Help!!! - Harley Forum

Marty Winger · #1 06-25-2009, 08:52 PM

I got a 98 Sportster S. Seems that when after a warm-up, I start to open the throttle (slowly) the bike will start to STALL. If I gas the hell out of it, it'll "catch" and I'm off to the next stop.

I can adjust the idle screw (outside), but the "inside the removed tube plug" makes no changes at all-and that go's from full in to 3 turns out.

I have the stock NOKT needle and I'm in Vegas and don't think I have to worry about being to high in alt. I tried to add 2 washers too, but that didn't do anything either.

ANYONE GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Thanks, ya'll

Marty W

evoKENevo · #2 06-26-2009, 12:15 AM

Hi,Marty
Sounds like you may be running a bit fat on your idle circuit...starting and running O.K. 'til warmed up...then having to "gas the hell out of it" before things "catch" etc...noting that opening your throttle also allows more air in as you get into mid-range and relying on the needle and/or main jet at WOT. But we need more info to go on like what if any intake/exhaust and jetting changes have been made...ignition timeing...spark plug condition...air filter condition...etc.

Meanwhile it also sounds like you may be raising your idle up with the idle screw (outside) too much for the idle mixture screw to have any effect. But,here again,more info needed...just shooting in the dark for now.

frisco-rigid · #3 06-26-2009, 02:54 AM

Hey Marty

Ken raised some very good points..
Usually if the idle circuit is Rich it starts very easy & quick but can be too fat after warming------AND,,, that just maybe your idle Speed adjust is adjusted high enough to not even be in the idle circuit anymore but is Now in the intermediate circuit.. But,,, if that were the case it would just Go Off down the road from a High Idle.. I've done kinda similar experimenting with S&S inter jets like that..
And also to ask about perf changes and timing, etc etc..
Good points for sure..

But my intuition still drops down on a too lean idle adjust And/Or also Maybe idle jet,, and how bout the accell pump.. Why????
Cuz when I hear hoofbeats I think of Horses Not Zebras..
Also cuz I think for it to stall with a slow throttle opening it would have to be Waaaaay toooo freakin rich..

This is one place where it's a good idea to read the plugs after just idling into the firebase after a ride..
If they're That rich they'll be Fluffy Black or More..

I would gently seat that A/F screw (the hidden one) and back it out 1 1/2 turns and bring idle speed to normal,, about 900 R's..

Also check for intake leaks..

Then come back & talk to us..

evoKENevo · #4 06-26-2009, 09:14 AM

Frisco just made a lot of good points too...and all very viable,of course. But (uhhh) just one more of my Zebras

that I neglected to mention/question...are you sure your choke/enrichener is operating and/or being operated correctly ? Heck...just forgetting (not uncommon) to close that circuit completely could explain a lot here too...especially IF you have'nt had reason to use it OR thought to check it lately...noting you say it STARTS to STALL but DOES'NT kind of like "stumbling" before you get going...yes...no...maybe ???

Bottom line...me thinks we're both still kinda shooting in the dark,'till you shed some more light on the subject and we can sort the Horses from the Zebras

Marty Winger · #5 06-26-2009, 04:19 PM

Hi Evo and Frisco:

Thanks for the quick reply! It sure is a lot to think about, so I'm going to print all of you're answers so I can absorb it and try to make some sense outta it, and make the changes you both suggested. I know it ain't rocket science-but pretty damn close!

I sure appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Thanks again and I'll let you know what'all I came up with...

I sure hate to do that HD thing...you know, go to a Harley store and get that Hundred Dollar bill.

Marty W

unclepsycho · #6 06-26-2009, 09:35 PM

Horses, and Zebra's... no one thinks "goats" ???

I like the accel pump for this one, as Frisco suggests...... just a guess...

Marty Winger · #7 06-27-2009, 12:10 AM

Thanks unclepsycho,

funny that was the first thing I thought of too so I dropped the bottom and checked the rubber.

It sure seemed like it was as good as new and I was careful putting the damn thing back as gentle as possible besides making sure it fit into the ring and no holes was in it?

Maybe its just worth getting another one just for the hell of it so's I don't have to worry about it, you suppose?

EvoKenevo and Frisco gave me some ideas too so I'm gonna check them out too. Odd too that (?) was ok at one time so I wonder if doing the drill thing and jet size thing is that important?

Thanks!
Marty W

evoKENevo · #8 07-21-2009, 02:49 PM

Hey Marty/others
The following is pasted/copied here from a new thread started to follow up where this one left off...because it was kind of confusing standing alone out of context and figured I take the liberty to tie it all together...especially in keeping with the last line witten in it.

***********************************************
Ken: Thanks for a follow-up to my dilemma. I think I found the problem...and it was dumb **** me!

First problem was that I shoulda' paid more attention to what the hell I was taking apart to put it back together the same way. To be sure here it is:

1. I put the needle (NOKT) on top of the spring holder instead of under it.
2. I forgot to put the brass ring that holds the needle on at all, then figured out that the
brass ring needs to go under the needle and both go under the plastic spring holder.
3. After I totally ****ed up a good set of plugs, in order to check everything, I needed
to buy more plugs-it sucks when you have a dual head motor! By the way, this time,
by chance I'm trying some Champion RA8HC plugs and I got them at the local
AutoZone here in Vegas for $1.50 a pop, so I bought 8 of em' just because, what a
deal compared to H-D (Hundred Dollar-Company). I have tried NGK's and they seemed
ok too, so I have no clue what H-D is hustling or who makes them.
4. Of course before I did all that I had to charge the battery again...what a dufuss.

Thanks again for your interest, and if any of it has any value-pass it on!

************************************************** ****

For anyone not "connecting the dots" here...what Marty had managed to do in error (with out previously mentioning it) was to raise the position of his jet-needle causing the "fat

zebra" alluded to...and is a perfect example of why it is sooooooo neccesary for guys asking for help to answer the questions asked by us who're at a loss without ALL the facts...especially when it comes to the "whatevers" occuring just before problems develope.

Marty Winger · #9 07-21-2009, 03:39 PM

Hi Ken:

Thanks for your reply. You're right, "PAY ATTENTION," folks. Hopefully someone will pick up on the error and the incident will give them some insight to go thru the process.

I also think its good to do-instead of giving it to the Hundred Dollar store. You read about all the ones that do and they enjoy the machine a bit more (too).

Funniest part of all of this is that I'm an Ole (retired) Flight Instructor, and between knowing what you can and cannot take apart, I shoulda' paid more attention.

I'll check in more often and hope to help others as you, Frosco, and Unclepsyco do-enjoy the ride.

Marty W