My engine keeps 'racing'... why?

Vildo · L Plate Warrior Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Karma :

Hi guys, can anyone help me please? I have Harley 883c, 09 year. In last few weeks, the engine keeps sort racing on its own, as if you give it full throttle... i'm not giving it any. It happens after riding for 10 ish minutes when doing 30 ish mph. I usually stop, put there neutral, wait for 10 seconds... during which the engine 'screams' and slowly slows down till it gets normal, at which point one of the indicators on speedometer comes on for 5 ish seconds, then goes of... and I can start riding again.... only for all to repeat in 10 ish minutes.

Could this be oil thing? While ago, when out in the sticks... as an emergency (once I had oil leak) I was adviced over the phone by HD dealers to use Diesel oil 10w-40b3 as it was in its structure closest to the oil I should be using. I've had this oil in the bike since. I thought it sounded crazy to have diesel oil in the bike, but apparently it was the thing to do...

What do you think? Thank you for any help. Vil[/i]

Paxovasa · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Karma :

Try a new throttle cable or lube the current cable.

Harley's are tractors so the diesel oil will work in it Laughing

____________________
Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

Willson · Traffic Copper Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Karma :

Try some redex fuel system cleaner (my answer for everything Wink

) and try the above.

If that doesn't work, try changing the oil and filter back the manufacturer's recommended.

If that fails, I'm out of suggestions Smile

____________________
Benson: Wouldn't life be easier if we were all turtles?
Me: Pig on bread = The way forward.
Riding: '00 Suzuki SV650S. Previous: '99 Kawasaki ER5 - sold, '02 Suzuki GZ125 Marauder - sold

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

Well I would rule out anything to do with oil.
It sounds like a sticking throttle cable but the indicator light maybe suggests an electronic cause.
How technical are newer Harleys?
To get round emissions control I suppose it has auto choke and that could cause the engine to rev if faulty.
Probably a trip to dealer required.

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

A 2009 bike must still be under warranty right? I'd not touch a thing on it and give it back to the dealer to sort out. Any fiddling by you could be used by the dealer as an excuse to wriggle out of fixing it.