Engine cutting out

[BigSpenda864]

When I get up to about 3000 rpm the engine will cut out sometimes. It happens fairly often but seems to be most often when I am in 4th and 5th gear. Also, when I am cruising at speed it happens a good bit then. It seems like its always around 3000 rpm though. It will even do it sometimes when I am accelerating hard and not cruising. By cutting out I don't mean is shuts off. It seems like its trying to take a big gulp of air or something. Almost like its running out of gas. Anyway, just wanted some thoughts on it.

 

[Dakotabos]

What kind of air cleaner do you have? Do you have after market pipes?
Are you vapor locking? Loosen your gas cap and run it hard and see if it happens. I took the guts out of my gas cap means it so damn hot down here I had a problem with vapor lock but my dog is an 04

 

[ohio dog]

re-jet? how are your plugs?

 

[barhopper]

Carb or FI?

 

[bruce]

need to no what air cleaner and pipes you have, could not tell from picture, maybe put some pictures of your bike on here. but there is a plug on top I think left side of s&s carb. that you may need to remove to stop vapor lock if you are not running stock stuff. mainly air cleaner. If you need more info e-mail me. I may be able to help you.

 

[BigSpenda864]

Its carb and I have the stock air clear still with no modifications. The pipes are Martin Bros. Medustas. When I had the pipes put on the bike was re-jetted. I haven't pulled the plugs to check them. The bike only has 400 to 500 miles on it.

 

[BigSpenda864]

What kind of air cleaner do you have? Do you have after market pipes?
Are you vapor locking? Loosen your gas cap and run it hard and see if it happens. I took the guts out of my gas cap means it so damn hot down here I had a problem with vapor lock but my dog is an 04

I don't know anything about vapor locking. I will try what you suggest to see if I can rule it out or confirm the issue. I was hoping it was just an adjustment needed to the carb or something. I have only owned EFI bikes before this one so I am new at some of this stuff.

 

[ohio dog]

no doubt running lean. pull the plugs and see what they look like. when you go in for 500 mile service make sure they re-tune carb.

 

[BigSpenda864]

no doubt running lean. pull the plugs and see what they look like. when you go in for 500 mile service make sure they re-tune carb.

I was thinking something like that. I will take it in soon for the service and have it checked. Am I looking to see if the plugs are starting to foul somewhat? I assume if there's an issue they will be burning black. Sound correct?

 

[lee]

not correct - not if its running lean anyway - if they're black that would indicate you are running rich - they should be a tan / greyish colour if you're mixture is right. There are threads on here on reading spark plugs - just type "spark plugs" in the search function and you should find what you need to know. Also learn how to rejet your carb yourself (again its well documented on here) as the dealers aften seem to get it wrong and its always better to be able to do these things yourself anyway.

 

[BigSpenda864]

not correct - not if its running lean anyway - if they're black that would indicate you are running rich - they should be a tan / greyish colour if you're mixture is right. There are threads on here on reading spark plugs - just type "spark plugs" in the search function and you should find what you need to know. Also learn how to rejet your carb yourself (again its well documented on here) as the dealers often seem to get it wrong and its always better to be able to do these things yourself anyway.

Great. Thanks for the info. I checked the How To section and found a bunch of great info. I know you fellas get tired of answering the same old questions.

 

[lee]

not a problem - I doubt your cutting out problem is purely down to A/F mixture but you do need to get it right

 

[Gas Man]

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/4943-how-adjust-your-carb-check-jetting.html

 

[BigSpenda864]

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/4943-how-adjust-your-carb-check-jetting.html

Thanks. I found that in a search the other day. I probably should've searched before I started asking questions. I am planning on following these steps this weekend and trying to figure things out.