Hi all,
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this problem:

I have a 2000 883 Custom that has been nothing but reliable since day one. Only minor problems, and the bike has been maintained religiously. Only modifications are Screamin' Eagle pipes and high flow air filter, no rejetting. I bought it new, and have owned it for 13 years. It has about 46,000 miles.

Recently after riding for about 15 minutes, the engine just quits, similar to running out of gas. I had just filled up, so there was plenty of fuel. The bike had plenty of cranking power as I attempted to restart it, but no luck. I let it sit for about 3 or 4 minutes, then it started right up. I continued to ride, and the bike performed as always, with no hesitation or problems, and lots of power. After about another half hour, it died again. Same story, couldn't restart, let it sit, then it fired up after a couple of minutes. Doesn't seem to be electrical, as I always had lights on, and power to the starter.

I'm thinking this is some kind of fuel problem? If it makes any difference, the gas station where I filled up had just reopened after being given a renovation. I'm pretty sure that had all new tanks put in. I've always used major brand name gas, and always premium. Could this be a tank of bad gas, maybe from this station that just had the make over?

I hate the idea of riding a bike that is unpredictable like that, especially since I do a fair amount of freeway riding and crossing bridges where you wouldn't want to have the bike die!

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

I would start at the fuel filter. Symptoms are those of a clogged filter.

 

Thanks!

 

sounds like you have a crank position sensor going out my 99 king was doing the same would shut down like hit the kill switch off let it sit a few minutes runs fine then do it again pull a plug after it dies check to see if theres spark if not youll no its not fuel sounds like sensor to me good luck with the scoot.

 

Hard to understand at what time the engine dies. Like 30 mph or when you roll up to stop and you let it idle back. If it dies when it drops back to idle, I would think last fuel you got had some water in it. Mine did exactly that. I could keep it running as long as I held the throttle open when I let it idle back. I assume it's carb. Doubt it's the fuel filter. If it was filter, your problem would be top end. (unlike my FI which shows up first as idle issues) It still could be electrical like hot coil or you ignition module. Think simple first. Ethanol gas will help absorb the moisture or bottled gas dry (alcohol) but if you go bottled, be sure to put correct amount and run it down and refill with gas. 10% will not hurt. When I had the problem, I checked for over a week and then I noticed them digging up the gas station tanks. My problem went away completely on about the third fill up with 10% Ethanol gas (all we have around here on the coast).