KL9 F4i Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Hey guys need a little help. My buddy just picked up an '82 Harley Sportster Ironhead and it is having a few problems. We picked it up last week and it kept dying and running like crap[ended up putting it in a truck to get it home]... This weekend he replaced plugs and battery and she was running really good. However, today we were riding and and when I was behind him the bike was making a Popping sound every so often and a small flame could be seen in the exhaust when it would pop. Also, the bike has issues starting up every once in awhile [not too frequently though] Hopefully someone can shoot me back some advice to give him. I dont really i know what to tell him because I ride a sportbike and no nothing about a carburated bikes, much less harley's. Maybe someone on here might be able to help out. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obesityrules Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 this should be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Thats exactly why people buy harleys, they want truck bed, or trailer decorations with poorly tuned motors that barely idle...your friend should push it off a cliff, and videotape the explosion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan_c_F Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 BRAAP BUUBUBUURAAAPP BRAPBPRRAPAPPRAPBRAPPBRUPUPBRAAAPthere that's better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheech Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 magley snark aside, it sounds like the carbs need to be completely stripped and cleaned. Not too sure on the bike's history, but if it's been sitting around for a while (years, not months) these things happen. Before you expend the time and effort to rip everything apart, try running some Seafoam mixed with the gas and see what that does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 +1 on carb cleaning. But first get some Seafoam, and not some imitation. Seafoam only FTW. Put it in the gas per the directions then go out and drive it like you stole it for a tankful. Edit Oh, poster above me also mentioned Seafoam. He is a very astute poster...so +1 on his Seafoam idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheech Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 BRAAP BUUBUBUURAAAPP BRAPBPRRAPAPPRAPBRAPPBRUPUPBRAAAPthere that's betterBRRRRRUM brum brum brum brum brum brum BRUM BRUM! brum brum brum brum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheech Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 +1 on carb cleaning. But first get some Seafoam, and not some imitation. Seafoam only FTW. Put it in the gas per the directions then go out and drive it like you stole it for a tankful. Edit Oh, poster above me also mentioned Seafoam. He is a very astute poster...so +1 on his Seafoam idea.aw, shucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboglock Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Hey guys need a little help. My buddy just picked up an '82 Harley Sportster Ironhead and it is having a few problems. We picked it up last week and it kept dying and running like crap[ended up putting it in a truck to get it home]... This weekend he replaced plugs and battery and she was running really good. However, today we were riding and and when I was behind him the bike was making a Popping sound every so often and a small flame could be seen in the exhaust when it would pop. Also, the bike has issues starting up every once in awhile [not too frequently though] Hopefully someone can shoot me back some advice to give him. I dont really i know what to tell him because I ride a sportbike and no nothing about a carburated bikes, much less harley's. Maybe someone on here might be able to help out. Thanks.the fire and poping could just be a back fire when he lets off the gas or down shifts. Harley's never idle good thats part of the fun they dont get in sink till higher rpm's. Just run it till it stops running thats what I would do. then you will know that you really have a problem. Dont let the 4 banger nut huger's get on you to much for asking for a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 potato potato potato... Agree with seafoam (PER DIRECTIONS! more isn't better)and it does sound like it's running pretty much perfect for a harley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 With a HD of that era you could have a variety of issues. A tuneup is a good start. Then maybe check the seals on the air intake and the exhaust. If that doesn't do the trick, I would say it's time to pull the heads and check the valve seals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Oh, and what color are the plugs when you take them out now? Sounds like it might be just a bit lean on the idle circuit the way you describe the decel popping. That might be all you are up against right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 wait, what? geez, check the spark timing first. To make it worse, some Harleys were known for bad timing marks. A few have to be top dead centered and have new marks put on. It's worth a look in the sparkplug hole when rotating, to see if it even looks like it's at top dead center when rotating to the timing mark. Best to use two people sometimes. But if it's stopped at the top of piston lift, it should be right on the TDC mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapphy Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 It sounds to me that it is a combo is dirty carbs and dirty valves. Timing might be a issue as well, but I would start with the dirt issue. Good gas, and drive it like ya stole it to blow much of it out as you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 +1 on carb cleaning. But first get some Seafoam, and not some imitation. Seafoam only FTW. Put it in the gas per the directions then go out and drive it like you stole it for a tankful. Edit Oh, poster above me also mentioned Seafoam. He is a very astute poster...so +1 on his Seafoam idea. on the seafoam. Good stuff!Oh, and I don't know about Cheech being an astute poster, maybe more of an ASS TOOT poster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KL9 F4i Posted April 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Thanks guys I have forwarded this info to him and he is goin to go get some seafoam today and we will go from there! I will keep you all updated..thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheech Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 on the seafoam. Good stuff!Oh, and I don't know about Cheech being an astute poster, maybe more of an ASS TOOT poster! that's it, next time I come to your shop I'm doing a burnout in your garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 that's it, next time I come to your shop I'm doing a burnout in your garage. Wouldn't the first burnout done around here. It's not me that you'd ahve to contend with, I just work here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 that's it, next time I come to your shop I'm doing a burnout in your garage. Do it in his living room.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r92b4T0XXxA&feature=related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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