What carb are you running.?
Does it kick to life right-away after each time it dies.?
NOW, easy cold starting could mean that the idle or over-all carb adjustment is a bit too rich..
In-other-words, perfect for starting, especially cold, but tooo fat for normal operation and it loads up kinda like a choke stuck closed .. Just wingin it here..
I am not familiar with that Air-Bubble Shovel referred to, sounds like a good place to look though..
And, my Pans had manual Distributors, but I am also Not familiar with the trick Wright mentioned..
Great suggestions, I would start with them..
Unfortunately lotsa stuff can cause this prob including intake leaks, points, plug gap, condenser, coil, carb adjustment or debris in carb, bad wires, etc etc.. I've had to deal with everyone of them at some time or other.. Might be time for an elimination process.. Bummer dude..
I had a prob slightly similar once.. I had a motor that would die after a high-spd Hi-way run ONLY if I got caught at the light at the end of the exit.. It simply needed a fatter idle adjustment.. I still don't understand the WHY of it though..
I would not think it is a venting issue.. Poor venting usually affects higher RPM's Not low-slow approaching idle RPM's.. It woulda died before you slowed down.. Keep us informed..
__________________ "Fill your hands you son of a bitch"
Rooster Cogburn
Last edited by frisco-rigid; 07-22-2008 at 08:52 PM.
Thanks guys, You have all given me good direction as to troubleshooting. Right now I am pretty certain it is the gas cap, but I gotta get out and put some miles on it, when someone is home, to tow me home if needed. Sorry, JC. But most of my posts are typed quickly in case the boss walks in if you know what I mean. No offence. A pic is attached. The Pan frame in the background is coming along a lot slower than I hoped.
LF
Nice. It doesn't look like you have a terrible amount of drippage on that cardboard either. The local military surplus store had an all original WLA on display, we all lusted after that bike but the sign on it made it clear, " not for sale".
Early one Sunday morning 20 some odd years ago I was browsing through the classifieds in the paper, saw an ad for a WLA...95% original $400. I called right away...7am and that thing was gone. I always figured one of the typesetters or other staff grabbed that up! Even if you were not into bikes you would recognize a bargain like that...what a deal!!
__________________ '73 FX
'85 XLX
'02 FLHTCUI
Read
2 Chron 7:14
Please join me in this prayer daily.
This is my Granddaughter Sky, age 7. Can't walk, talk, or feed herself but look at that smile. Anyone care to complain about their lot in life? Not me![IMG][/IMG]
Yeah Mike, the ones that got away. I remember a police auction in Chicago about 30 years ago, could have bought all the servicars you wanted for less than $600 each. We were young and shortsighted. Wanted fast and cool only.
Lethal: I know exaclty what you are saying as to the boss walking by. You either minimize the screen or hit enter and hope they dont see.
Its a nice looking bike. I did a little read up on the WLA. So now I am a little more "edjumecated" I wonder if there is a military record of where that bike has been and seen? Was some young recruit running for his life on it, Chasing down bad guys? Or was it only used in a parade for some Generals Birthday Party back stateside. Be interesting to find out.
So far all I know it was part of the WWII Lend Lease program. It still has Russian tires on it. The last owner found two and by way of Finland (I think) got them to the states.
LF
Really does sound like a choke stuck on. The shop trike I rode years ago would eat breaker points. When it would start easy and not want to take gas the points were too close together. I could take them out and file them regap and go chase parts in 5min. The trike had been made from a Servicar.
Is there any smoke from the exhaust ? I gather it has been like this since you got the bike. Have you run a compression test yet ? Test the wires with an ohmeter. Are they correct ? Does the manual distributor move properly ?
Really is a beauty and I am sure you will get it right.
Lethal sounds like a fuel starvation problem, have you checked the gas flow from the tank to the carb? Could be a clogged shut off, screen in the tank.
Have you checked the float level?
Lethal: I know exaclty what you are saying as to the boss walking by. You either minimize the screen or hit enter and hope they dont see..
That is pretty funny, I work with my wife, and years ago, did not want to let her know that I was addicted to Harley forums, did not want her to know how much time I spent chatting with my gearhead Harley buddies while I should have been working. So would change the screen every time she came behind me.
She though I was having a internet affair, yea really. So I finally fested up now just let her see what I am doing.
Now, she is always asking how’s Frisco, Shovel, Evo, Stroker?
Especially when I am behind, on my work, it is her way of saying, "GET TO WORK STEVE."
[IMG]
[/IMG] 
Linear Mode
