Motorcycle Repair: sporster losing all power, sportster custom 1200, modual

Question
My Brother has a 2001 sportster custom 1200. Well about a month ago it started cutting out and backfiring then it would completely quit running altogether. It wasn't getting any fire to the spark plugs at all. But then if it sat overnight, the next day it would start right up. He thought it was the coil so he a bought a new one and he still has the problem. Well now if we go out riding, the bike will run okay for about 30 miles then it starts doing the same thing. The bike is stock except for some louder pipes. It has a carburetor for fuel.   Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
You sound like you have an ignition problem. Its either the pickup or the ignition itself. The problem is you are not going to have the special tools to do the testing. Since it stops when it gets hot i would be inclined to say its the ignition modual which is located inside the cam cover, but the best way to tell is to take the bike to a shop and have it tested.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike