help- new owner (bike only runs with choke)

[respectmeinc]

Bought a 05 sportster that was rear ended from a inusrance company. Bike has bent rear rim and needs a fender. Bike will only run with choke on and barley. Pulled the plugs and man, they were not good looking. All crusty and black. Were do i start, a little concerned my good deal may not be one. Bike has 9k miles. Were do i even start? (plugs were hd plugs so prob the originals and it has screaming eagle pipes with the baffles removed)

[bombaman]

Put new plugs in and see what happens. The plugs are probably black from using the choke or just too rich. Stock pipes and A/C? 9K miles is prety new for that engine.

[bombaman]

(plugs were hd plugs so prob the originals and it has screaming eagle pipes with the baffles removed)


Okay...sorry. Need to read closer.

[respectmeinc]

A/C confused? There screaming eagle pipes with the baffles removed. (i didnt do it), Were would i start on it running poor or not at all with out the choke out. It wants to fall flat on its face if you give it any gas at all

[jharback]

A/C confused? There screaming eagle pipes with the baffles removed. (i didnt do it), Were would i start on it running poor or not at all with out the choke out. It wants to fall flat on its face if you give it any gas at all

A/C is Air Cleaner. Your plugs are black because you've been running it with the choke out. It will only run with the choke out because you are running way too lean (too much air). Sounds like you might have an air leak around the manifold. Pull your air cleaner and inspect the manifold where it is attached to both the carb and the heads.

[respectmeinc]

Just ran it around the block, plugs looked real real crusty and sooted, hmmm, il have to pull the air cleaner and inspect/use some carb cleaner to see if it has leaks, any other ideas?

[BWP 5p]

inspect/use some carb cleaner to see if it has leaks, any other ideas?

How long was it sitting? I'd say it also may need fresh gas.
Some use propane or WD 40 to check for intake leaks. If this has been sitting for a long time, you may want to pull the carb and give it a thorough cleaning!

Were those the new plugs that looked crusty after a trip around the block?

[misterT]

WD 40 to check for intake leaks. If this has been sitting for a long time, you may want to pull the carb and give it a thorough cleaning! +1 also check the vacum operated petcock for leaks in the vacum line. I wouldn't worry too much about the running problems, this can be fixed I seriously dought it could be anything major.

[Bob F]

I see it's your first post. Hello from Pittsburgh and welcome to the XLForum.