rebelproud1986
New Member
So, I FINALLY bought my first Harley, 1200 Sportster. It ain't much, aint a soft tail like I'd like to have but I really love the bike and it's mine, bought and paid for. I bought it used, has like 65k miles on it. Black, I really enjoy it. I've been around bikes most of my life, my uncle used to take me for rides before I started school, had my own soon as I could, wanted a Harley, finally got one. ANYWAY. I've tinkered with it a decent amount, nothing big at all. I went to school for aircraft mechanics, have worked on cars most of my life, but not the best with part names etc. I got the bike, rode it around, every once it a while, it'd cut out, just randomly, never die or anything, just like it hit a dead spot. I dropped it riding on my lunch break in august and it has sat since because I either broke or sprained my ankle, not sure which, didn't go to the dr because I had to work. I have started it and let it run until it reached operating temperature at least every Wednesday until today. Today I decided to take it for a spin, finally got the bars I wanted on it, fits better, much happier. It's cutting out worse now, at least it seemed like it did the first little bit I was riding it, before I parked it. It seemed better, but still cut out, I'm talking +/- 20 mph, first gear. I didn't really ride it long enough to see if it improved because I had to go to work. I need help with this, it DOES sit outside uncovered right now, I know I'm horrible, I just haven't bought a cover yet, it will be in my sister's garage over the winter. Anyone have any idea why it's cutting out, my first thought would be, fuel, spark or air, either tainted/choked off fuel, it does have 87 octane in it right now because that's all the gas station sold when I had to stop last. Thought maybe a damp air filter sucking water in? maybe the ignition coil cutting out? fouled plugs or wires jumping spark? I didn't see evidence of this but doesn't mean it's not happening. Could the carbs just need slightly adjusted or the timing is a hair off making it not hit quite right from time to time. IDK. Please give me suggestions. I'm hoping it's an easy/cheap/quick resolve because I'm just not ready to put it up for the year to tear into it yet. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me out guys. Also I'm having a hard time getting my bars/risers perfectly straight, good enough it didn't effect me riding today, but any advice? thank you.