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[Nick Name]

My 2008 electra x has started overheating and cutting out. It starts fine on kick or electric starter, tick over is fine, I've run it through the gears with the rear wheel raised with no problems, however if I take it on the road it smells hot, splutters and stops after 5 minutes. I've had the carb (mikuni) to bits and can't find any obvious problem.Any suggestions?

[Pathfinder856]

Check your ignition timing , I'm sure there is a guide on this site on ignition timing

Regards

Rich

[Revband]

It sound as if the bike is possibly running lean, main jet partly blocked, restricted fuel flow, blocked filter/air vent etc.

[Scalyback]

possible causes, obstructed fuel filter if fitted. Symptoms are, usual starting, then lean mix, and then when throttle open usually on the road, spluttering and jolting as the fuel required by the engine starts to exceed what the fuel filter can pass.



check the sly little bike has not gone and lost all it's oil. that can have an effect on cooling.



As above, check timing.



out of ideas for now...

[Scalyback]

Hopefully our resident Australian expert on electra X's can shed some light on the problem?

[Pathfinder856]

Check the advance / retard mechanism is working ok, I had a similar problem on another bike , stripped and cleaned it and lubricated it and it worked fine afterwards.

[Norm]

Electra ignition timing can only be altered ver slightly by using the offset woodruff keys and this is not going to be the cause of the overheating. How hot is it getting? You might have to fit an oil temp gauge to see how hot it is getting

[Norm]

Just read this again how long have you had this bike? sounds like a new purchase to me

[Tim NZ]

Start by checking the fuel flow: disconnect fuel line from carb turn on fuel and measure flow for 5 minutes, to see if it is slowing down...


Blocked petrol cap vent?

[Thack]

Are you quite sure it's overheating? How do you know? I wouldn't go on what it smells like. Probably best to use one of those non-contact thermometers which work on radiant heat. Not particularly cheap, though.



As others have said, it sounds like some kind of fuel starvation.