I'm very new to motorcycles so go easy on me. I've replaced my air filter yesterday after having my first bike for about a month, (there was a dead fly in the old one for god's sake) with the K&N for life air filter. This may be a coincidence but since replacing it, when I am moving around in first, I feel a misfire (i think this is right term, the bike almost 'farts' a bit like its going to stall, but i give it more throttle and it seems okay)

What i have noticed is that this happens more-so when cold, but before the airfilter i would have the choke out and ride two miles on a cold start (as per manual) and i would get no 'farting'

Any ideas? Thanks guys

 

What bike is this? carb bike?

 

ha how stupid of me to forget about that - its a 2003 883 so yes, carb.

Thanks for replying

 

Im not sure man, but I'd check your plugs. make sure they are nice and clean. I doubt anything to do with getting more air in.. and some carb cleaner in the carb never hurts as well. Premium gas, more air, better spark, clean carb.. etc. all can factor in and work together.
I'd do those 2 first.

 

Even in the stock A/C can, a K&N filter will flow more air than the stock filter and that will produce a leaner A/F ratio.

You can read-up here on carb tuning.

 

If the carb is stock, nobody's messed with changing jets then it is probably running a little lean and the carb farts are a symptom of this. All carbed EVO Sportsters are set up lean from the factory to meet EPA requirements. By you adding a fresh, free flowing air filter you made it even leaner. check to see if the idle mixture screw has the plug drilled out and richen up the mix about a quarter or half turn... (should not be more than 3 1/2 turns out total)

Also might be a good idea to replace the intake seals, they are notorious for leaking with age and that will lean one or both cylinders. They are cheap and should be replaced every 5 years or so.

 

Go back and recheck your installion, maybe there's an air leak somwhere.

And, do those life filters need to be oiled once in a while ?

 

Yes, the K&N filters have to be oiled.

 

Ah shoot i totally forgot about oiling the filter (as the one in my car does not require it) hopefully I didn't do too much damage.

I checked the spark plugs a few days ago and they look great.

I will try to check out the idle mixture screw when i can

 

I know, it was a polite nudge to the OP.. and it seemed it worked.

After you oil the filter, you may still have to adjust the fuel a bit.
I did on mine.