Backfire/stalling help please

[Spartacus]

1986 883, 7,700km (about 4,500 miles) with stock carb & jets, stock pipes, stock air cleaner, well pretty much stock everything.

When she runs, it seems to run well, but then every so often she will just stall while i'm driving. Yesterday I took the wife out and it stalled four or fives times in a twenty minute ride. Today when I tried to start it up, she turned over and over, then I stopped, she backfired, then started right up. I had a good ride and no stalling at all.

i have pulled and cleaned the carb, changed the manifold seals, cleaned and re-oiled the stock foam filter (K&N in the mail), rinsed the tank, new oil/filter, and new plugs since I bough it three weeks ago.

I'm not sure what to look at next. Any suggestions?

[sportsterdoc]

Check all your wiring: Both ends of both battery terminals, fuse block assembly, all the connectors that you can find, primary wires to coil, plug wires, plugs.

After that, check coil resistance

[Spartacus]

I didn't think it could be a wiring isue, the signal lights work, but are slow, could that be related?

[kacperix]

Hi, (im new here ao hello to everyone) i just want to add that my hd also does the same thing however with mine i sounds like its backfireing through the carb... so ill also will be interested in the outcome of this.

[sportsterdoc]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

I didn't think it could be a wiring isue, the signal lights work, but are slow, could that be related?

What is your battery voltage with key off?
What is your battery voltage with key on?
What is your battery voltage at idle?
What is your battery voltage at about 2500 RPM?

Once we get past your charging system, just because you have power to items such as turn signals does not indicate that you may not have a problem with voltage to your ignition system.

That electrical checkout should be done at least once per season, even if no problems exist.

[sportsterdoc]

Originally Posted by kacperix

Hi, (im new here ao hello to everyone) i just want to add that my hd also does the same thing however with mine i sounds like its backfireing through the carb... so ill also will be interested in the outcome of this.

How much of the same thing? Pops thru the carb are usually due to a lean carb mixture.

[sportsterdoc]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

I didn't think it could be a wiring isue, the signal lights work, but are slow, could that be related?

Let's turn this around. What indication did you have that it was a fuel/fuel mixture issue? Did it act as though it were running out of gas...or what?

[sportsterdoc]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

i have pulled and cleaned the carb, changed the manifold seals, cleaned and re-oiled the stock foam filter (K&N in the mail), rinsed the tank, new oil/filter, and new plugs since I bough it three weeks ago.

Other than no compression (hole in piston, rings not sealing, valve not closing) it is either carb related or electrical.

You have done several carb related things: You did not mention float level, fuel cock filter, so you could go a bit further with that. If "cleaned the carb" involved insuring that all jets were not obstructed and if you don't have vent issue with the fuel cap, then it should be time to start checking electrical.

[einheit 13]

Don't forget the ignition module too....they will do exactly the same thing when they start to go bad.

[sportsterdoc]

Originally Posted by einheit 13

Don't forget the ignition module too....they will do exactly the same thing when they start to go bad.

A good possibility, but I'd check the basic electrics, first.