Engine or electrical - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

mickey7328 · 08-27-2009, 03:52 PM

Riding my 73 Sportster when it started to break up and stall.Pulled it over and got it started and it would only idle but when I would give it throttle it would stall.I 've tried 2 different rebuilt carbs on it ,new gas, fuel line and filter with new petcock, 2 new sets of points and condensor,checked timing and timing fly weights springs, change out the coil, new plugs and it still does the same thing.So now I'm checking all the wiring. Could it be a broken valve spring ??

**Dave63** · 08-27-2009, 03:55 PM

Bad condensor, or coil. Also, make sure with your points, you;re not running supression wires, rather copper core.

You also want to make sure you have the correct ohm coil on the bike.

Are you SURE the engine is getting fuel?? Even if you had two carbs on, if you can spray starting fluid into the engine, and it'll accelerate, then the carb float level is too low, or it's running out of fuel for some reason.....

Are you in Northampton, PA as in the Roxy Theater, Northampton ???

mickey7328 · 08-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Thanks Dave, I'll try a brand new coil.

**Dave63** · 08-27-2009, 04:01 PM

There's a coil test procedure in the electrical section, in the "sticky" up top....

mickey7328 · 08-28-2009, 05:21 AM

I ;m 2 miles away from The Roxy. Took my time rebuilding carbs made sure the float was 3/16 ths. I will try starting fluid see if that could be the problem and I will surely test the coil.Thanks for that procedure Dave.

SCHMIDTYS · 08-28-2009, 07:09 AM

A 37 year old Sportster ... valve guides . Do a compression test when the the symptom is occuring , if low or no compression in one or both cylinders then it's a good bet the valve guides have carbon buildup and are pinching the valve stems and holding the valves open .

mickey7328 · 08-28-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHMIDTYS

A 37 year old Sportster ... valve guides . Do a compression test when the the symptom is occuring , if low or no compression in one or both cylinders then it's a good bet the valve guides have carbon buildup and are pinching the valve stems and holding the valves open .

I hope it's not that if so then it's a winter project.I'll be working on it this weekend and i will let you guys know what I find.Hopefully it is something simple, but sofar I found nothing yet that's only leading deeper and deeper into the soul of the bike.

"Just Ride It Out"