Newbie question here, so be warned. I have an '88 softail that is taking forever to warm up on the initial start. If it doesn't warm up for a long time, it will sputter & backfire going down the road. Is this normal with the older models? We have changed the fluids & plugs, but still no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help

 

Could be many things.

1st thing that comes to mind is the same problem with the wifes sporster. It is jetted a little on the lean side from the factroy and takes forever to warm up. Spits farts and stumbles. rejeted and just fine now.

Being that it is an older bike it could be an intake leak. How does it idle when warm?

Good Luck.

 

It idles fine when warm. I figure it is just from being an older bike. Previous owner had not ridden it in 8 months when we bought it. It only had 23,000 miles on it.

 

Kelle,

I would have to go with my first assumption that it is a jetting problem.

Stupid question or thought, I have found somebikes wherethe choke cable is broke and not working. May want to check that out. There is no reason that the bike should not warm up and be ready to ride in just a few minutes.

 

I'd say the bike is running lean and being starved for fuel when cold. I don't know about 1988 carbs, but you'll either need to give it more fuel at the adjustment screw or maybe try to upsize the slow jet.

 

How long are you letting it warm up?

Old carb bikes take time to warm up. All mine takes up to 5 minutes when warm out, longer when cold. If it's been sitting over winter or for awhile it is a cold blooded b1tch.

Tell us a little more what it is doing. The sputtering, backfiring, does it do it after it warms up? Does it have a CV carb, if not that would be the first thing I did, replace it with an HD CV or Mikuni 42mm CV. Both good carbs and you will love it over the early evo carbs.

Oh yeah, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

 

might be time to clean out your carb, or upgrade. as the others already said, check the jets too, may be lean

 

It has a S & S carb on it. It is taking at least 5 to 10 min to warm up with adjustment of the choke and still backfires. I am clueless on mechanical issues and my husband isn't much better, he just gets on his Ultra Classic and starts it without any problems. I appreciate all the info, we have a local bike shop here (Howlin cycles) and I guess I will have to have those guys take a look. Its just hard to take it in when I just now started riding out of the parking lots and onto the open rode. It is so addicting! Thanks again!!

 

Evos tend to be cold blooded by nature in my experience.

 

Dump the S&S and get a Mikuni 42, much easier to adjust. $200-250 on ebay.