2006 1200 Custom backfiring

[al_huryn]

Hi all, I bought my bike from a dealership 3 weeks ago this saturday and need to know if I should take it back. It's a 1200 screaming eagle intake,V&H Ground Pounders I think they're called and I was told by the salesman it was rejetted along with the other 2 mods. I've had it out about 7-8 times now and it is backfiring but not like a gun going off, It's more like I get a pfft noise and the throttle doesn't catch. It's will do it while idling, and going through the gears, while in traffic today it kinda lugged in first gear while I was taking off from a stop made this pfft pfft pfft noise and stalled. It stared back up but it still does it. I'm tempted to take it back and tell them to make it right. I thought maybe since this was my first Harley it might be something particular to the bike but I've ridden enough bikes to know this isn't right. The bike was a trade in and had 2800 miles when I got it, I've put on just a couple hundred more on it. I'm thinking maybe they didn't go over it good enough before they let it out the door, but I paid for it and I want it right. Any ideas before I take it back or at least call them and ask what's up? Wrong jet size, choke not opening all the way when warm, i dunno any ideas would be great. Thanks...Al

[al_huryn]

Also the backfire sounds like it's coming from the carb and occasionally through the pipes and it doesn't have any strong gas smell or anything...Thanks again

[jakace]

1 dual fire ignition 2 intake manifold leak 3 running lean. Or a combo.

[murphdog]

This is quite common and is usually fixed by replacing the stock 42 slow jet with a 45 and/or adjusting the idle mixture screw.

[JohnK/Pa]

Like Murph said it's probibly just running a little lean. You can find out by just adding a little fuel by using the enrichiner (choke), just pull it out a little and see if that helps. The weather here in the Philly area is still a little cold for these things to run at their best, when I had my carbed Sporty I went up to a 48 jet in the winter so I didn't get the carb cough and stall. I usually ran a 45 jet in the summer and had the screw turned out about 2.5 turns. Hope this helps.

[SlyFerret]

My 883 does it a little bit when I first start it up when it's not warmed up yet.

Once your bike warms up, does the problem go away?

-SF

[al_huryn]

No problem is all the time warm or cold and now today on my way home from work it backfired really badly a few times and it stalled and won't start, had to have it towed. Called the dealer and they couldn't send anyone because they closed at 6 and it was about 5:15, way to back your vehicles. So I payed 100 bucks to have it towed mind you after I pushed it from between exits on I-95 during rushour. They are going to come and pick it up tomorrow or saturday I guess, haven't even made the 1st payment yet. The way it acted it seems like something electrical to me but I wouldn't know where to start really, dealer needs to get it straightened out.

[2000bandit]

I am new to the bike thing and have a question. I have a 04 custom bike with a 124 s&s. I just out the tank back on after having it painted this winter. Last year it ran perfect. I put the fuel line back on and opened the pep cock and fuel it coming out of I think a vacuum line on the side of the carb. When I try to start it back fire real loud. The plugs seem dry. Should I just keep cracking the throttle and checking the plugs to see if fuel is there? What is causing the fuel leak? Air in the lines?

[super_ziggy]

I had almost the same issue with my 06 1200. It was popping all the time and once in a while it would shoot flames out the pipes on a back fire. Turns out it was just my fuel mixture. It also fouled my plugs out so that may be why it is not starting.

[newbieHD]

I have an 04 1200C and it ran bad as far as popping/backfire when I ran Wal-Mart premium crap in it. I switched to Conoco premium and all my problems disappeared in less than a half tank. It even idles different now. Now that's all I use if I can get it.

[al_huryn]

I only put gas in it once since I got it, still pretty full, I used exxon premium, pretty sure it isn't the gas, not the way this all went down. They came and got the bike tonight so hopefully they'll have something for me tomorrow, sucks though because I'm going to be out of town for the day so if there's any issues I won't be able to go to the shop until monday. Wish me luck, I'll post again when I know more.

[al_huryn]

They just got to the bike today, have had it since Friday.....Not to pleased with them at this point.

[Skitzer]

What's the verdict? They find out what was wrong yet?
Just curious

[al_huryn]

Hey got it back last night, they claim it was the battery, said that they didn't charge the battery before they delivered the bike to me. I don't get it I had it for almost 3 weeks before it died, you would think the charging system would have charged it up. It's putting out 14.1 volts, while it was dead it had lights, turn signals all that good stuff. It's running like it was before it died, stillhas the pfft pfft noise coming thru the carb or pipes was talking to a guy last night says I need the next size up jet, the dealership said all sporsters do it, that sounds pretty hokey to me...

[KrustyTC]

Someone really needs to explain to these dealers that the "all FILL IN THE BLANK do it" excuse is BULLSHIT!

All Harleys don't vibrate! All Sportsters don't run like crap! Enough already, just FIX THE FRIGGING PROBLEM AND STOP MAKING EXCUSES because you are lazy!

Sorry, just had to get that out of my system. If I was in the same situation I would bring it right back to the dealer and refuse to take the bike back until it is right. It's either that or spend the money to get the bike fixed at a quality independent shop. I know it's not the easiest or cheapest thing to do but sometimes it's better just to pay to have it done right than bang your head against the wall at the dealer.

Let us know how this all plays out,
KrustyTC