Can't accelerate or it dies.

[Sporty B]

I have a 1997 883 with the 1200 kit and drag pipes. It started popping through the exhaust all the time. I replaced the intake gaskets but did not get them to seal well. I sent it to a guy that claimed to be a Harley mechanic. He installed a cv calibration kit, which was new main jet, needle, and spring. He called me and told me he did not know what was wrong with it. I got it back and the bike idles, although it does not seem to idle as smooth as it did. I have absolutely no midrange. The engine will just fall on its face and try to die. I have read and read and think the problem is with the needle. I got the kit from the guy and notice that it came with 2 different needles, the one installed is closest to stock. When I first got the bike back, the new plugs were fouled. I thought that since it would idle it was the needle causing it to run to rich. So I moved the clip on the needle up and installed new plugs. No real change, except these plugs are not looking fouled, maybe more on the lean side but I am not sure I am getting a good enough reading since I can’t ride it. So I moved the clip back down, thinking he just fouled the plugs during his poor diagnosing. Still no difference. I compared the needles and found the stock one was longer with the clip in the position. So I replaced the needle with the stock. Still no difference, and the plugs are either showing lean or nothing, I still can’t ride it. I have tried the idle drop method and read though the tuning posts, but can’t seem to figure out what I might be doing wrong. I have clamped off the vacuum line from the tank, no change. Anyone see what I am doing wrong, or wants to give me some guidance? If I don’t get something figured out by the end of the week, I am trailering it to the nearest dealer. If this is talked about somewhere else I am sorry, I have spent a week searching and have not found the fix yet.

[Sporty B]

Here is a video of it in the garage


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK867...ature=youtu.be

[XLXR]

Carb basics and jetting by reading the plugs

If the bike used to run good, and suddenly started running bad with no other changes, the jetting is not the problem. The jetting does not change, unless you change something else or plug up something.

Next problem is it seems you and your mechanic are just guessing. Proper carb tuning starts with eliminating problems and then following a step by step method. Read the link above for more info.

[MacSporty02]

"I replaced the intake gaskets but did not get them to seal well". I'd go back and replace the intake seals and make sure they seal correctly.

[Sporty B]

Originally Posted by MacSporty02

"I replaced the intake gaskets but did not get them to seal well". I'd go back and replace the intake seals and make sure they seal correctly.

I repositioned the intake and started the engine. Now when I spray it with carb cleaner there is no change in rpm's. So I believe that the intake is sealed now.

[Sporty B]

Originally Posted by XLXR

Carb basics and jetting by reading the plugs

If the bike used to run good, and suddenly started running bad with no other changes, the jetting is not the problem. The jetting does not change, unless you change something else or plug up something.

Next problem is it seems you and your mechanic are just guessing. Proper carb tuning starts with eliminating problems and then following a step by step method. Read the link above for more info.

I had pulled a plug before any of this started and they were white, so I think it was running lean that is why it was popping. I took it to the mechanic and he was guessing. He tried to re-jet the carb with the intake leak. I got the bike back, fixed the intake leak and tried following the steps listed. It had a 170 main jet. I set the air flow screw at 2 ½ turns, the needle had the clip at the third notch from the top and set the idle once the choke was off. When I tried driving it I could not accelerate into 2nd gear. So I tried starting from scratch and it still won’t allow the rpm’s to rise.

[Don Burton]

Originally Posted by XLXR

If the bike used to run good, and suddenly started running bad with no other changes, the jetting is not the problem. The jetting does not change, unless you change something else or plug up something.

True! He needs to diagnose this recent problem rather than trying diffent tuning parts. I wonder if he has checked his slide diaphragm for pinholes or tears?

[Ireeman]

Originally Posted by Don Burton

True! He needs to diagnose this recent problem rather than trying diffent tuning parts. I wonder if he has checked his slide diaphragm for pinholes or tears?

15 year old carb, last place i would look for that.

[randy3934]

Just went through this with a friends 99, the slide diaphram had a hole in it and the diaphram in the fuel petcock was shot also, changed out the slide diaphram first but still ran like crap, but it ran fine when in the reserve position, replaced the petcock diaphram and everything was good again, full kit in the carb also.

[Sporty B]

So a couple of questions, if I run the petcock in reserve will it over ride the diaphragm? What is the easiest way to check the petcock and the slide diaphragm? I have visible checked the diaphragm and did not see any tears, maybe I missed a small pinhole though, how should I check it besides visibly?