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Power loss @ 3000 > rpm

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by paco, Apr 3, 2007.

  1. paco

    paco New Member

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    Hello, new to forum

    I have 90 FLHTCU tour bike. sbc - heads, cometic .030 head gaskets, bored .005 over, carb been rejetted/slide worked,hi-flow se a/c, ev27 cam, adjustable p-rods, se ignition module, v/h 2 into 1 pro pipe. less than 10,000 miles on build.

    Problem : at 3000 rpm >< looses power. 60-70 tops in 5th gear. just bogs down and won't go.

    I have checked :
    1. carb has been taken apart and cleaned jets -- was ok--same power loss
    2. checked for leaking intake --- was ok ---same power loss
    3. replaced the ignition mod with the stock one. --- same power loss
    4. checked all wires for raw places. --- none so far
    5. cleaned the petcok filter and petcock. --- ok --same loss
    6. checked voe switch for closing at 5-6 in vac. -- ok -- same loss
    7. checked the pickup cup in nose cone for looseness. -- ok -- same loss
    8. HAVE NOT replaced nose cone pick sensor -- today hopefully
    9. checked brakes for dragging. not dragging
    10. checked pushrods for proper adjustment. --ok
    11. checked compression.--110 front. --115 rear
    12. new plugs ---going for new plug wires today.
    13. checked air filter, cleaned and replaced. -----same power loss


    it acts like the timing is not advancing ??
    I have no idea where to go from here. Any one got any ideas ??
    Yes, I do have a service manual and parts manual and have been intimate with both......
    Thanks for any help.

    paco
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2007
  2. Ted

    Ted New Member

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    Paco

    Could the tank vent be pluged? Are you sure the tank is draining fast enough? Sure sounds like a gas problem.Just a thought.
    Later Ole Ted
  3. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    power l

    Could there be any restrictions in your exhaust.....I had a problem like that when I put new exhaust on my sportty,the baffles were to restrictive,I couldn't get anything over 2000 rpm's....Hope you find your problem....
  4. paco

    paco New Member

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    power loss at 3000 rpm

    thanks for the replies.

    I opened the tank cap last night and it didn't change anything. So , I don't think the line is plugged, I will check it again, when i get home from work.

    I have a new pick up sensor coming today, i will check the exhaust when I put the sensor in, as i will have to pull the exhaust to install.

    Again thanks for the replies.

    paco
  5. 2fastnaz

    2fastnaz Moderator

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    You might check for air restrictions in the air box/filter. I had a Honda once that did the same thing. A pack rat had taken up residence and had the filter clogged.

    It seems to me if the ignition wasn't advancing you'd get some backfiring. I don't know though just a guess.
  6. ReeseSS

    ReeseSS New Member

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    Not knowing how many miles you have on the build, what you described, going flat after a certian rpm, could also indicate that the valve springs are getting "tired" (valve float). My "built" car I change them out after 25,000 miles.
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2007
  7. paco

    paco New Member

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    hey guys,

    cleaned and checked air filter and all parts while had the carb off.


    I did the build about one yr. ago. I also have a 1999 95 in. roadglide tc i ride, so the build has about 10,000 mi. could be the valves floating.....

    thanks for the replies....
    paco
  8. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Check you jets in the carb, sounds like it's got a fuel problem

    Had a 95 inch that with the thunderheader ran great, pulled them to stick on the longshot V&H pipes for fun (and loud) and it wouldnt pull over 3500 just bogged down, too much fuel, pulled main back two sizes and it ran great.
  9. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    were all the changes made at the same time. or did the problem start after one thing was done?
  10. paco

    paco New Member

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    Everything was done at the same time except the cam and pro pipe. The cam that I used with the build in the beginning was the ev46. I ran the ev 46 and the v/h pro pipe together about a month or so and had a base gasket leak. While i had the top end apart i replaced the base gasket with the Hayden oil fix and put the .030 head gaskets in. installed the ev 27 after talking to short block charlie. put it all back together w/the v/h pro pipe and it ran like a raped ape. Been running about 2 weeks great. it ran 122mph in the qrt mile Teresi dyno drags @ 75 hp at the local dealer.

    paco
  11. paco

    paco New Member

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    The plugs are running with a light tan apperance when i pulled them so I don't think it is getting to much gas, however I could be wrong. I will check again.

    paco
  12. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    It may not overall but it might be at a specific point, and these can be made worse by a bad combo of pipes, heads, cams and carb, sometimes things don't work together well

    How long has the problem been around, have you always had the problem or did it start after you made a change?
  13. Ted

    Ted New Member

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    Hi Paco

    I have sean a case with a bad intake valve spring would alow you to see gass vapor blowing out the carburetor wile the motor is running. Another thing I've tryed. Take a business card and cover the exaust pipe with the motor running and the card will slap back on the pipe as the exaust is sucked back as the cylinder starting its intake stroke . Just food for thought.
  14. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    Rather than relying on your compression check I'd run a leakdown test instead. This will tell you if you have specific problems with rings, valves, etc.

    Given that everything ran good for the first couple weeks indicates a possible component failure somewhere.

    You also mentioned having the carburetor apart for cleaning but not what kind of modifications it may have. If you have a dynojet or other kit installed that uses an adjustable needle, make sure it's not hanging up inside the slide. If you are using a stock needle with shims (which I recommend against) make sure the shim isn't preventing the needle from seating.

    Double check that the slide is operating correctly. Below is how the slide should work. The second video shows the typical action when the slide diaphram is cracked or pinched.

    Good diaphram:
    [youtube]L4knwjlNC1o[/youtube]

    Bad diaphram:
    [youtube]k1YOkoekIeA[/youtube]
  15. paco

    paco New Member

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    Thanks for all replies. THE BIT*H IS BACK !!!!

    Would have never thought that a hole that small in the carb diaphram would cause that type of problem. I was looking for the worse case senerio and i guess it was the simplest. there was a crack in the diaphram that was in the crease where the diaphram rolls into the groove in the top of the carb body. had another there on the self, dropped it in, put her back together and up the road like a raped ape, screaming at the top of my lungs. yeehaaa, i can do that here in Alabama!

    Thanks to all again and especially kenfuzed for pointing at the carb. I am old and have always been a slow learner.....

    later.......................paco
  16. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    glad ya got the problem handled!!!!!! ride safe and have fun!!!!!!
    chuck
  17. Slimjim

    Slimjim Active Member

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    WOW! That is a slick demo, Ken. You couldn't have done more except go there and do the work yourself. I'm impressed.
    Slim
  18. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    Paco, great to hear you found the problem. Sometimes its the little stuff that will drive you nuts!
    Nice to know that YouTube is good for something other than kids showing off their dance moves or bump-key demos. :p
  19. whacker

    whacker Active Member

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    power loss

    Great you got the problem fixed....Now you can go out and catch some wind...I would go riding,but it's snowing out,michigan weather :(
  20. paco

    paco New Member

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    Thanks All,

    Snowing Whacker? Damnit boy, I'm glad I down here in Alabama. It's 54 and cloudy , but it ain't snowing! It's been in the 80's last weekend. I was in Sturgis, Michigan summer before last in late June, it was nice that time of yr.
    Think we are headed to Key West at the first of next month, can't hardly wait to get in the road. Its always nice in the Keys! well, almost always....

    later...........................paco

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