Got it running, but with issues.

Most recently valves have been checked and shimmed to the proper clearance. Carbs cleaned and slides clunk like a dream. Two or three weeks ago I got it started but it puked gas out the breather. Fiddled with the float levels and adjusted the mixture screws to 1 1/2 turns out. Got it started again but here are my problems:

Screaming noise coming from plate behind shift lever. If I remember correctly, thats where the alternator is?

Goose honking noise sometimes when trying to start.

Only runs with choke, dies when choke is turned off.

Also bogs down and dies when I give it some throttle.

I am at a loss and my patience is almost gone with this bike. It's been 2 years of off and on running with various issues. Any help is appreciated as always.

 

!.5 turns is probably too lean - go to 2.5 as a starting point. That should help #3 and #4.

Right behind the shifter is the transmission and middle gear. When riding the middle gear does whine but not sitting still. Generator is right above the shifter on most models.

Not sure about your goose can you provide more info?

 

hey bill,
I turned them to 2 turns out yesterday and was still having the problems. I can try 2 1/2.

the screaming noise from behind the shifter went away after it seemed like it was starting to warm up. I thought it was just from sitting and the oil needed to circulate. it has happened before.

The goose noise only happens when trying to start it when it doesnt want to turn over. I dont really know what else to say about it.

Also, plugs are dark and sooty across the board. Going by my Clymer manual the first thing it says is too rich but also a weak ignition system. I'm gonna charge the battery again before I try to start it again just to make sure thats not part of the problem.

 

Is the 550 fine thread or coarse (pilot screw)? I thought it was coarse. If so, the screw positions for starting mixture are different. Ask chacal.


Fonz - did you do a bench sync? Did you do a sync on the bike itself too?
Otherwise, messing with mixture isn't going to get you far at all.

HAHA! Bill, awesome. I am definitely quoting that in my sig!

As for the goose noise, you mention it does it when the starter won't turn over, could be the solenoid. Electrical relays and the like make very strange noises when they can't do their thing.

Sooty plugs, yes rich or even weak ignition (battery?)
Try running it with a battery charger hooked up.

Could also be from running with the choke too much because you can't get it running right yet.

Good luck.

 

not sure about fine or coarse thread. did a bench sync awhile back while but dont have the tools for a proper sync. a buddy of mine was gonna ask around about the manometers or whatever they are called with the mercury in them. i was thinking of taking the bike to a pro as a last resort.

 

"puked gas out of the breather..." concerns me. The breather draws from the crankcase. Be sure you didn't have a stuck float/petcock issue that filled your crankcase with gas and diluted your oil. You don't want to run the engine if it did.

 

Question about your plugs. Have you only run at idle +- with the choke on?

If so soot is normal. Choke is actually an enrichment circuit which is why I went with too lean. Could be your sync for sure. Search for 2 bottle sync rig or get a vacuum guage Rick posted great instructions. Very easy to do and not expensive.

A pro is just gonna coast you a fortune - you can do it yourself and learn a bunch. Besides a sync is something you should do every year might as well learn.

dpawl - Finally! someone who gets my humor

 

fitz: i changed the oil after it puked out the breather. I dont want that gas/oil mix pumping through and ruining whatever chances I have. The floats move freely. I will double check the petcock but fuel flows fine as far as I can tell.
Bill: It has only been run at idle, or trying to warm up and get to idle. But yes, all the while with the choke on. I will look into the sync methods. And I got the humor with the goose comment. Just trying not to be on here too much while I was at work. It really does sound like a pissed off goose when it makes the noise.

Thanks everybody for the help.

 

You might set the "goose" free by pulling the starter, clean and lube, and put it back to work. The same for the starter clutch but you will have a great deal more work to do to get at it. Best bet is to run some Marvel Mystery oil or Seafoam in the crankcase just before you drain it for an oil change. The rollers/sprags in the clutch could be in need of a good cleaning.

 

Robert is right. I had starter problems when I first got my Maxim-X, "goose" sounds and everything, to the point where it wouldn't turn at all. I opened it up, found an incredible amount of gunk, cleaned it, popped it back in and it worked like a charm.

Also, I'm having idling issues on it as well, and it is definitely looking like an electrical problem. I checked my voltage across the battery at 1000rpm and 5000rpm and got 11.5 volts and 12.5 volts respectively. If possible, measure whatever voltages you can and check your alternator and regulator/rectifier as well. There was a link around here somewhere to an awesome charging system troubleshooting document that I can't seem to find