Motorcycle Repair: Shutting down around 50mph, speedometer needle, petcock

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mike,
I have a 2000 Fatboy 1450cc -6500miles. most times i reach around 50mph the engine shuts down.it sounds like the bike is not getting enough fuel or maybe too much ? its stuttering for a few seconds and shuts down. the speedometer needle slowly goes down to 0mph.i have to pull over and the bike starts up right away again. could it be a short, electrical or fuel related problem ? the bike already has been fully serviced by Harley(oil,spark plugs...but not for this issue yet).  the strange thing is that sometimes i can push it to 70 + mph with no problem  for a while but there is always the concern that it might stop.
thank you
Timo

ANSWER: Is the bike fuel injected? When you say the speedo goes to zero, is it like the power is shut off?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
The bike has a choke. Yes the power is shut off and the speeedo goes down to zero. i have to pull over > pull out the choke and it fires up right away.
Thanks,
Timo

Answer
Since your bike has a choke, then its carberated. Since you are loosing power, like the key was shut off, then you have a short. you would need to follow the wiring from the battery to the ignition switch to the ignition. You probably have a loose connection. If the bike shuts down, like your running out of fuel, then you need to check the petcock to see if it plugged with dirt as well as check the vaccumn line going to the petcock to make sure it is not loose or have a hole in it
Good luck and happy riding
Mike