Starting Problems Harley Twin Cam Discuss Starting Problems in the Motorcycles forums; 2000 FXDWG Ported andrews 37g cam SE ign V&H Big Shots Mikuni 42 all of a sudden haveing cold start-up problems battery good trickle chg on. Bike turns right over ...

[tipper1]

2000 FXDWG Ported andrews 37g cam SE ign V&H Big Shots Mikuni 42 all of a sudden haveing cold start-up problems battery good trickle chg on. Bike turns right over coughs spits back fires (choke on) dies. next try more throttle to keep it running and in about 5 mins ok, starts fine there after only change is mikuni last yr about this time but no problems till now live in N Alabama Area formerly Known as tipper old member just re-registered as tipper1 couldnt get the sys to work for me.....help.....

[Buzz Kanter]

What do your plugs look and smell like?

And did you rejet the carb to match your pipes?

[2003FXDX]

I agree, I'd read the plugs first to see if it's set up right.

[Wrightturn]

Do you still have the stock fuel supply valve ? Check fuel flow to carb when you are having the problem. The vacuum operation may need repair and you have less vacuum at start up with the 37g cam.

[frisco-rigid]

Hi Tipper
Just got your E Mail to look at this,,I would have never seen it if you hadn't called to my attention cuz I literally have never looked in TC, V-rod or Sportster sections..
This is a tough one cuz you say it is a new prob..
With coughing and spitting I'm leaning toward a Lean Low-spd jet even with the choke on.. If overly rich and "flooded" your plugs would show wet and smell of gas.. I don't think it's rich.. There's 2 other things that I wonder about.. First off, since it's a new prob there's the possibility of an intake leak resulting in a "new" lean condition..
Next one happens to me sooo slowly that it fools me every time till I solve it..
A freshly charged battery can still be weak.. It just happened to Babies 80" last week.. It showed Highly charged, I kept it on a charger but still wouldn't start easy.. What happens is-- it has enough juice to turn the motor over vigorously but there's not enough juice to feed the Electronic Ignition, then it starts just as you let off the button cuz some extra juice shoots to the IGN..
I actually don't think it's that, but it's something to think about..
The vacuum petcock is an UN-known to me, I would never have one.. But Wrighturn could be on to something there..

I bet you have the stock 25 Low-Spd jet, try the next up- 27.5 and don't hesitate to go to a 30 if that's what it takes, these devil machines are all diff, there's no real rules here.. With the correct idle jet you should be about 1 to 1 1/4 turns OUT with the idle mix screw for best starting and idling..
The book says 1 1/2 to 2 turns but I like a tad richer jet.. BTW, I run a 30, 30, and a 32.5 in our three sickles with two 45's and a 48..

Remember, the Mik idle mix screw turns in to fatten idle, and jetting is by throttle position NOT RPM's.. Wish I had more for ya bud..

[bxbutcxh2]

Sounds like an air leak check by spraying starter fluid on intake gaskets while eng. idles if idle changes you have leak if you have an open back air cleaner spray from carb side or you will get fluid in filter & false results. IF you have a stock jetted mikuni it should be rich because they ship them that way most tuners lean out all jets to make them run better Butch

[HotRodad1]

air leak ( as previously mentioned) or plugged fuel filter?
cheers!

[tipper1]

Thanks for the input discovered today the culprit was the battery.(it was 4 Yrs old) Had it on battery tender, but when started not enough juice to handle other power drains and would not keep running. consequently plugs were fowling etc. I cant beleive thats not the first thing i should have checked Got the meter out and wah lah 11.5 volts.... Thanks again... Tipper

[HotRodad1]

it was my next guess...