To the HD Forum Community,
Please offer your considered advice:
94 Fatboy - 100 000 Kilometres - original engine - S & S E Carburettor/ EVO Engine - has been left sitting in garage prior to my purchase - I have had for about x 4 months - purchased as part of a deceased estate.
Spark Plugs began fouling pretty quickly - became frustrated - my fault - thought I had a standard carbie - had carburetor overhauled hoping that would be that - has continued to foul/ eventually flooded - had carb re-disassembled/ reassembled - no float issues (I could have sworn...)
Now not flooding but petcock a little wet... Plugs fouled again ...I have been told to take it on a long ride to set in the new plugs and minimise the "choke" as much as I can.
Could this simply be a fuel tank issue? After sitting for a long time?
I am beginning to realise that everything is connected on these classic old bikes.
I am assured the gasket connecting the carburetter has been replaced?
I do wonder about the fuel pump?
I also wonder about the jetting... the bike does not perform well at low k's. What do you think? Does this ring any bells for anyone?
Regards,
Tony

 

One assumes that your plugs are being fouled by fuel and not oil.
Then yes you most likely are jetted too rich. ( assuming the float is set correctly and not leaking or "absorbing" )
Keep in mind that a very dirty or over oiled air filter element will create an over rich mixture ( I`m sure that has been addressed)

There is no fuel pump, gravity feed from tank

What does "petcock a little wet" mean ? it leaks ? Not related to your mixture issues

DISCLAIMER: I have no experience with S&S carbs other than the infamous "Two Throat" 40 years ago. Finicky P.O.S.

 

Hi Eighteight,
my motorcycle mechanic noted that the fuel switch was a little "wet" meaning petrol. He advised me to take the bike with new plugs for a long ride - I live 7 kms from work - I am a newbie Harley owner. He also said attempting to clean fouled plugs was a waste of time as the carbon scores on the plug and that within 5 minutes it would foul again.
So I went for a 45 kilometer run last night at 110 k/hr.
It is an old bike and it has done a lot of kilometers. I just want to treat it with the respect it deserves.
When I first got it I scoured the manual for advise because I found it hard to get to idle. I used the choke for too long - I thought it was the stock carbie.
In the back of my mind I wonder whether going to a Harley Dealership or a carbie specialist to get it tuned might be the best thing.
Regards,
Tony

 

[QUOTE=Tony McMahon;
In the back of my mind I wonder whether going to a Harley Dealership or a carbie specialist to get it tuned might be the best thing.
Regards,
Tony[/QUOTE]

Your earlier post stated that you had the carb serviced
anybody ELSE local who might sort out the issue?

 

I'll give the Dealerships a ring - I've heard on youtube that some dealerships do not repair old harleys - but I won't know until I try - but first I'll just see how it goes after the long ride.
Thank you eighteight for the advice & support.
Regards,
Tony

 

You may also want to ask if there are any Harley specific independent shops in the area.Most of them would be more than willing to help.Good luck, and once it's sorted ,you'll enjoy it..

 

I’ll suggest that the odds of solving this issue by a long ride are slim
Hope I’m wrong
have you ruled out the air filter question?
take the element off and see if it will idle
long shot but sometimes simple is overlooked


please indicate brand and number of current spark plugs

does it foul only one cylinder or both?

tnx

edit: better yet remove plugs and post clear pix of the business end