| Author | Message | ||
     Buellfuell |
After what was supposed to be a leisurly ride last night on my M2, I realized there are still some issues to be worked out. I can ride the bike for about 10 minutes before it dies like it's running out of fuel, even though the fuel filter is full of fuel and there's plenty of gas in the tank. My remedy for this is to pull over, wait about 5 minutes, and she'll start right back up like nothing happened. When I first got the bike, I noticed the factory fuel line routing put the fuel line between the cylinders and the carb bracket. Since this seemed like a recipe for disaster, I routed the fuel line around the left side of the tank, in front of the battery and following the frame on the right side. Since the exhaust is right below the frame on the right side, I could feel the fuel line getting very hot. I tried insulating the frame with a piece of rubber heater hose, but that didn't solve the problem. Is there a better way I should be routing the fuel line? When I looked this up on Harley forums, everyone said not to run a fuel filter, why is that? I know it keeps fuel in the line longer, giving it the ability to heat up more, but I'd feel much better knowing a small piece of garbage won't shut down any riding. | ||
| Blks1l |
Run it back between the cylinders. Did the fuel line have a peice of insulating material around it? I beleive you should have a screen in your tank on the petcock, I haven't had one out though to verify. | ||
| Buellfuell |
The fuel line did have a piece of insulation around it. The reason I ran the fuel line differently is I found that the fuel line would be restricted once the carb bracket is tightened and it gets wedged between one of the cylinder heads and the bracket. I just can't see how it this is a good idea... | ||
| Kevmean |
It maybe didn't seem a good idea having it between the cylinders but it sounds like they run far better and longer with it there than they do with your alternative routing  | ||
| Jayvee |
I run mine through the little square choke bracket. It has the sleeve over it. You could alway get the stainless braided line, or a similar cover too. I had a lil' K&N filter on it before, right near the petcock. Now I put the quick-disconnect there, and still need to find a place for the filter. I put the filter in after the float bowl got stuck open and I dumped gas on the street for a while. Kind of embarrassing at the stoplight, when somebody tells me (for the 3rd/4th/5th time) that I'm leaking gas ! | ||
| Buellfuell |
Haha thanks kev  Jayvee, I understand running the fuel line through the choke cable, but how did you route it when it gets to the carb? I never found a good way to get it through the carb bracket and avoid the cylinder heads. | ||
| Buellfuell |
Re-routed the fuel line last night, so far everything is working properly. Only issue I ran into is regarding the fuel filter. I installed a small, plastic Visu-Filter near the petcock, but after a 20 mile ride, the heat from the engine was melting the filter. Should I run a metal filter or will that cause the fuel to vaporize in the line? | ||
| Kilroy |
These came from the factory without an in-line filter. I have been running my M2 for 13 years without a filter. Other Harley powered bikes before that. Unless you see a reason that you MUST put a filter in, I vote for taking it out. | ||
| Buellfuell |
Only reason I want a filter is to lessen the chance of a piece of trash getting into the fuel system and plugging one/both jets in the carburetor. Cheap insurance when you think about it. Seems like Harley's designers didn't want a filter to be installed due to the heat produced by this engine. | ||
| Kilroy |
If you are running the stock petcock, the filter/screen on that should be enough to keep you from getting a "plugged" jet from a single piece of trash. This doesn't preclude the need to clean your jets from time to time, because crap will accumulate over time. Use a high quality fuel also... | ||
| Jayvee |
I had mine for several years, only an inch away from the rear head, never even hinted at melting. Will be installing it again soon, in about the same spot, without worry. http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/kn-in-line -gas-filter/23-8902.aspx | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Sounds like you are running lean. If you are melting filters you are probably running too hot. Make sure your tank vent line is clear, not pinched and that the tank breather is not gummed up. My California model had a very similar problem when I brought it to Utah, it was my jetting. Running lean caused it to overheat - telling the head temp sensor to put it in skip spark mode, then I'd stall. It's pretty much just a gravity feed fuel supply so don't do anything with your routing that will restrict the flow or defeat the gravity feed - like maybe running it downhill then up again, but you got that sorted already. These bikes are supposed to get high octane pump gas too, don't run the cheap stuff. |
