Just curious.. I have a 1989 Hugger 883. Bone stock. Everybody and I mean EVERYBODY tells me that my warm up issues are inherent to the cold blooded nature of these old EVO's. It takes a good 10 minutes for my bike to warm up so that its not coughing, spitting and farting out of the carb. It doesn't even sound good until its warmed up. I am told BY EVERYBODY that this is totally normal.
My question is.. how the heck did the Harley dealerships sell these bikes new?
Think about it... a buyer comes into the dealership... checks out a new 1989 883 or 1200 Sportster. Finds the one they want to buy and wants to start it up and take it for a ride or at least listen to it.
How did the dealer do it??? When that brand spanking new Sportster was coughing, farting and spitting out of the carb for at least 10 minutes..... what was the salesperson saying? What was the buyer thinking???
I can't figure this one out.

 

I guess 4 years makes a huge difference. Mine fires right up, and by the time I get earplugs, helmet and gloves on I can cut the choke to 1/3 and go. A few more minutes and the choke is all the way in and I'm going fine.

Maybe try to clean out the carb?

 

i guess in 89 probly all harleys were like that n people buying them probly new that just like old carberated anything that old takes time to warm up. remember in the 80 s as a little kid my dad putting a stick on the gas peddle of the car to warm it up an keep it running when it got colder out.

 

My 89 xl 1200 fires right up I run it for about 1 min and shes ready to ride. The bikes stock other then drag pipes and s/s air cleaner and the right jeting to match the pipes. I ride the bike at least 4 to 5 times a week even in the winter I ride once a week

 

Harley Davidson could put their logo on a piece of petrified dog poop and it'd sell.
Ducati's sold bikes with similar problems, also with eager customers stepping up to the plate. Certain brands get away with minor/major problems because their "faithful" customer base calls it "Character". When a Harley leaks oil, it's owner(s) laughingly say it's "marking it's spot". If a Japanese bike leaks oil, it's owner gets on the nearest internet forum and blasts the manufacturer for "knowingly' making a bike with such a severe problem.

 

The bike is 20 years old maybe its time for a carb to be rebuilt? I no many people with harley with stock cv carbs and never hear them bitch

 

I'm gonna go with a thorough carb rebuild. My '87 is ready to go in 2 mins normally. Carbs are carbs man, the better you have them tuned, the better they're going to run. I would say that if it's taking that long to warm up, your bike is running a little too rich. I would check your spark plug gapping too. Try opening your choke just far enough to keep the bike running, and prime the carb before you try to start it. Just wrap the throttle once or twice and that should help, especially when it's cold out.

 

Sorry, it ain't normal. My Ironhead starts up and runs smoothly from the get go on a cold engine. An EVO should do the same.

 

Sorry but its not normal.

 

My XLH1100 fires right our and sounds like a monster. I never have warming up issues, unless she sits for like a week. (Effin rain....)