New from Charlotte, NC - 1981 Sportster
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Charlotte, NC
New from Charlotte, NC - 1981 Sportster
So I just picked up a 1981 Sportster. I've been having a few issues with it and thought someone on here could help me troubleshoot.
This is the first bike i've worked on so I'm going to do my best to use the correct language but please excuse me if I say something stupid that wouldn't make sense.
It took some tweaking but we think we got the carb (S&S Super E) dialed in. The bike starts up and sounds awesome but when i drop it into first it gargles and dies on me. I got it to ride once a few days ago around the block and it ran like it was struggling to get gas.
Talked with a buddy (on phone) who has old hondas and he said it sounds like there is a leak somewhere that is allowing air in rather then gas. So I checked the connections from the carb to engine, both sides the rubber part under the clap (flange? someone please correct me because I don't think that is the right term) are dry rotted out. Once seemed ok though but the other one def looks like it could be letting something in there.
So my question is really two parts. Do you think that could be my issue? and if so could someone point me in the direction of where to find those rubber seals.
Sidenote: I've also been advised to just replace the S&S with a newer CV. Is that something that would be an easier solve? I know I would need an adapter so if someone thinks that would be a better route could they tell me where I could find that set up.
Any help is appreciated thanks!
This is the first bike i've worked on so I'm going to do my best to use the correct language but please excuse me if I say something stupid that wouldn't make sense.
It took some tweaking but we think we got the carb (S&S Super E) dialed in. The bike starts up and sounds awesome but when i drop it into first it gargles and dies on me. I got it to ride once a few days ago around the block and it ran like it was struggling to get gas.
Talked with a buddy (on phone) who has old hondas and he said it sounds like there is a leak somewhere that is allowing air in rather then gas. So I checked the connections from the carb to engine, both sides the rubber part under the clap (flange? someone please correct me because I don't think that is the right term) are dry rotted out. Once seemed ok though but the other one def looks like it could be letting something in there.
So my question is really two parts. Do you think that could be my issue? and if so could someone point me in the direction of where to find those rubber seals.
Sidenote: I've also been advised to just replace the S&S with a newer CV. Is that something that would be an easier solve? I know I would need an adapter so if someone thinks that would be a better route could they tell me where I could find that set up.
Any help is appreciated thanks!
Last edited by merriganc; Oct 6, 2014 at 08:36 AM.
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