Fuel milage again
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland,TN USA
Fuel milage again
My mileage has gone off the deep end. If I get 75 miles on a tank I am doing good. 3.3 tank. 2.9 gal average fillup.
My question is, could the idle mix cause this much drop? I was getting near 35, which I thought was low for a sportster, but was much better than now.
I had some air and fuel problems which were repaired, and the carb was apart, cleaned, and adjusted during the repairs, and I think the idle mix is about 2 1/2 out from seated.
The needle had washers on it and had grooves in it for alternate placement. Is this an aftermarket needle. The clip was in the top groove with ,if I remember right, 3 washers.
I was getting better mileage when the petcock diaphragm was leaking raw gas into the vacuum line.
My question is, could the idle mix cause this much drop? I was getting near 35, which I thought was low for a sportster, but was much better than now.
I had some air and fuel problems which were repaired, and the carb was apart, cleaned, and adjusted during the repairs, and I think the idle mix is about 2 1/2 out from seated.
The needle had washers on it and had grooves in it for alternate placement. Is this an aftermarket needle. The clip was in the top groove with ,if I remember right, 3 washers.
I was getting better mileage when the petcock diaphragm was leaking raw gas into the vacuum line.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Alexandria, VA
I agree! Something is wrong. I have a 99 883 and constantly get an average of 40 mpg around town and yesterday on a 200+ mile road trip got over 50 mpg. Even if you have a 1200 you should do much better gas mileage. I'd see if you can't get someone else to look at it.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland,TN USA
Okay, I noticed something the other day and figure it may play a part in my poor mileage.
While riding in most any gear at lower rpm, I can feel a very slight variation in the engine. I don't want to call it a surge but that is probably the best description. It is very slight and not noticeable unless I am on a smooth road at a steady slower speed.
I think I will try to test that pita petcock for maybe a pinhole.
Any suggestions will be appreciated
Oh, and "the dumbest mechanic ever" did touch my carb. That would be yours truly.
While riding in most any gear at lower rpm, I can feel a very slight variation in the engine. I don't want to call it a surge but that is probably the best description. It is very slight and not noticeable unless I am on a smooth road at a steady slower speed.
I think I will try to test that pita petcock for maybe a pinhole.
Any suggestions will be appreciated
Oh, and "the dumbest mechanic ever" did touch my carb. That would be yours truly.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 7
Okay, I noticed something the other day and figure it may play a part in my poor mileage.
While riding in most any gear at lower rpm, I can feel a very slight variation in the engine. I don't want to call it a surge but that is probably the best description. It is very slight and not noticeable unless I am on a smooth road at a steady slower speed.
I think I will try to test that pita petcock for maybe a pinhole.
Any suggestions will be appreciated
Oh, and "the dumbest mechanic ever" did touch my carb. That would be yours truly.
While riding in most any gear at lower rpm, I can feel a very slight variation in the engine. I don't want to call it a surge but that is probably the best description. It is very slight and not noticeable unless I am on a smooth road at a steady slower speed.
I think I will try to test that pita petcock for maybe a pinhole.
Any suggestions will be appreciated
Oh, and "the dumbest mechanic ever" did touch my carb. That would be yours truly.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland,TN USA
I was going to check some things out yesterday but when I started it I couldn't help myself and wound up putting about a hundred more miles on her.
I am going to read back up on plug reading and see if it is a rich condition. I'm pretty sure it is, but I am trying to change my "mechanicing" routine from guessing and throwing parts to actually eliminating possibilities.
I am also going to do a "suck" test on the petcock again. I should have gotten rid of that thing last time I had a problem with it but...
Oh yeah, I have not smelled gas since my first petcock problem about a year ago.
When I filled up yesterday at 55 miles it took exactly 2.0 gallons.
I am going to read back up on plug reading and see if it is a rich condition. I'm pretty sure it is, but I am trying to change my "mechanicing" routine from guessing and throwing parts to actually eliminating possibilities.
I am also going to do a "suck" test on the petcock again. I should have gotten rid of that thing last time I had a problem with it but...
Oh yeah, I have not smelled gas since my first petcock problem about a year ago.
When I filled up yesterday at 55 miles it took exactly 2.0 gallons.
Last edited by mooseye; Aug 27, 2012 at 09:44 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 7
I was going to check some things out yesterday but when I started it I couldn't help myself and wound up putting about a hundred more miles on her.
I am going to read back up on plug reading and see if it is a rich condition. I'm pretty sure it is, but I am trying to change my "mechanicing" routine from guessing and throwing parts to actually eliminating possibilities.
I am also going to do a "suck" test on the petcock again. I should have gotten rid of that thing last time I had a problem with it but...
Oh yeah, I have not smelled gas since my first petcock problem about a year ago.
When I filled up yesterday at 55 miles it took exactly 2.0 gallons.
I am going to read back up on plug reading and see if it is a rich condition. I'm pretty sure it is, but I am trying to change my "mechanicing" routine from guessing and throwing parts to actually eliminating possibilities.
I am also going to do a "suck" test on the petcock again. I should have gotten rid of that thing last time I had a problem with it but...
Oh yeah, I have not smelled gas since my first petcock problem about a year ago.
When I filled up yesterday at 55 miles it took exactly 2.0 gallons.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 281
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland,TN USA
I just went out an pulled the carb before dark and the clip was in the third groove from the top. I am going to try moving it up one groove and take out the washers.Do you guys think that will help? I don't recall the jet sizes right now but I do remember that they were the same as the book recommends stock.
The bike has Sampson long straight pipes if that helps. I don't know the exact name. Thing is, they were on it when it was getting 35-37mpg.
The plugs look a little dark but not wet. The petcock is not bypassing fuel. I checked it.
I need to let the diaphragm dry out overnight to reinstall it so if I can get a little more input between now and then I can try something else before remounting the carb on the bike.
Well, I tried to post a picture of the plug from photobucket and snapfish and can't get either to work.
The bike has Sampson long straight pipes if that helps. I don't know the exact name. Thing is, they were on it when it was getting 35-37mpg.
The plugs look a little dark but not wet. The petcock is not bypassing fuel. I checked it.
I need to let the diaphragm dry out overnight to reinstall it so if I can get a little more input between now and then I can try something else before remounting the carb on the bike.
Well, I tried to post a picture of the plug from photobucket and snapfish and can't get either to work.
