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Might be a valve not quite landing as it should (one guide was a wee spot looser than the others) or it could be something stupid in the ignition. Got to do some work on the house today (Mrs. melville's preview of that work), go to a VW gathering, and mow a gigantic lawn. On Sunday I should be able to pull the valve covers and the front cover for a look.

thats what I expected Valve trouble or Head trouble


a motor not gone through by now in Calif we have the worst fuel and valve recession is gona happen

a motor stored with used oil has acid from combustion

my heads were just gone though as my ALS stopped my rideing ability so I hope a seasoned knowing person takes the bike tools and parts lots of books to support the way

and my current build is as simple as it comes

My son wants the Harley and my wife wants the shop clean

Mel, What was it DOING when you noticed the new trouble? Noise or vibration or just what???

Jean wrote:Mel, What was it DOING when you noticed the new trouble? Noise or vibration or just what???

It was popping under load, and gradually refused to take a load. It ran great up the hill, but popped a few times. It deteriorated from there running back down the hill, and I took alternatives to the freeway to limp it home.

I've experienced similar behavior with VWs that have either burned a valve or have a bad connection in the low tension side of the ignition system. I'm hoping for the latter, but will check the valves first, as that's less work on a Airhead

A valve not seating would have made it hard to start. Here's hoping its electrical. But, of course, you won't be able to fix it with a hammer then. Its always sumpin.

melville wrote:

Jean wrote:Mel, What was it DOING when you noticed the new trouble? Noise or vibration or just what???

It was popping under load, and gradually refused to take a load. It ran great up the hill, but popped a few times. It deteriorated from there running back down the hill, and I took alternatives to the freeway to limp it home.

I've experienced similar behavior with VWs that have either burned a valve or have a bad connection in the low tension side of the ignition system. I'm hoping for the latter, but will check the valves first, as that's less work on a Airhead

When I had a chunk of fuel line in a main jet the symptoms were similar, except it struggled under load up hills and was better going down hills.

SteveD wrote:
When I had a chunk of fuel line in a main jet the symptoms were similar, except it struggled under load up hills and was better going down hills.

I'm not sure I've ever had an engine problem that wasn't more severe going uphill than downhill . . .

Okay, maybe backfiring.

Major Softie wrote:

SteveD wrote:
When I had a chunk of fuel line in a main jet the symptoms were similar, except it struggled under load up hills and was better going down hills.

I'm not sure I've ever had an engine problem that wasn't more severe going uphill than downhill . . .

Okay, maybe backfiring.

I wrote that as Melville had said his "ran great uphill"...contrasting result, but I was wondering if the cause might be similar? It'd be an easy fix if so.

Checked the valves first because it's so easy. Just fine, the intakes were the tiniest bit tight.

Fired it up and it started just fine. Got my timing strobe and found that idle timing was at TDC, not the factory approved spot.

Did the dance necessary to pull the front cover and found that the point gap had closed up--reset the point gap, reset the timing, fired it up and watched the timing marks again. It took a couple iterations, but now the timing and gap are right on.

Went for a ride and all is forgiven! Running smoother than ever now. Got a thumbs-up from some old guy on a Gold Wing passing me on 101.

Glad you've got it running again, any idea why the gap closed? Is your felt block intact and greased?