Hitchcocks Forum

hi guys bike hard to start, fires up briefly then cuts out, does this four or five times then runs. when running sounds ok but every 20-30 seconds it seems to misfire and i can only stop her cutting out by increasing idle revs. when on road she misfires, coughs n splutters. if i fully screw in mixture how many turns out for proper setting. also any advice re my problem appreciated. many thanks wolf.  2002 ELECTRA X. low miles. 

sorry finger trouble, should read 2008 electra x.

Hi Wolf - the setting up of the idling speed is as follows....


1. Make sure the engine is fully warmed up, and have engine running.


2.  Turn the pilot air screw fully in, and reduce the engine rpm to its slowest rate using the idle adjuster screw.


3. Open the pilot air screw to around 2 to 3 half turns. At some point around here the engine speed will increase and run steadily.


4. Adjust the idling screw to give a nice tickover speed.


With regards to your misfiring (if the above doesn't cure it) try cleaning the points and checking the gap. Also make sure the HT lead isn't shorting out (look for sparks around the lead is a dark garage). Clean the plug and set the gap.


Try this lot first and if no luck come back on here.


Good luck


Tony R.

thanks riggers, will try the carb set up tomorrow. re the misfire the bike has electronic ignition but yea i will need to check the ht lead too. many thanks. wolf.

 Tony R,


      Do you have any idea how many Electra owners would love to be abe to tickle their  points, problem is they don't have any

When you look at the points check To see if they have a white deposit on them as it sounds a bit like condesor failure. Generally mixture doesn't directly cause missing unless the plug is fogged. Leanness will cause spitting of course but unless there is water in the petrol richness will just cause poor performance and black smoke until the plug dies.

Wolf is this a leanburn electra or an indian home market cos if it is the former no points lad just try an iridium plug and push the choke in one click as soon as started.

Been thinking Wolf - to me it sounds like she's running weak. Give us more to go on. Have you just got the bike? If not when did problem start? Have you changed anything?


Does she 'cough and slutter;' at any particular speed? Have you done a plug check? if so what colour is it?


You'll need to do this at the speed the problem is happening  - if problem's at (say) 50mph run the bike at this speed for a few miles and then cut the engine and pull in. Check the plug for colour - white too weak, black and sooty - too rich. Creamy coffee - just right!


If you find any of the above probs I, or many other of the guys on here can advise what to do.


Cheers


Rigggers

hi riggers, she coughs n splutters at any speed and at idle, not done a plug check just put a new one in, bike was in shed for last two months but had same symptons before lay up but not as severe, not changed anything.ps. had her for a few years. was hoping to take her out to do plug chop today and also set the mixture but wife says im decorating today, oh the life of a roughty toughty biker.lol. wolf.

Condenser, just saying is all.