Total Motorcycle Community Forums

1977 Harley Davidson, 1000cc sportster, electric start. Less than 10,000
miles. I bought this bike new. I have installed new plugs, points, condenser, battery. It has new plug wires not over one and a half year old. It is starting hard. No unusual sounds from engine after it starts. Seems to run ok. It does have a rich exhaust when I first get it started.
I've not messed with the carburator or timing. Timing has never been off before. Also I have to pull the choke all the way and pump the throttle
when I get it started. It has not been this way other years. It has not been abused. The plugs and points gap are set according to the manual
specifications. Could I have a broken valve spring? How could I check for a broken valve spring? It acts like fouled plugs. I put a second new set in.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Come on back,
Just Jack

Have you checked the air filter? It may be plugged, try removing it and see if that makes it start easier. You might also want to clean and rebuild the carb, over time the passageways will get clogged with dirt and cause poor performance. How long has the gas been sitting in the tank? Try draining it and the carb float bowl completely to get rid of any bad fuel, then fill it with fresh stuff.

I doubt a broken valve spring would give you this kind of trouble. You'd have poor performance but you'd also have increased noise from the cylinder head area.

Thanks for the come back. I believe you are right on the carburator problem. I did let it set this time a little longer than usual (I mean over last winter). I think I'll look into cleaning the carb. It has all new gas in it now. I'll try it with the air filter out, too. It starts good after I get it started and ride it but then it sets overnight and it is hard stating again.
I love my Harley.
God rides with me.
Just Jack

I was so puzzled because it had never acted this way before. I removed the carbuerator and took it apart and cleaned it good. It still was popping and spitting some. I had already put two sets of new plugs in . I cleaned them and put them back in but wouldn't even fire. I got another set and set the plug gap a little wider. It is starting great and running great. I do thank Mike for his help as he was
the only one to reply to my problem.
God rides with me.
Just Jack