Harley Carburetor

QuestionI have a 1999 Dyna Wideglide with only 36,000 miles on it. I only ride it a couple times a year because I ride my Ultra Classic most of the time. I’ve never had a problem with it until now it wont stay running unless I hold the choke out on the Harley carburetor. If I rev the engine, it runs but runs bad like it has a miss and pops and flames shoot out the pipes. If I let off the gas, it dies. It runs smooth when I’m holding the choke out. What do you think is causing my problem?


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Answer You need to clean/rebuild your Harley carburetor and replace intake seals. Your intermediate jet (slow jet) is blocked. Also, make sure you are using fresh fuel and spark plugs.




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Harley Carburetor Troubleshooting



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15 Responses to “Harley Carburetor”

  1. Randy Wilson

    I have the issue. I have a 2002 Deuce and it ran fine with the exception of a timing chain noise so I replaced the tensioner shoes and made sure to keep everything in time but now it won't stay running without the choke out. I inspected the carb bowl, main jet and slow jet and all was clean. The only thing I can think of, is did I adjust the adjustable pushrods correctly. At TDC I got the pushrods to zero lash and did 4 turns and waited for the lifters to bleed down. Please help

  2. Ronnie

    I got 1999 same bike y'all was talking about one I got start but won't say running what u think

  3. JAMES

    I have a 1989 ultra classic where are the videos for my bike.

  4. wesley Throckmorton

    My 1998 Harley has no spark in the spark plug.

  5. Edward D Hernandez

    I have 99 FATBOY, I rode it to work just fine then that evening going home on the freeway it backfires a couple times and stalled. Couldn’t get it to start up and haven’t been able since

  6. fenderbender67

    I have a 1998 FLSTS on which I have just rebuilt the carbs and replaced the inlet seals. Bike ran for a couple of miles then died and would not restart. I have also bypassed the vacuum on the petcock valve because of some very violent hesitating (lurching) which seems to have stopped since the bypass. Any suggestions as to what it may be?

  7. chris

    I got a 94 ultraclassictourglide runs out of fuel pulling long grade hills. Put a new cab/vacuum piston in, no change. Newer plugs, wires air cleaner. Any thoughts?

  8. moses

    I have a 1996 1200 sportster did a complete rebuild kit. Left original jets in and made sure all were clear. Reinstalled and started bike. Ran great on idil then died when I gave it gas.

  9. todd

    just rebuilt and cleaned carb on 97 sportster 883, starts fine and idles normally but stumbles when I give it any throttle the main needle attached to the diaphragm flutters and the bike stalls

  10. JOHN F HANCOCK

    I have a 2000 Dyna Wide Glide I have the same problem, my bike I have to pull the choke in order for my bike to run, when I let off of the throttle it will die. I would like to get the information on fixing or rebuilding a carburetor for my bike. Can you help me?