2005 Harley Davidson FXSTS - FXSTSI Springer Softail Logo
Posted on Aug 27, 2011
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2005 fxstsi is misfiring through the breather and idling rough. Putting a load on the engine while riding it is fine but leveling off it starts backfiring.

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  • Master 4,565 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 27, 2011
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This sounds like the typical lean mixture problem. In order to pass the EPA's emission requirements, Harley has to jet the carb extremely lean. This causes the engine "spit" through the carb, not idle well, and run hot. To solve this problem, you need to rejet the carb by going one or two steps richer on the low speed jet and raise the slide needle slightly. If this is something that has just started recently, it could be a small bit of trash partially blocking the low speed jet in the carb or your using a different formulation of fuel. You carb probably came with a #45 slow jet. I usually install either a #48 or in some cases,a #50 depending on the exhaust system on the bike. I remove the needle from the slide and install a 3mm flat washer under the stop on the needle to RAISE the needle approximately 0.023". This enrichens the mid-range of the carb just slightly. Of course, you need to carefully drill and remove the "anti-tamper" plug from the idle mixture adjustment screw and readjust the idle mixture once you get the engine back running.

Good Luck
Steve

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