How to Adjust the Idle in a 2002 Harley Fat Boy

You can manually adjust the idle on your Harley Fat Boy.

The 2002 Harley-Division Fat Boy uses a Keihin CV carburetor, one of the last motorcycles to have a carbureted engine. The motorcycles built after 2002 utilize fuel injection. This means you can still manually adjust the idle on your Fat Boy by adjusting the idle screw. This gives you the ability to tailor the idle to your environment. You should adjust the idle on warm days during the spring and summer, and on cold days during the fall and winter.

Things You'll Need

• Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Locate the idler screw directly under the large round bore to which your air cleaner is secured. Do not remove the air cleaner while you adjust the idle, as doing so will negatively affect the outcome.

2. Turn the bike on and ride it until the bike reaches normal operating temperatures. A 10-minute bike ride will suffice.

3. Turn the idler screw clockwise with a screwdriver if the bike idles too high. You will hear the engine slow down. Continue to turn the screw until the rpm gauge goes down to 900 rpm.

4. Turn the idler screw counterclockwise with a screwdriver if the bike idles too low and it wants to stall out. You will hear the engine speed up. Continue to turn the screw until the rpm gauge goes up to 900 rpm.

References

• John's Cycle Parts: Keihin CV Carb

Resources

• Performance Indian: CV History