Recently purchased an '06 standard Softail(carbureted). I've been warming it up for about 5 minutes in colder (40-50 F), but it still rides choppy (slightly bucks in higher gears) and backfires. I warm it up by starting on full choke and then decreasing it to 75%-50% and so on. It also has a tendency to stall for the first few minutes when I stop and put it in neutral. I hada new '07 Sportster 1200 before this and did not experience the same problems. Is this normal? Any suggestions?

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No, not normal. Sounds like you might need to rejet.

 

what is the air temp and what fuel are you using?

 

Hard to believe there would be an issue with the jets. It only has about 5500 miles. I bought it with 4400. I use premium fuel. The coldest I've gone out has been in the 40's, but it's been happening in the '50's, as well.

 

There was an internal recall from Harley concerning this problem.
What HD will do is replace your 8 degree injectors with 25 degree SE injectors to cure this problem.
Talk to your dealer about cold sputtering issues, and tell them that you know about the 25 degree injector fix.
This will TOTALLY cure the problem....

Just so you know, HD made the change over to the 25 degree on every new bike mid way through the 06' model year..
My bike had the old injectors, and the new 25 degree set cures all of my sputtering and exhaust popping problems instantly.

 

george I thought thesame thing about theinjectors, had the same problems on mine new injectors cured it.
Mikesaid he has a carbed 06, therefore, no injectors to replace.

Mike try a lower octane fuel when it is colder outside. I would also think it is the jets has the A/C or pipes been changed? I would ask Shovelhead Bob.

 

Mike,

Try a 1 size larger slow jet, which will probably be a 45 or 47. Replace the standard needle with a needle for a 1988 1200 Sportster, and cut 2 coils off of the slide return spring. You will then need to remove the plug that covers the idle screw, and set the idle screw 2 to 2 1/2 turns out from the bottom.

This should get you rich enough that you are not stumbling when the bike is good and warmed up. If you are still having problems you might have a leak in the intake system that is causing you to go lean.

Bill