Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL

C. Dolan · Jul 1st, 2008, 01:16 AM

Had a weird situation on a 1931 Harley that I have.

When I got it last year, it seemed a bit rich on low end, so I leaned it out about 1/2 a turn and it ran cleaner.

In Feb of this year, ran it up and down Palomar and the surrounding area for a 100 mile day. Ran great.

A few weeks ago, decided to run the '31 Harley again.

Bike would start to stall after I got under way.

Thought a jet had clogged since it hadn't been run since February.

Cleaned main jet, but still same problem.

Removed the long intake horn and discovered the towel.

It's probably been in there since I got it.

It was probably just partially blocking the intake causing the 1st day adjustment to lean out the mixture.

It ran fine on the 100 mile day.

The rag must have shifted a few weeks ago, choking the bike.

Now with it removed, it wanted to stall from being too lean.

Turn the richner knob back out, and it ran fine.

With the rag gone it was now getting more air and fuel than the 100 mile day.

Tested it yesterday , in 90 deg weather, and it ran noticeably stronger than it ever has. .

Below, a You Tube video of it going through a corner much faster than the cop on the BMW would have been going.

CHP was on Palomar that day.

If you go to You Tube, you can play full screen.

You Tube Video Link:

C. Dolan · Jul 1st, 2008, 01:21 AM

Hobbit · Jul 1st, 2008, 04:54 AM

very cool nice to see the oldies still being ridden and not shoved in museam

~~Fisher~~ · Jul 1st, 2008, 07:34 AM

Nice.Sounds great.

Butch · Jul 1st, 2008, 01:52 PM

Very cool!

USMCCWO5 · Jul 1st, 2008, 02:17 PM

My what a beautiful bike. Hope we see each other in the area. I would love to see the bike up close.

I would like to extend an invitation to our next HOG meeting at Biggs on 11 July at 1900. Hope you can come on your 1931 VL.

C. Dolan · Jul 1st, 2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCCWO5

My what a beautiful bike. Hope we see each other in the area. I would love to see the bike up close.

I would like to extend an invitation to our next HOG meeting at Biggs on 11 July at 1900. Hope you can come on your 1931 VL.

I'm mostly in Downtown San Diego or Palomar Mountain.

Will likely be riding it to the Helmet Law rally at Fiesta Island, 10 am , July 4th.

Ride goes from there to SD Harley for eats.

Apyle · Jul 3rd, 2008, 12:29 AM

Ha Ha, I love it!

bikermoses · Jul 16th, 2008, 04:20 PM

That is really cool!

Fourdogs · Jul 16th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Whoa!..great to see that....Thank you so much...

Jul 1st, 2008, 01:16 AM	#1
C. Dolan Warming The Wheels Ride: 1931 Harley VL Join Date: Dec 19th, 2007 Posts: 61	Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL Had a weird situation on a 1931 Harley that I have. When I got it last year, it seemed a bit rich on low end, so I leaned it out about 1/2 a turn and it ran cleaner. In Feb of this year, ran it up and down Palomar and the surrounding area for a 100 mile day. Ran great. A few weeks ago, decided to run the '31 Harley again. Bike would start to stall after I got under way. Thought a jet had clogged since it hadn't been run since February. Cleaned main jet, but still same problem. Removed the long intake horn and discovered the towel. It's probably been in there since I got it. It was probably just partially blocking the intake causing the 1st day adjustment to lean out the mixture. It ran fine on the 100 mile day. The rag must have shifted a few weeks ago, choking the bike. Now with it removed, it wanted to stall from being too lean. Turn the richner knob back out, and it ran fine. With the rag gone it was now getting more air and fuel than the 100 mile day. Tested it yesterday , in 90 deg weather, and it ran noticeably stronger than it ever has. . Below, a You Tube video of it going through a corner much faster than the cop on the BMW would have been going. CHP was on Palomar that day. If you go to You Tube, you can play full screen. You Tube Video Link:

Jul 1st, 2008, 01:21 AM	#2
C. Dolan Warming The Wheels Ride: 1931 Harley VL Join Date: Dec 19th, 2007 Posts: 61	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL

Jul 1st, 2008, 04:54 AM	#3
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 09 CVO Ultra Classic Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 8,734 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL very cool nice to see the oldies still being ridden and not shoved in museam __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jul 1st, 2008, 07:34 AM	#4
~~Fisher~~ Account Removed Ride: 1981 FLH Shovel Join Date: Apr 21st, 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 362 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL Nice.Sounds great.

Jul 1st, 2008, 01:52 PM	#5
Butch Contributor$ Ride: 99 Ultra Join Date: Apr 17th, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 175 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL Very cool!

Jul 1st, 2008, 02:17 PM	#6
USMCCWO5 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 5th, 2008 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 451 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL My what a beautiful bike. Hope we see each other in the area. I would love to see the bike up close. I would like to extend an invitation to our next HOG meeting at Biggs on 11 July at 1900. Hope you can come on your 1931 VL. __________________ Semper Fidelis, James

Jul 3rd, 2008, 12:29 AM	#8
Apyle Community Star Ride: 1987 FXRS LOWRIDER Join Date: Jan 26th, 2008 Location: st.louis MI Posts: 481 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL Ha Ha, I love it! __________________ Money can't buy happiness, but it sure can rent it for a while!

Jul 16th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#9
bikermoses Banned Ride: 2008 DYNA lowrider Join Date: May 7th, 2008 Location: waterford,mi Posts: 167 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL That is really cool!

Jul 16th, 2008, 05:33 PM	#10
Fourdogs Contributor$ Ride: 2004 Roadking Join Date: Sep 16th, 2007 Posts: 874 My Mood:	Re: Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL Whoa!..great to see that....Thank you so much...

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Tuning by Paper Towel, 1931 HD VL

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