Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

idle jet question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-18-2011, 10:16 AM
s.ga.rider's Avatar
s.ga.rider
s.ga.rider is offline
Tourer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default idle jet question

I bought my 05 heritage used so I dont know whats been done to the carb. It had slipons and a high flow airfilter installed. I replaced the slip ons with v&h big shot longs. The plugs are white so its a little lean (runs perfect)but when I start it in the mornings I warm it up for about 5 minutes but it still idles low until I ride it about 5 more miles. Then its up to normal idle speed. I can shut the bike off for 10 minutes and its idling low again till I ride a few more miles. It will do this all day. Is that normal for harley cards or do I need some adjusting. The air/mixture screw is 2 turns out also. I have the idle speed a little high now because if not it was shutting off without holding the throttle cracked or using the enricher while hot till I rode it like I stated above.
 
  #2  
Old 09-18-2011, 10:33 AM
TheTroupe's Avatar
TheTroupe
TheTroupe is offline
Road Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

What's the outside air temp?

Does this happen when the temp is 75 or above?

When was the last time the carb was cleaned?

Are you using the choke full out to start then half way full in like the manual says?

Is the idle jet loose?
 
  #3  
Old 09-18-2011, 11:13 AM
the blob's Avatar
the blob
the blob is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Received 45 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

yes it will idle slow untill its warmed back up.

no you shouldent have to ride with the choke out, if you do then its lean.

with your setup id try backing out the mix.screw a turn, if things dont improve go up one size in the slow jet then reset the idle, and mixture.
 
  #4  
Old 09-18-2011, 07:56 PM
s.ga.rider's Avatar
s.ga.rider
s.ga.rider is offline
Tourer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Its done it in any temp. Its been in the 100s and lately its been in the 60s for the mornings. When I got it I ran a bottle of seafoam through it but thats all thats been done to it. I let it run about 20 seconds with the enricher all the way out then warm it up for 4-5 minutes with it about half way out.

Blob, I will back the screw out some more and see if that helps.
 
  #5  
Old 09-18-2011, 09:54 PM
Mikey 1450's Avatar
Mikey 1450
Mikey 1450 is offline
Road Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Acworth
Posts: 1,159
Received 32 Likes on 26 Posts
Default

Slower idle is normal after cool down, they cool down fairly fast especially in cool weather. Stock pilot jet is #45. An aftermarket #46 works the best for me but your air filter could make a difference. Harleys next step is as #48. Adjust the airscrew to the fastest idle when the engine is hot, but maintain a slow idle speed when adjusting for best results. If its not spitting back thru the carb after its warmed up, its probably fine. Ride it, get a good feel about it before you start making changes. It will let you know.
 

Last edited by Mikey 1450; 09-18-2011 at 09:59 PM.
  #6  
Old 09-19-2011, 06:09 AM
roadkingharry's Avatar
roadkingharry
roadkingharry is offline
Road Captain
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Punta Gorda, Florida
Posts: 705
Received 50 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

As the guys have said, try turning the a/f mix screw out first. I would go a quarter turn at a time and ride it to see how it goes. Once you go to 3 turns out you may have to go to a larger pilot jet. Like Mikey said, 45 is stock, then 46 and 48. I don't think the dealer carries the 46 but you can get it here.
 
  #7  
Old 09-19-2011, 10:24 AM
pnw_hd_rider's Avatar
pnw_hd_rider
pnw_hd_rider is offline
Cruiser
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Since you don't know, I would definitely remove the float bowl and see what jets are in there (and also check to see if the pilot jet is clogged). It's not difficult and only takes a few minutes. I think 190 main and 48 pilot are the norm for high flow intake and exhaust.

I had the same issues you're describing, plus it would cough and stumble once in a while accelerating from a stop (plus it would kick back on me sometimes when starting it back up after gassing up). I pulled the float bowl to see if it was jetted too lean. I found that it did have a 190 main and a 48 pilot, BUT the pilot jet was about 70% blocked/clogged. After I cleaned it and put it back together, solved the issues plus it made a world of difference in bottom end torque.

Pilot jets have really small holes, and it's not uncommon for them to get partially blocked/clogged. Often times, people will rebuild the carburetor (cleaning the pilot jet in the process), when all that really needed done to solve the problem was clean/clear the pilot jet.
 

Last edited by pnw_hd_rider; 09-19-2011 at 10:27 AM.
  #8  
Old 09-19-2011, 01:00 PM
s.ga.rider's Avatar
s.ga.rider
s.ga.rider is offline
Tourer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I adjusted the screw another 1/4 turn and it did better but when I shut it off it kept idling for a second before shutting off. I turned it a 1/8 back in and will see how that does.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trev1980HD
Shovelhead
7
09-17-2012 09:56 PM
MrCookie
Sportster Models
18
02-08-2012 10:39 PM
RLJ676
Carburetor Related
18
05-04-2011 09:08 PM
RidemyEVO
EVO
2
07-31-2010 09:06 AM
redrum
Sportster Models
2
05-31-2008 12:19 AM



Quick Reply: idle jet question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:43 AM.