XL1200C Lumpy at low speeds?

[Ben]

Hi all,

Wanted to gauge opinion as my Harley is the only one I've ever ridden.

In between 20 (usually in 2nd gear) and 30mph (3rd) - especially when coasting and keeping a constant speed (say, when stuck behind a Sunday driver ) - the bike feels pretty lumpy, almost as if it could stall, but doesn't. It's normally only at these speeds or below - above 30mph is usually fine, as is accelerating.

Now, I know from years of reading up on Harleys before buying mine that the V-Twin is characteristically 'lumpy', and somewhat "hard work" around town (esp. compared to my old Bandit, but hey! that's what we all love about them!!!), so is this what others experience? Almost a 'lurching' or 'jerking' back and forth. It's nothing I can't deal with if it's normal, but just want to be sure I'm not missing anything.

The manual suggests a loose primary chain could cause this, but I've checked and re-checked and it always falls within the guidelines (9.5-12.7mm when cold, 6.3-9.5mm when hot - I've checked both). Am I just picking up on the V-Twin characteristics and, as a stealer would say, "they all do that mister"?

Cheers.

[Urrell]

You may improve things if you have the mixture set up on a dyno with sniffer.
But mine is the same as yours and you do get used to it. Do not drop below 2000 rpm in any gear. But as you said 20 in 2nd and 30 in 3rd is just that. I can still feel it at 60 to 65 mph in 5th but then a sniff of throttle gets the grin factor going.

[Sportsterboy1974]

Yep..mines pretty much the same although things do get a bit better as the bikes warms up..my old 883 was a lot smoother but then it wasn't as much fun when the throttle was opened up..as already said keeping the revs up and not lugging the engine will help

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Urrell

....but then a sniff of throttle gets the grin factor going.

Lol!!! Yep, this is true.

Thank you both. Most reassuring. Attempting to keep a little higher revs it is then. Thinking about it last night after my OP, I think it diminishes a bit as she warms up as well, as Sportsterboy pointed out.