Suddenly it seems like my bike is running rich. Yesterday after popping into the convenience store, I try to start my bike and it's a no go. It took a good 6-7 sec of holding down the ignition button to get the bike to start and the air just reeked of gas when it did. Since then the smell of gas has been more prominent when I ride. There aren't any leaks anywhere, just a smell like the bike is running rich.

Odd thing is that I recently installed slip ons and a screamin eagle stage 1 intake without any mods to the carb or idle screw.

Am I crazy or is it even possible for a bike to change characteristics like this?

 

I'd guess the carb probably needs to be pulled and gone through.

More than likely you'll also need a bigger main jet with the high flow exhaust and air cleaner, as this should make it run leaner.

But if it is really running rich, which it should not be since your recent mods, it will probably be belching black smoke. So if it is, I'd be pulling the carb for a rebuild and go from there.

 

is it carbed or fi? fuel injectors maybe leaking down, carbed bad float?

 

Appears to be a 2005 XLH.

 

Learn to read the whole post bob haha

 

Crank position sensor

 

It is possible that your petcock is leaking through the diaphram and sucking gas in through the vacuum line. To check, pull the vacuum line from the back of the petcock and check to see if there is fuel in it.

 

+1 another strong contender!

Another way to check this is to pull the vacuum line (as mentioned above,) plug it at both ends, and turn the petcock to reserve. This will bypass the vacuum line entirely, and if the bike runs normally then it is time to buy a new petcock!

 

I'm shocked. This thread has mentioned petcocks leaking and diaphrams sucking and not one of you slackers have jumped on the fourth grade bandwagon. :+)