2017-01-15 XLH Ironhead test ride

Clutch is holding great after adjustment, and the bike will putt around fine for awhile, but will die immediately after using anything near full throttle, even for just a few seconds. It will get rough and backfire and then shut off. If I wait a few minutes, it will start right back up and the process may be repeated. After using about half throttle, it will become choppy and behave as if it has a low RPM limiter. I suspect timing, advance mechanism, or pushrod adjustment, since I haven't inspected any of those items yet.

[@ImminghamIronhead]

Love the look of this bike; some sportsters seem out of proportion with the big fat back end and spindly forks/tiny tank combo, but this one gets it spot on. The sound is phenomenal too; nothing snarls like an Ironhead.

[@michaelhaddan1965]

It's crazy how much I love this video. Inspires me to get my 1970 Ironhead going. Thanks~

[@MattEllermets]

Glad to hear it!

[@alfajuj]

She looks to be a 1974 XLH. Great year, last year for the right side shift.

[@MattEllermets]

Right on both ✌️

[@thakery5720]

If it doesn't need choke to start it from cold then it is running rich. Check the Pilot (or intermediate as you Yanks call it) for too big a jet. The other problems you mention suggest the Main jet is too small or fuel starvation . Take the carb off and give it a good clean out, when re-assembling make sure the float height is correct and that the float valve stops the flow of gas properly, making sure the float bowl gasket does't stop the float from rising to full height and shutting off the fuel flow - too high a fuel level makes it run rich. If the fuel level is too low then it'll seem to run weak and die a lot.Also drain, clean and flush the tank making sure the fuel tap filter is clean as the problems could be fuel delivery related - as in it isn't flowing well enough. If it starts at all the timing ain't far out and the pushrod adjustment cannot cause problems that are engine speed related - if they are loose or tight they are that way all through the rev range, if too tight then the valves won't seat and it'll fire down the exhaust or backfire so much it won't run.

[@MattEllermets]

Thanks

[@DaveyJonesLockerwithJazzy]

Just needs to get warm, my 76 runs with choke on till I hit the road, then to lean & she's set.. don't fiddle with anything. They need to run not sit around..

[@straightpipec6099]

Overall looked like a nice machine.

[@badsanta518]

curious - what was the issue? Did you get it straightened out?

[@cuellar23]

Definitely check static timing. had the same condition on my '76 XLH. I had it timed wrong.

[@MattEllermets]

rich c Thank you sir!

[@MattEllermets]

I set points gap and static timing as per manual, but the bike still ran like shit. I don't have a timing light (need to get one), so instead I just bumped the points plate slightly counterclockwise, then tested, and repeat. After maybe 3 or 4 tests it suddenly ran much better, revving all the way out without backfiring and without choking up. I was able to go all the way out to near top of 4th at almost full throttle. Felt like 120mph, was probably really only about 70...

[@garytrahan6519]

Have you cleaned out the carb? Mine was doing that, had trash in the bowl and a jet

[@MattEllermets]

Gary Trahan Yes one of the first things I did when I got this bike home was to clean the carb and install new soft parts from the correct Zenith rebuild kit. Still could be possible to be dirty again though, the tank was a little flaky inside.

[@Jimiluv450]

Dodgy ignition coil

[@modsquad1670]

Take that vintage bike to a race

[@MattEllermets]

HighTopGoons which one ;)

[@modsquad1670]

Matt Ellermets aha the friggin grey one, that 02 is a beauty

[@dennisschell5543]

You shouldn't own this bike....

[@MattEllermets]

Thanks dude, good chat