harley problem

[zaphodbb]

ok guys i have a harley that wont fire up after a long run, my m8 has taken it to harley and they say theres nothing wrong with it, and to a guy i know in ft lauderdale who is a harley expert, i had a big bore motor put in about 4 years ago (96") and since then its had a lot of problems. but i seem to remember a problem like this in my youth with a triumph i had and put bigger pistons in. it was something to do with the carborator getting hot, so anyone have any ideas .... and please no smartass answers about harleys being shit bikes i have ridden bikes for 45 years and dont need some dumbass kid telling me harleys suck, if ya know or think you know i would appreciate it guys, thanks

[Dreamer]

OK Zap I am curious if they adjusted the carbs at the same time?? Did they put in bigger jets and adjust the needles?

You mentioned that you have had problems since it was bored out. Does it stutter??

[Chimaera]

The thing i wondered was does it do it on a short run?

If it only does it on a long run then it begs the question are the oversize pistons correct size for the bore?

Whilst you are running on a long run the force from the wheels moving assists the engine turning by a few percent, which can overcome the resistance if you have tight pistons or rings that get bigger because of the heat, and then trap slightly as you stop ?

Does it start again after an hour or so after its cooled down?

[zaphodbb]

ok i had the whole motor done top to bottom the jets were done for the big bore motor and last time i was over it ran like a raped ape it was very fast, the only problem then was a loose wire from the alternator to the battery and it would run out of juice and the bike would not start without a jump or a recharge of the battery. i had this fixed and it was sweet before i left, this time im not sure my m8 says after a long run (how far i dont know) it wont fire up again he says it turns over ok but wont fire, but dont really know what he means exactly. im just worried its not fixed when i get there. the two places he took the bike to say its running great and there's nothing wrong with it, but if it wont start after a run hmmm, thanks dreamy and chim for your ideas i will look into it further

[racin-snake]

can you give us any details on whether its sparking when hot and what system of ignition its working on ? also if there is too much fuel after its hot it may flood ? on re start could also as been suggested the re bore may have taken off too much of the liner and may be perculating the fuel in the float chamber ?
any more info ..?

[zaphodbb]

can you give us any details on whether its sparking when hot and what system of ignition its working on ? also if there is too much fuel after its hot it may flood ? on re start could also as been suggested the re bore may have taken off too much of the liner and may be perculating the fuel in the float chamber ?
any more info ..?

thanks m8 makes sense what you are saying, i dont have enuff information on what the exact problem is, and my m8 has not emailed me back with the info i asked for. before i left the last time we all went on a run of about 200 miles and it ran and started great after the run so i doubt if its the big motor. but could be a jet sticking maybe what do you think, but i will ask if they can check for fuel percolating sounds good to me racin thanks again m8

[Mjolinor]

Given that nothing else has changed did they change the petrol?

Shelf life on unleaded is less than 3 months, after that the solubles have gone. Up to 20% of unleaded is butane and it evaporates quickly, that's one of the reasons why fuel systems arre now sealed.

[zaphodbb]

Given that nothing else has changed did they change the petrol?

Shelf life on unleaded is less than 3 months, after that the solubles have gone. Up to 20% of unleaded is butane and it evaporates quickly, that's one of the reasons why fuel systems arre now sealed.

that makes sense too, im not sure how often he runs the bike as he has his own so i will ask him cheers mj

[xant14]

Given that nothing else has changed did they change the petrol?

Shelf life on unleaded is less than 3 months, after that the solubles have gone. Up to 20% of unleaded is butane and it evaporates quickly, that's one of the reasons why fuel systems arre now sealed.

Was gonna say the same, unleaded leaves horrible residues too when left, residues that can foul small pilot jets and the like. A good clean with carb cleaner, and junk the petrol.

[teerak2uk]

couple of things to look at if the carbs are getting to hot then prob fuel evaporation is hapening another thing to look at is valve clearance if the gap is too small or none then when it is hot it will be holding the valves open slightly hence low compression i dont really see mny harleys even though i do like some of them most bikes i come into contact with are jap stuff but i would presume the harley dealer you went to should have checked the two pointers that i mention but dont take it as gospel maybe it was a friday afternoon and everyone likes to go home early if you know what i mean

[zaphodbb]

couple of things to look at if the carbs are getting to hot then prob fuel evaporation is hapening another thing to look at is valve clearance if the gap is too small or none then when it is hot it will be holding the valves open slightly hence low compression i dont really see mny harleys even though i do like some of them most bikes i come into contact with are jap stuff but i would presume the harley dealer you went to should have checked the two pointers that i mention but dont take it as gospel maybe it was a friday afternoon and everyone likes to go home early if you know what i mean

thanks m8 will look into it