Bike wont start!

I just bought an 83 maxim 550. Was running great. Then I tried to start it and it ran for a second and then stalled. If i tried to start it it would just turn over and not start. But if i left it for alone for awhile I could start it up. Once it was started it would run fine. But this morning tried to start it it revved up then stalled. I waited but it would not start. Checked the plugs and they are dry. And they spark. What should I do?

 

I just finished cleaning the carbs and still the same deal. It will catch for a second then stall. Plugs are black and dry. Tried cleaning them same deal. Any ideas?

 

black plugs means running rich. letting it sit then it starts sounds like it's flooding.

cleaning the carbs and no change means either they're not the culprit, or you missed something when you cleaned them.

since you say it used to run good, then out of the blue this started happening - have you messed with *anything* else on the bike?

my guess is that something is up with your choke/enrichment cable - maybe the cable is routed differently (have you had the tank off for something else in the mean time?) causing the enrichment circuit to be a little bit open all the time.

either that or you have a dirty air filter.

could be float heights, but since you said it used to run good, but now doesn't i don't think that's it.

 

Have you checked to make sure it has enough gas?

 

this makes me think that he ran it low and sucked something in.

ahard- did you clean the emulsion tubes and spray through the pilot passages?

 

I just did a bench synched the carbs and it started, but it was rough so i did the baby bottle vacume synch and now it runs like a dream. Keeping my fingers crossed. You guys rock!

 

I also just tweaked the air/fuel pilot screws tightened them a bit to lean it up a bit and it is starting much easier. IT will have to do until i get a colortune.

 

Just tweak them until the plugs read what you want them to. Colortune just gets you in the vicinity and you still have to fine tune from there. You are already in the vicinity, so why waste your money on the colortune?