QuestionHi there, I need some help. I have a 1986 Sportster that sat for 11 years, 883 to 1200 conversion was done - stock heads and everything else other then the pistons I believe.
When I got it, the first thing I had to do was rebuild the top end because it was burning oil. Once I finished that I was able to take it for a ride. Well ever since I have had the bike there has been a idle issue that I am stumped over. My idle keeps going up and down up and down from 700-1200 at a steady pace. I have new gas, plugs, have been through the carb to make sure it is clean but nothing has been able to solve this. When riding it runs fine, but just at idle I get this problem.
I found the voes vacuum line that runs to my carb was pinched, so I fixed that problem and did not notice a difference. But when I started the bike without the line attached, the idle smoothed right out and I was able to get it to idle at 900. But when I went for a ride with it disconnected it ran like crap. I am running the stock ignition module for a 883, and have a stock voes (are a 883 and 1200 voes different?), I also have no idea if the timing is correct, I just put it back to where the screw was from the original builder, but I did turn the sensor plate full left and full right and noticed no change at all in my idle. I also checked for a air leak at the manifold and found none. The manifold's rubber gasket seemed fine and soft, so I lubed it and installed it again nice and tight. I also checked for when the carb mounts for the manifold and that appears fine (I added some gasket in a tube stiff just in case).
If you have any ideas that would be great. I have a 85 Ironhead keihan butterfly carb.
Thanks.
AnswerIt sounds like you have a carb problem. With a bike sitting that long vent and vaccumn holes in the carb get plugged and are a real bear to unplug and something cant be unplugged because they are so small. I would install a new carb, like a S&S and it will more than likly solve your problem
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
