Intruders-Alert

I went to start up my vl1500 the other day and it took longer to fire when it did there sounded like a backfire in the airbox with a wisp of smoke rolling out. I shut it down and when i fired it back up Bike idled real rough but no backfire. Only mods are unbaffled cobra pipes and a jet kit. Where do i even start with this? Any help is appreciated.

If you would please,....a little more background would help us help you better.

How long has it been sitting before this happened? Has this ever happened before? Were there any symptoms of anything that might be amiss last time you Rode it?

The first thing I would do is check the airfilter for damage. I have had foam air filters torn apart by a backfire through the carb and they can be sucked into the carb.

I would take the battery to an auto parts store to have it load tested. Weak battery can cause the sluggish starting.

It had only sat about a week when it happened. Prior to that the only problem i had was the fuel pump cut out while riding to work but worked fine the next day.

My guess, Intermittent fuel pump. They start going in and out before they die completely.

Btrey554 wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:16 pm

It had only sat about a week when it happened. Prior to that the only problem i had was the fuel pump cut out while riding to work but worked fine the next day.

Thank you for this info.
The more we know, the better will be our help.

And!,.....Lo And Behold?.........just look at what SgtCall just posted !

Btrey554 wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:04 am

Only mods are unbaffled cobra pipes and a jet kit.

Is that different needles as well? If so these can cut into the needle jet seats and cause erratic fuelling. Carbs lay flat on the LC so the needles oval the seats over time - worse / quicker with aftermarket needles.

Your problem is more than likely the fuel pump but if you get the carbs off at any stage its worth checking the needle jet seats. GMan Industries still does a carb rebuild for the LC and its worth every cent in my opinion.

Thanks all. im going to take a look at it this weekend and see what i find. I believe it is still the stock needles just shimmed. Ill probably rejet with a gman kit. Ive heard pretty good things about them.

Btrey554 wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 03, 2022 5:10 pm

Thanks all. im going to take a look at it this weekend and see what i find. I believe it is still the stock needles just shimmed. Ill probably rejet with a gman kit. Ive heard pretty good things about them.

Gary knows his stuff. How many miles? Over 40k and they could probably do with new needle seats anyway. It's not DIY - they are pressed in hence Gary has that service in house.

Its got 22k miles on it now but it would probably be worth getting new needle seats done while I'm at it.

Btrey554 wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 03, 2022 7:51 pm

Its got 22k miles on it now but it would probably be worth getting new needle seats done while I'm at it.

Do consider the Expense. Not only on $$,...but in lost Riding Time.

My Grandad once told me,...."Don't fix it if it isn't Broken".

My carbs have around 260,000 miles on them. The only thing I have done to them is sync them at least once a year, patch holes in the diaphrams and drill the vacuum holes in the slides. Still starts and runs good as of 4 days ago.

Herb wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:03 am

My carbs have around 260,000 miles on them. The only thing I have done to them is sync them at least once a year, patch holes in the diaphrams and drill the vacuum holes in the slides. Still starts and runs good as of 4 days ago.

A Good Testimonial. Thank you.

I replaced my Needle Jets at about 65,000 miles because I saw some smoke appear out the Pipes when accelerating in a video one of my Riding Buddys took. Had a clue that something was amiss because my mileage averaged about 35 MPG.

But before that,...no need to do it.

This is an LC - carbs are racked togther and both lay down.

Totally different animal to the 1400.

hillsy v2 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 04, 2022 2:22 pm

This is an LC - carbs are racked togther and both lay down. Totally different animal to the 1400.

Both Herb and I are aware for this.

However, there Is a "layed down" Carburetor on the 1400 in a nearly identical position to the 1500 paired Carbs (that being: the Front one) . And that is the "bench mark" Carb I used for gauging the need to replace the Needle Jets at 65,000 miles. I know there were several 1500 owners on the Purple board who have gone similar distance without any needle/jet issues.

Up until about then, there was no need to do so.

You guys are talking about a different bike with TOTALLY different carbs.

The needle jet seats on the LC carbs are a known issue and problematic. Unlike the VS they are pressed in and need special tools to remove / replace. The stock seats will wear out in about 40k miles but if someone has put aftermarket needles in they will saw through the jets a lot faster.

Gary bought this work off Half Crazy from the Purple Board so it's not like it's a once in a blue moon occurrence. The replacement seats he uses are hardened and will not wear out.

Btrey554 - I recommend you get in touch with Gary and have a chat - your carbs may not need the full treatment but he will let you know. I sent my carbs to him from Australia and it was worth every cent. Night and day difference.

Pardon,...but the Physics a Needle and Jet interaction while laying down in these Carbs is the same.

That the Needle Jet(s) on the 1500 are pressed in has nothing to do with the rate at which they can get ovaled by the Needle.

And that you mention the 1500 Jets can possible be in need of replacement at 40,000 miles is almost Twice the mileage of what Btrey 554 has. And he reports no symptom of poor MPG at his 22,000 miles.

So it pretty clear he has about 20,000 more Good Miles of Riding before him needing to spend some big $$$ on replacement.

Designer wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 04, 2022 9:01 pm

Pardon,...but the Physics a Needle and Jet interaction while laying down in these Carbs is the same.

That the Needle Jet(s) on the 1500 are pressed in has nothing to do with the rate at which they can get ovaled by the Needle.

And that you mention the 1500 Jets can possible be in need of replacement at 40,000 miles is almost Twice the mileage of what Btrey 554 has. And he reports no symptom of poor MPG at his 22,000 miles.

So it pretty clear he has about 20,000 more Good Miles of Riding before him needing to spend some big $$$ on replacement.

If he thinks it is a good idea and is willing to pay for it I see no reason to discourage him. My post is just my experience, for whatever that is worth.

Designer wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 04, 2022 9:01 pm

Pardon,...but the Physics a Needle and Jet interaction while laying down in these Carbs is the same.

That the Needle Jet(s) on the 1500 are pressed in has nothing to do with the rate at which they can get ovaled by the Needle.

And that you mention the 1500 Jets can possible be in need of replacement at 40,000 miles is almost Twice the mileage of what Btrey 554 has. And he reports no symptom of poor MPG at his 22,000 miles.

So it pretty clear he has about 20,000 more Good Miles of Riding before him needing to spend some big $$$ on replacement.

Nothing is "clear" here. We don't know what shape his carbs are in and whether there are aftermarket needles in them.

That's why he needs to talk to a REAL expert about them (that's not anyone on this forum, btw).