Cutting Out

[Foby]

I know this subject has been covered by several people but I was nearly wiped out today at the top of the hill turning into Black Bear's road when the bike cut out (at no speed so no damage) but I fell into the path of a car (that stopped!!!!!)
I have a 1998 first of the twin cams Road King with an S and S carb pre fitted. Would this happen with a mikuni carb (I have been told not) as the bike was hot the petrol may have evaporated when I shut off and when I then went to cross the road the resulting lack of fuel cut the bike out? This is happening more and more frequently and at the moment we dont have a replacement Rep for the Anglia Region so your thoughts would be most welcome.

[Limey_Dave]

Can't see petrol evaporating from an engine that's ticking over.
I'd look for something electrical,you haven't got a tilt angle sensor that's falling apart have you?

[robbiemac]

Shit Colin, that must have been a pant filling moment. Real glad you are ok.

Don't really know what happened but have you got your tickover set low at all?
The reason i ask is this. I run a mikuni 40 on my glide (EVO) and i was fiddling a while ago and the tickover was a bit low, not a problem except when waiting to pull away from lights etc then sometimes it would stall. Needless to say, i upped the tickover speed and it ain't happened since. My 2p's worth.
Just glad you are ok.

[the_monster]

the choice of carb will not make any difference - contrary to what some people mikunis do not have special magical powers that cure all evils !! the S&S is the simplest of all the carbs out there, the float bowl holds a cup full of fuel so the only way it would evaporate that quickly would be in a bloody big fire !!! i run a S&S on my shovel and the carb has never been the problem, but a lot of other things have !



check the run of your throttle cable(s) first and the condition of them, check the carb is mounted securely, tickover should be between 800 - 1000 rpm, anything lower regardless of carb will bugger your main bearings in the long term, check the accelerator pump is working correctly (take the air filter cover on and twist back the throttle and watch about 20 quids of gas squirt down the throat, is it set too lean ? is the idle curcuit blocked, is there much n the float bowl / fuel tank ? check you ignition system connections - when did you last replace the plugs / leads etc? how old is your battery ? if you've got a crank sensor - is it clean / tight etc ? have you adjustable pushrods or perfect fits?

is this only happening at certain times / events ? eg turning left / right,? bike runs better with some choke ? etc? have you got a short in the electrics? is the earth lead ok - it is starting to go that'll do it !

[Foby]

Thanks for kind words - Not much to check then eh good people
I sometimes wish I was a mechanic instead of a machinist
It dont do it very often thats the problem - it was serviced by a top Harley man so dont think anything missed. But it is obviuously dangerous

[Phil]

99`s have two issues that cause cutting out.
The Bank Angle Sensor as someone mentioned.
Much more common is the Main Circuit Breaker, under the seat in front of the battery. A simple & cheap part to replace.

[Limey_Dave]

This refers to later EFI models but if you've got the circuit breaker it might save you some time.


http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...lt-sensor.html

[BaZa ®]

Colin without trying to sound like teaching you to suck eggs....

I always play with the clutch lever on tight/slow maneuvers all because of the times H-D's can stall at tick over revs like pulling away from lights.

Does the bike ever cut out when you are riding at normal speed revs? If so you have more of a problem like the ones posted above.

If the bike cuts out at slow speed as in your case and no clutch pulled your back wheel is locked and your off.

Glad the cager was alert and your ok mate.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

This refers to later EFI models but if you've got the circuit breaker it might save you some time.


http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...lt-sensor.html

Thats the one. The 03`s in particular had an issue. The 99`s have the same unit.
As they are a simple mechanical breaker they are prone to wear & corrosion.
I am going on the presumption that he has no trouble codes.

[Foby]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

This refers to later EFI models but if you've got the circuit breaker it might save you some time.


http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...lt-sensor.html

My bike is a S and S carbed first of twin cam 1998 model Road King and the recall on the breakers is for 2001 - 2003 so would that be likely Dave?