[wvak47]

Hey folks, new here and got questions like a lot of other FNGs.

I just purchased a used 2005 XL883C. To my knowledge it has a factory carb (ie no monkeying with jets). It has Vance & Hines Straight Shots HS or Straight Shots HS Slip-ons, not real sure which. Sux being new to something. Anyway, I know for a fact that the Fuel Air mixture has been messed with. Through the fact that the cover plug was removed exposing the screw. I printed out the tech tip on adjusting the CV Carb and followed the instruction to the best of my ability. Nothing makes a difference on this thing.

Condition is this. Bike fires up and runs before it roles over the second time (while warm of course, but choked and she does the same cold). Couldn't ask it to be better. However, when you try to open the throttle up on her she coughs and gags something terrible. Through A LOT of time with this thing I have found a few things. First if she gets to about 1500 to 2000rpms she runs like a top. Takes fuel and screams for more no problem. If you keep the idle up with just the weight of your hand on the throttle no issues at all. However, if it drops below those rpm ranges it is back to coughing and gagging. I am possitive it was running too rich (black plugs, backfiring through carb and out exhaust).

More history. This bike was a repo and as such set un-loved and un-started for a while (not sure how long). When I got her, she had a terrible leak from the carb. Replace the accelerator diaphram (came out missing pieces, dried out and flaking off) and bowl gasket (appeared to be in good shape but what the heck for $5). I now have no more leaks.

This evening I worked with her until I was ready to kick her over via the seat. Figured it HIGH time to find folks smarter than I on these things. I did notice when she is coughing the slider in the CV is fluttering up and down. After watching it, I could hear it even with the aircleaner back on. When she decides to play nice it works VERY smoothly. A buddy of mine had the carb off last night and appart (still acts like it did before so I don't have to blame and/or shoot him for messing her up LOL) but said he notice what appeared to be a burnt spot (small) on the diaphram on top of the slider.

Yeah I know this is getting long but I have a lot of time on it now and figured more info is better. Sorry for long wind. ANY ideas where to go from here? I didn't get a manual with it at all, and do have the Clymer on order, just not here yet. Thanks for entertaining this long winded post and any and all help will be much appreciated.

Steve

[chucktx]

while you had it apart, did you happen to get the jet sizes?? this would help a bit. is there a hole where the burnt spot on the slider diaphram is??? is the aircleaner clean and not stopped up?? im sure ken will see this....he is one of the gurus of carbs on the board.....and give you a solid answer!

[cowboy]

I know of two 883's that do the same thing one's a 04 & the other is a 05 the 05 was set up but the stealer & then had to be redone at home we did the 04 at home the screw in the bottom rear turn in to just snug then back out about 3 compleat turns & go from there , we ended up doing both bikes at 4.5 turn's 5 turns & you'll need to rejet

[fxdxsteve]

I agree with cowboy and chuck but you should also check for vacuum leaks with the motor running spray some wd40 or water or carb spray on the intake where it connects to the heads spray from the left side of the motor if the motor changes you have a leak also ebay has a lot of good cv carbs cheap
i bought 2 of them for 25 bucks each hope this helps and welcome to the forum there's a lot of good people here

[wvak47]

hey thanks for the quick responses, it is appreciated.

I didn't actually see the burnt spot myself so I don't know size, or if it has a hole. My buddy did say he couldn't see one, but when dealing with vaccuum it don't take much of a hole to be a bottomless pit. I didn't get the jet size either. Like I said very new to this and got a bit bent when things didn't want to come around for me. I am used to working on V6 and V8s not Vtwins. Got a V8 giving me fits now too so I am a bit on the ticked off side with anything with wheels LOL. That is why I stopped early before I really got myself in a bigger jam.

I turned the mix screw all the way in (finger tip tight as to not crush anything) and backed her out 2 full turns and started there. I did read that Sportsters seem to like a bit over 3 better. Got a bit on the skeered side to take it much past that as I didn't want to get too carried away and get it too lean or worse have that screw come out and leave me in that bigger jam I mentioned.

This evening once she and I are both cooled off I will take her apart and try to answer the jet size questions and get a better idea of that burnt spot. I wish that stupid Clymer would get here.

[cowboy]

My buddy & I have figerd out that the spory type evo engine don't like the twist wrest they get the 04 is my daughter's & the 05 is my buddys wife , there both set up about the same ie pipes & SE A cleaner , & he had to reset his after the dealer set it where alot closer the the dealer had it ,
be sure to mark the screw so you get A full turn / 1/4 turn at a time , just remember not to go over 5 complete turn's , or A rejet is in order

[wvak47]

Well I got her a lot closer this evening but still no win. About 4.25 turns seemed to have it, then all at once she went back to coughing on me. Talk about ready to scream LOL. So when she did that I said to heck with it and pulled the carb off and tore it down again.

This is my findings to this point. Please excuse my technical terms like "white plastic thing" and "pin in the center" Sorry for being a goof but I will do my best to explain what I am talking about.

The big jet in the center looked to have the # 165 on it. It has 4 sets of holes in the stem in a pattern of 3 holes, 2 over 3, 3, 2 over 3 again. The little jet off to the side of that one had 45 on it and had 4 sets of 2 holes in each stack staggard around it. The pin down through the slider had the marking of N9EY and two small washer/spacers on it. One spacer appeared to be a bit thinner but I didn't mic them.

For the burnt spot on the slider. On top of the slider there is a white plastic disc that the skirt/gasket attaches to. That plastic is burnt/melted in the exact location of the choke port. There appears to be no holes in the rubber piece at all.

If I went past 4.5 turns even a little the motor ran really rough even at idle. Not being really up on this but making a guess, I figure the jet size shouldn't be the issue. I have another question. I don't have a tach on this bike, but as I stated earlier if you can get her through that early hurdle she runs like a new machine. Would there be an issue with stepping up the idle? Last thing I want to do is set it up to cause me bigger mechanical problems later. But it sure would be nice to get to ride this thing soon. She has been home for a week and a couple trips across the yard just ain't gettin it LOL. I might have put 20 or 25 FEET on it since getting it home . New toy can't play with it, you guys understand. Like giving a syringe to a junky with no needle, this crap is killin me.

Also could it be a timing issue? I wouldn't think they would have messed with the timing and the air mix, but then again they did take the front fender off. Who knows what else they may have done.

Again thanks so much for you help and time, it is WAY appreciated.

[chucktx]

your idle speed should be in the 900/1000 range. this is to keep the oil flowing in the oil galleys. it will not have the old harley lope that most folks recognise. my books are in the shop, but i believe someone has played with your carb. i am not sure it is supposed to have shims under the needle from the factory. the higher you raise that needle the richer the carb will run. it lets fuel into throat of the carb. you are running a 165 main jet and a 45 on the idle circuit. not sure what the stock is....(book in shop)....i dont like the sound of your "melted/burnt plastic". i would change the slide diaphram. you didnt mention if there was a big spring on top of that diaphram.....there should be.
to experiment, which is what you need to do to dial in a carb......remove one of the shims from the needle. reassemble the carb and test it. you will not be able to test it in a 25 ft strip. the bike needs to get to operating temp, on the hiway. that is when you would make the air screw adjustments. also install new or cleaned plugs. removing one of the shims should lean it out a bit. if it does you wont be able to tell due to the old fouled plugs.....let us know what ya find......have fun

[wvak47]

Originally Posted by chucktx

my books are in the shop,

Dang your books are in the shop. I always heard Harleys were tinker toys (always tinkerin on them) but I didn't realize even the books had to be taken to the shop

OK Joke over, just couldn't resist.

I appreciate your reply Chuck. I have a Clymer on the way but not here yet (LOL maybe they are running it through the shop for me before they send it out LOL). Those little washer are surely there though. Don't understand why they would be myself but they is. I will take them out one at a time and try again. Actually may take them both out and start from there and if I can't get it then add the thin one. Anyway you guys don't care about that but thanks for the advice.

My idle right now Definately has the Harley Lope. Wonder if some fine person retarded her a bit. I can't complain much, I can't leave stuff alone either. I think on this project though I might break myself of tinkeritis since it gets REAL costly real quick LOL.

Again thanks to everyone who has replied it is appreciated. If anyone else has a suggestion I would appreciate them too. Tain't given up on this beast, this is just a chance for her and I to bond and for me to get to know her A LOT better. Like they say Tits or Tires right?

[fxdxsteve]

clymers are ok but the factory maintenance and parts manuals have pretty much every bit of info you need to do anything on your bike its more money but definitly worth it for the info you get you can usually get them at amazon.com

[AFNurse]

[QUOTE=wvak47;25463

My idle right now Definately has the Harley Lope. Wonder if some fine person retarded her a bit. I can't complain much, I can't leave stuff alone either. I think on this project though I might break myself of tinkeritis since it gets REAL costly real quick LOL.

[/QUOTE]

The "Harley Lope" is NOT something you want on that 2005 bike. You need the idle to be 900-1000 rpm (which is above the lope). Something about the type of oil system....NEEDS to have 900-1000rpm to keep your parts well oiled. You can keep the lope if you want, just don't be suprised when something dries up and seizes..... Good luck!

[wvak47]

Hey thanks for the heads up FXDX, I will look into getting those ASAP. I would prefer to have factory books anyday but didn't see any available in my searchs.

AFNurse I don't give a rat's rear about the "Lope" for sound effects at all. I was simply saying my bike has it right now. I don't give a hoot if it sounds like a VW as long as it is healthy and in good working order. I am taking enough grief about being a guy on a chic bike now. Being a new rider, and wanting to someday be an OLD rider, they can have their fun and I will learn and grow as my skill permits. I ain't got anything for being part of the crowd anyway. I wanted a Harley cause that is what my grandfather road in the 30s. My grandmother says as long as I am alive he will never die. Same attitude, same face, unfortunately same temper (but I am working on that). He was about my current age when he died. I have always wanted a bike, and figured now was as good of time as any to pick up and saddle up if I ever was going to. So for having a bike for a status symbol or to be cool, SCREW THAT, it is about fulfilling a personal dream and goal, and getting more in touch with a man I never got to meet.

As for the "Lope" that bastage is gone as soon as I figure out how to fix it. I want this bike to be on the road a LONG TIME from now. I don't mind spinning a wrench or two if needed, but I ain't for creating myself work neither. LOL

[AFNurse]

Good luck! I wasn't implying that you were going for the lope....just cautioning against it. I know that the "lope" question has been posed here because that "is the tradition of HD"....well, they are right...for the older bikes, but the new ones need the higher engine speed for the oil pressure. The factory service manual at the HD shop will run you approx 50$...give or take a few.....I got one for my bike and has helped me solve more problems then I care to think about! (and cut down on my "self generated problems") Most importantly, have fun!

[wvak47]

Ok now in order to get rid of this lope I need to move up the idle. To do this effective I need to know the RPM of the motor. My bike is not equipped with a tach (my luck LOL). I been looking at dwell testers (which almost ALWAYs have a RPM gage on them too) and I keep finding crap for 4,6,8 cylinders. Is there some handy dandy trick to make one of these work?

I can get one at my local Sears (right next door to where I work) for $30 but if it won't work that is half the price toward my tach for the bike. I don't much want the tach on there BUT it would be better than than to waste $30 on something that don't work at all.

[fxdxsteve]

just speed up the idle til it stops loping shouldn't be more than a couple of hundred rpm's as to the oil pressure thing I don't know about sportys but for the tc's on harley performance or night rider they have an easy fix to bring up your idle oil pressure it entails putting a small washer behind the oil pressure relief spring or you can buy the baisley spring

[voodoochild]

Originally Posted by wvak47

Hey thanks for the heads up FXDX, I will look into getting those ASAP. I would prefer to have factory books anyday but didn't see any available in my searchs.

AFNurse I don't give a rat's rear about the "Lope" for sound effects at all. I was simply saying my bike has it right now. I don't give a hoot if it sounds like a VW as long as it is healthy and in good working order. I am taking enough grief about being a guy on a chic bike now. Being a new rider, and wanting to someday be an OLD rider, they can have their fun and I will learn and grow as my skill permits. I ain't got anything for being part of the crowd anyway. I wanted a Harley cause that is what my grandfather road in the 30s. My grandmother says as long as I am alive he will never die. Same attitude, same face, unfortunately same temper (but I am working on that). He was about my current age when he died. I have always wanted a bike, and figured now was as good of time as any to pick up and saddle up if I ever was going to. So for having a bike for a status symbol or to be cool, SCREW THAT, it is about fulfilling a personal dream and goal, and getting more in touch with a man I never got to meet.

As for the "Lope" that bastage is gone as soon as I figure out how to fix it. I want this bike to be on the road a LONG TIME from now. I don't mind spinning a wrench or two if needed, but I ain't for creating myself work neither. LOL

Don't let anybody give you any sh*t for riding a sporty. You ride for you and nobody else and f*ck em if they don't like what you ride. I read on another forum a while back that the founder of the Hell's Angels rode a sporty.....let's see someone call him a *****..... Good luck with the bike.

BTW I agree that the factory manual is by far the best one to buy.

[wvak47]

You are correct, I read Sonny rode a sporty as well. These folks aren't doing anything but yankin on my chain for kicks. They think they can ruffle my feathers but I ain't worried about them.

Well as of this evening I have taken my first official ride. Feet on the pegs and all LOL. It wasn't far, just to the mouth of my hollow and back (all private drive) but it was far enough to let me know I was right. I am going to truly LOVE THIS SH*T. Basically this was a straight ride down to a small parking area to turn and back up the hill. She still isn't exactly right but running better than she ever has since I got her home. Now that is all because of you fine folks here. Thank you SO much for all your time, input and suggestions. If it matters to you guys or not, you have helped me come a long way in fulfilling a lifes dream of mine. I will always appreciate you guys for that.

My stupid cat chewed through my mouse cable so I am using the TAB button to get through this. I won't be on here much this weekend but as soon as I get the mouse back on here and more of the bugs worked out I will post and let you know how it is going. THANKS AGAIN so much.

[voodoochild]

Sonny...damn, I knew that I just couldn't remember at the time I wrote that reply. Congrats and have fun with the piglet, you'll enjoy it.

[cowboy]

did you tell that cat that ain't his type of mouse
good to here you got a decent ride , I have seen a lot of these sporty's cough & spit then run your hair loose , don't think they messed with the timming it's in the carb
my first HD was A sporty back in 70 bike was a 68 iron head shifter on the right side been riding about 42 years now & still haveing fun doing it

[mwelych]

Sporty's are H-D. Sporty's have been around longer than and other production model. My first H-D was a Sprty till it was totaled. Now I have a Heritage Softail Classic. If I get a chance to by a second bike it will be a Sporty.