I am a really big on this FI issue and cab give one example of a safety issue, the carbed bikes always have to be adjusted with yuor choke and always remember to turn the gas shut-off on. My wifes 06 Sportster was carbed and on one particular ride we had made a pit stop and once we had ate we were on the road again, well everything went well up until we got down the road a little and my wifes bike had just cut-out and died, now this happened in an extremely bad spot, there was a tight right turn and halfway thru this turn became a hill, well I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been due to soaking in the scenery, but I stopped behind her at a rapid pace and somewhat more towards the inside of the lane (2 way road 50 mph), well this car behind me was not paying attention as well and he barely missed hitting me by inches. After this incident I told my wife we need to look at the 08 models and switch over to FI. Thats what we have done and he 07 Sportster with the Stage 1 kit runs so much better and sounds better too. Now I now that you could say that this is operator fault but, for some reason turning the gas back on was just something she forgot often, so we traded in and this threat is now gone. I'm on my 3rd FI bike and would never go back to carbs.

 

well i never had a fuel injected bike but im sure they are a hell of a lot better than carburated,im looking to either rebuild or replace the carb on my shovel head

 

This incident may have had zero to do with the fact the bike was carbed or injected as it could have happened in either case. As to shutting the fuel off, why? I have never shut the petcock off in almost 5 years of owning my carbed Sportster. It's vacuum operated and won't open unless the engine is running anyway. The reason for using the fuel petcock and specifically, turning it to the "off" position in a manual petcock or not leaving it in the "prime" position if it is a vacuum operated petcock is to prevent gas from running down the carb throat, into the intake manifold, down the intake, past the intake valve and into the combustion chamber.

If the combustion chamber is full of gas and you attempt to start the engine, you will subject your engine to what is known as hydraulic lock (liquids cannot be compressed) and you might bend a connecting rod. This is a rare, but documented occurrence. In order for it to happen, you have to have a bad float bowl valve or valve seat in the carb that allows the fuel to flow in the first place. Additionally, the bike has to be sitting in a position that the fuel doesn't flow out the overflow and make a big puddle on the floor, which in and of itself is not the safest of situations, and one intake valve needs to be partially open. In the case of a maually operated petcock, which Harley doesn't use at present, it would be wise to move the lever to off when not in use.

 

Why not? Lots of good used bikes out there with Carb's.

 

Yeah there are and there are people buying them too.

 

Which you can do for a reasonable price and without too much effort. Bet it ain't so cheap or easy when the EFI decides to take a dump on ya. Just diagnosing the problem probably cost's more than a complete carb rebuild.

 

ROTFLMAO, You said it, that carb kit is is dirt cheap....

 

In all my years never once been stranded because of carb issues.It's all about maintainance.Always shut the fuel off,never an issue with that,only when I used to drink and drive,but then all that was needed just rech down and turn it on or to reserve.A carbed bike can always be repaired on the road.As far as adjustments once dailed in just enjoy the ride.FI goes south your looking for a tow.Of course now that we all carry cellphones breakdowns are not a big deal.Maybe I will give FI another look!

 

Don't forget to buy a good lap top so you can carry it with you as a necessary tool for that break down.

 

ohh boy here we go again...