I recently bought a '72 Sportster (having had two Sporty's in the 70's I couldn't resist!) This bike was parked in a garage for 20 yrs and was told it was running well when parked. I re-wired her, new plugs and wires, points, condenser, new battery, cleaned her up, etc. She's a kick start and had good compression. Has an S&S Carb. When she finally started (after kicking about 3 lbs off my ass) she was running wide open, loud and strong, but I shut her down to avoid any damage. Is this a carb issue? Don't rag me too much, it's been a few years.....

Mac 

Thanks for your input. Atleast I'm still thinking in the right direction. Didn't appear to be the cable. Guess it's time to take the carb off and do some exploratory surgury.....

The needle is prolly stuck mate..Pull the carby apart and free her up..CHEERS BOOF

Yep, any bike that set for that long deserves a good carb cleaning...

that would be the first place i would start I have a 69 ironhead that sat for 20 years too and i dident even mess with the old carb but got a new one

which S&S carb? If it is the B, you might be better off getting a newer carb.

it is a B....think I'll go back to the Bendyx.....thanks for everyone's replies!

I had a Super B on an '80 Iron. I loved that carb but alot of people don't...

if I can get it to play right....I may love it too! I just want the damn thing to work.....

does this bike have a choke? may be stuck wide open...

I agree with the points above. Remove the carb and do a rehab. Clean and inspect thoroughly (carb and linkages). After sitting that long, it's a must do.

Hey an S&S B with the atomizer is a kick ass carb as long as you're not running a full advance magneto! :-)