FIRST Harley 2006 Sportster 883C
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
FIRST Harley 2006 Sportster 883C
Just wanted to get this out and see if anyone knows what I may be going through with my first Harley. Bought it from a college kid who didn't put more than 300 miles on the bike inside of 2 years. Bike has only 2900 miles on it total, so rather far away from being broke in. It chugs and pops, even had carbs rebuilt and stock exhaust removed.
I changed the oil, plugs, and put on a K&N Airfilter. Still have the cover over the air filter, so I know I can still improve the breathing and see if that is the issue. I'm at a loss for words, only owned it for 3 weeks and about to give up. It's an excellent looking bike, just worried if it will ever run right...Love to hear some feedback and any help...
I changed the oil, plugs, and put on a K&N Airfilter. Still have the cover over the air filter, so I know I can still improve the breathing and see if that is the issue. I'm at a loss for words, only owned it for 3 weeks and about to give up. It's an excellent looking bike, just worried if it will ever run right...Love to hear some feedback and any help...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
I was told they all do it and didn't believe that so I have been thru my carb and everything else like intake seals no help they all do pop is my conclusion because they are too lean, my bike has 7k miles fwtw.
What helped mine the most was adjusting the idle mix way out. That helped a lot but it still pops on accel or downshifting occasionally. I may back her out some more. Maybe that will help you also I hope so. I hate to re-jet it because it gets 55mpg with 2 of us on the hwy and 42 around town I like that a lot.
They will backfire when you least expect it so my advice and what I do is pull the clutch when making short turns. Especially off pavement onto dirt or gravel I dont count on the engine to keep me upright I use balance instead and slip the clutch when necessary.
I laid mine down on the pipes in my gravel driveway after a backfire killed the engine and locked up the rear wheel so I learned that lesson the hard way.
What helped mine the most was adjusting the idle mix way out. That helped a lot but it still pops on accel or downshifting occasionally. I may back her out some more. Maybe that will help you also I hope so. I hate to re-jet it because it gets 55mpg with 2 of us on the hwy and 42 around town I like that a lot.
They will backfire when you least expect it so my advice and what I do is pull the clutch when making short turns. Especially off pavement onto dirt or gravel I dont count on the engine to keep me upright I use balance instead and slip the clutch when necessary.
I laid mine down on the pipes in my gravel driveway after a backfire killed the engine and locked up the rear wheel so I learned that lesson the hard way.
Last edited by Car Doc; Jul 13, 2012 at 02:13 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
From: DuBois, PA
If you wanna stop the carb farts get a breather kit, it's not because the bike is to lean.
Just learn how to avoid making the bike do it. I have a 01 with the stock gaskets that probably look like total hell and I can avoid the popping completely. Let the bike warm up and give it enough gas to do it's thing while your temps are under normal. When you gas it try not to crack the throttle, what I mean by that is short quick jerks on the grip give it nice slow 500rpm throws. Once you get up to temp it's a lot easier to avoid. When you down shift if you don't want it to pop just do it nice and easy.
I think a normal HD motor chugs, that is kinda what it's famous for. Or maybe your bike runs horrible bad, post a video of it and maybe we can help more. But I'd say with only 3k miles on the bike, you just have a simple leak, or aren't quite used to it yet brotha.
Just learn how to avoid making the bike do it. I have a 01 with the stock gaskets that probably look like total hell and I can avoid the popping completely. Let the bike warm up and give it enough gas to do it's thing while your temps are under normal. When you gas it try not to crack the throttle, what I mean by that is short quick jerks on the grip give it nice slow 500rpm throws. Once you get up to temp it's a lot easier to avoid. When you down shift if you don't want it to pop just do it nice and easy.
I think a normal HD motor chugs, that is kinda what it's famous for. Or maybe your bike runs horrible bad, post a video of it and maybe we can help more. But I'd say with only 3k miles on the bike, you just have a simple leak, or aren't quite used to it yet brotha.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
Mind explaining what you are talking about Ironman? I am not familiar enough with Harley's yet to know what you refer to "breather kit" and just what does it do to stop carb farts sorry to the OP not trying to jack your thread bud just learning too.
Last edited by Car Doc; Jul 13, 2012 at 04:38 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 24
From: New Hampshire
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Iowa
It did have a stock exhaust, until the guy I took it to took the baffles out or something to that effect. It's lound as hell and breathes way better than it did before. I think I know more of what Ironman is talking about. More or less to take the cover off the filter and have it exposed to air to make it breathe better. They make kits for it. At least thats what I keep getting told.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I'm not the "giving up" type, but with the money I've put into this thing since I purchased it on June 22nd is trying my patience. It's 100% financed through bank and I have only had it out of the garage 3 times. I'm almost ready to just cash in my chips, get out of it what I paid for it, and move on. However that's easier said than done.