sure if the Harley shop will have one for a 98 but I am certain you can get a clymers off the internet.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: New York
RE: Help me
well the bike has about 60,000 miles on it and the fuel problem i really need to get to it and see. I really havent had any idea on where to start. i picked up a manuel today before i went to work. I hope its not an ignition problem but if it is then that might be it. Well I rode it after 3 weeks. but i fire it up and ride for a good amount of time. So on the average i ride it about 6 hours every 3 weeks but that 6 hours is all at once.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: New York
Help me
Ok i did everything I could think of. Last night I went home and started it up and it started right up. I let it idle for about 10 minutes and then took it for a 10 minute ride cracking the throttle and letting it off. i pulled it back into the garage and turned it off then tried to start it up and it wouldnt. I believe it is my ignition but if you have some advice i would appreciate it
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