XLT Bog help

[Bruce]

I have a 98 XLT Touring that is just flat off idle. It barely has enough
power to get moving. Once going it's ok but still very slugish. Fuel
consumption stinks... 7-9 MPG cruising. It's stock, 34mm carbs not the
38's.

I think it's running rich, my mechanic checked the choke plungers which are
not stuck, raised the clips 1/2 notch (seemed to help a little), but still
even at idle it just seems flat even before hiting clutch engagement RPM.
Compression is good on all three cylinders.

Help, how do I wake this thing up???

Bruce

[David Courtney]

The first thing to do is to make sure the carbs are sync'd so they open
together. People are absolutely amazed at how much different it makes in
the starting, idle quality, acceleration, and fuel economy. There are three
main things to check.
First, when you squeeze the throttle lever... reach into the first carb
opening and make sure that the slide is even with the top of the venturi;
you might not have to squeeze the lever right to the handlebar to get the
slide to the top. Hold the throttle so the slide is flush with the
opening... then check the other two slides to make sure they are flush, too.
If not, adjust the cable adjusters on top of the carbs until they are all
exactly even. You might have to adjust them all up or down slightly if the
throttle lever free play is not right when your done with step 2... or the
safety switch will keep the engine from running.
Second, the slides need to open the same amount when the throttle lever
is released and the slides all rest on the idle stop screw.
I use a 3/16" drill bit (smooth end) to set the opening. Slip the
smooth end of the bit into the slide opening and adjust the idle screw until
the bit just slips in & out without raising the slide. Set all 3 the same.
Third, the idle air screw on the base of the carbs need to be set the
same. For a '98 XLT Touring they should be 1.0 turns out from lightly
seated, to start with.
When you start the sled up, the idle speed might be a little low using
the 3/16" drill bit... but it should be close.

Post by Bruce
I have a 98 XLT Touring that is just flat off idle. It barely has enough
power to get moving. Once going it's ok but still very slugish. Fuel
consumption stinks... 7-9 MPG cruising. It's stock, 34mm carbs not the
38's.
I think it's running rich, my mechanic checked the choke plungers which are
not stuck, raised the clips 1/2 notch (seemed to help a little), but still
even at idle it just seems flat even before hiting clutch engagement RPM.
Compression is good on all three cylinders.
Help, how do I wake this thing up???
Bruce

[Repairman54]

Fuel pump diaphragms leaking will make it run rich.
Triples are sensitive to clutching, see post on the guy with the bogging
500, I've had that issue on several old big block 600's in the past.
Carb sync is important too.
Sounds like binding clutches or weak springs IMO. Flat off idle means it's
not getting into it's power band right.
7-9 is all those old sleds get anyway.

Post by Bruce
I have a 98 XLT Touring that is just flat off idle. It barely has enough
power to get moving. Once going it's ok but still very slugish. Fuel
consumption stinks... 7-9 MPG cruising. It's stock, 34mm carbs not the
38's.
I think it's running rich, my mechanic checked the choke plungers which are
not stuck, raised the clips 1/2 notch (seemed to help a little), but still
even at idle it just seems flat even before hiting clutch engagement RPM.
Compression is good on all three cylinders.
Help, how do I wake this thing up???
Bruce