ignition or carb problem? Help, please : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Rigid Shoveller · 04-30-2009, 01:25 AM

I've been riding for years and mainly due to this forum, although I have never posted a problem, I've had plenty. My bike in question is a 1975 XLCH Ironhead. Everything is stock other than carb (S&S B) on engine. Put many miles on it over the last 5 years then ratchet gear (bushing)went south, fixed that. No electric start can be problematic when this happens. Now my battery (3rd) won't hold a charge. Discovered bare A & F generator wires under engine & frame. Regulator started smoking, white goin' up not including blood-pressure. Now I can't go more than around the house without the plugs fouling, black-sooty. Battery charges back to 12.40 or so, is the regulator fried now or possibly the generator? Points ignition. I'll take any helpful advice as I'm at wit's with it at the moment.

Scooter · 05-01-2009, 08:36 AM

Sounds like you have multiple problems, Bro.
Does it run poorly, besides the plugs fouling? Sooty (not oily?) indicates either very rich mixture or very poor spark. If, once it's running, you can disconnect the battery and it keeps running (a little above idle), then the generator's OK. I'd be suspect of the regulator, since it burned, but if the battery will still hold a charge, worst case for the regulator is over charging and frying the battery.

Rigid Shoveller · 05-01-2009, 11:38 AM

I'll try disconnecting battery while its idling & see what happens. The plugs don't seem wet & black, just dry & black. Sometimes one or the other might just be soaked with fuel & clean of soot as the no spark at all. Thanks, let ya know what happens later.

Rigid Shoveller · 05-02-2009, 06:52 PM

Diconnected battery with bike idling & it died instantly, so faulty generator or does it make sense it would quit due to no power from battery to the switch? Also I accidentally got against the lower set of points in the regulator (had cover off) going to the terminal marked "Batt." and they stuck together and started melting the new wires I just installed going to the generator. Those points shouldn't stick like that and smoke start melting wires go to the genny. I've triple-checked connections just to make I haven't hooked something wrong. Thinking maybe just buy a new regulator and see what happens.

Scooter · 05-04-2009, 09:14 AM

New regulator for sure.
Are you certain that you're wired correctly?

Rigid Shoveller · 05-04-2009, 10:37 AM

Yea, I've double & triple checked my wire connections according to the manuel and they are correct. I put the old regulator that came on the bike years ago back on. No wires burning now and battery seems to be holding charge now although the spark at the plugs seems to be a little weak. I'm gonna double check my plugs & points gaps to make sure they're right & double check battery. Thanks for the reply, I will put a new regulator on for sure. Coil is only 4 years old now, no visible fractures or cracks. Might replace the plug wires while at it.