Need Help!!!!

Hey guys!

So I finally was able to pick up my bike after a week long wait. I decided to have it hauled to a friends dads for some mechanic work. Bike didn't seem to be safe to ride due to tire rot and needing a tune up. Had a truck brought out to load the bike. My buddy and I lifted the bike into the truck bed with no damn ramps just lifting >:[ (poor planning lol)
We lifted it in to the truck, tied it up securely and brought it to his his home. We unloaded the bike and I backed it into his garage. I wanted to start it to show my buddies dad how it purred. I turn the bike on and the engine just revs its heart out. I quickly killed the engine and tried restarting it. Same result. The throttle seems stuck! I don't know why that is. My buddies dad didn't have time to get to it tonight and probably wont for the next week.
But im very eager to know what could be the cause! It didn't do this before the loadinf and unloading. It was started momentarily right before I rolled it out front to the truck for loading just to make sure it still started before I paid the money for the bike.

A little information on the bike:
1986 XJ700 with 3xxx miles, been sitting most of its life, was taken out for a ride every so often to keep fluids moving, stabilizer kept in the bike consistently, stored in garage its whole life except for the last few months. Started up when I first examined it. Started up and idled perfectly on pre-purchase examination and than started up and idled perfectly right before loading. After unloading is when the issue startes!

 

Did you check to see if the choke was on or not? Check to make sure the throttle cable isn't sticking or didn't get jambed at the carbs.

 

I recon you have upset something while loading it. Hooked up the throttle cable on something, maybe, would not worry to much till you get the tank off and start checking things out. Once putting my bike back together after a head gasket job I routed the throttle cable wrong and it would rev like crazy when you turned the forks left. Scared the sh&t out me on the test run.

 

I bet. I won't know until my buddies dad gets down and dirty with it. Just trying to get some ideas because im impatient and worried and eager to ride her for the first time!
Thanks for the response? Any other ideas guy

 

If you used Handlebar Tie-downs ... The Tie-downs might have;

a) Moved the Throttle Control out-of-position placing a strain on the Throttle Cable.

b) Displaced the Throttle Cable.

• Tightened the Cable itself.
• Moved the 90-Degree Bend exiting the Control which remained out of position.

 

I would check and make sure the choke releases.

If you pulled the choke cable sheath it might have slid up in it's clamp preventing the enrichment valves from closing.

 

We didnt tie down the handle bars down. We lifted the bike up on to the truck, we tied through the wheels and on the back we did it through the loop on the back of the seat. Possibly on the front it might have been tied through the forks as well I cant remember as I didn't tie the front. We also, wedged a tire between the side of the truxk and the bike to prevent it from leaning into the side or falling. After we lifted the bike on to the truck I locked the steering. Unlocked the steering to take It off.

Im going to suggest all these things to my guy and have him look. Any other ideas?

Thanks for all the help and advice guys!

 

Advice?
Get the bike and get "down and dirty" on it yourself.
Waiting on people sucks.
Do it yourself.
Learn a thing or two and you'll feel better about the whole experience.
Get it home
Check the choke and see if its on
Check the throttle to see if its stuck open, or the 90 degree angle is twisted.
Follow the cable down for thorough inspection
Remove the tank if you have to. Very easy. 2 hoses and a 12mm bolt.
Look at the throttle housing on the carb. Also check the choke cable and retainer, make sure those plungers are fully seating.

Dude.. You only need 2 tie downs, 3 at most. One on the left, and one on the right handlebars. NOT RATCHET STRAPS. They'll POP when unloading and cause a very predictable topple.

Be smart
Use this website
Do it Yourself

-Chris

 

My guess is that in lifting the bike you put tension on the throttle cable and it was pulled out of the bracket where it connects. or seats, to the carbs, It may be resting on the bracket which has the effect of opening the throttle. Happened to me once when re-installing the carbs.

 

Hey man just pmd you back. Lets get you a service manual so you can pick this up. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing the ins and outs of your bike. Not to mention being able to fix it side of the road if need be.

My mechanical ability was limited to changing spare tires till these guys got a hold of me.

 

Im a visual learner. I have to be there with someone and do things with them or under the watching instructions of someone who knows what to do aswell as I have no space to work on the bike or tools. My buddies dad is going to teach me as we go, has a space for the bike and all the tools my beauty ever needs!

So allow me to correct, hes not ready for us to get down and dirty just yet (he has a few more days of repair on a his bike truck and boat)

@Slkid we just used basic rope lol and had my friend sit onnthe bike as we tied her down. Are niether of those suggested for hauling?

@ryancdossey hope we can link up and work on our bikes and ride soon!


Thanks to everyone for your advice and support!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlVC-pfbC0
In that video he does one thing that I would not do, and leaves out one thing that I always do.

I would never power a bike up a ramp. One misstep and there will be big trouble.

I always tie the back of the motorcycle down; either by looping a long strap around the top of the rear tire, or by using two straps on something that is solidly mounted to the frame (passenger pegs, grab bar) if not the frame itself. The rear can bounce around, and if not secured it can move enough to cause the bike to fall.

 

Bullhockey.

Human beings have the ability to learn in many different ways, we're just more attuned to certain styes. You can be a strong visual learner, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from reading (like you do on boards or with manuals). The only limitation to learning is if you limit yourself.

If you're going to forsake a manual and only do things you've watched people do, you're setting yourself up for a major fail.

Learn both ways. Get the tools (re books and wrenching equipment) to learn, and watch someone else when you can. Or buy a newer bike you won't have to work on.

 

i agree with Kilted.... you can learn many different ways, saying you are "a visual learner" just limits yourself. Seriously, if you can clean a HSC33 carb, you can clean a HSC32, a Mikuni, a lawnmower carb, a chainsaw carb... all by applying the learned knowledge

Besides, there are many things that a manual has that you need to reference: fluid capacaties, wiring diagrams, torque specs, disassembly/assembly order (doing otherwise can make it harder or cause damage)... those are things that you can't rely on memory for.

 

Torque specs. Oh my god, torque specs. If I didn't have a manual I'd have burned out the engine by now!

 

Correct, it is important to read the manuals. And I have been reading so much. But im not comfortable with doing this alone for the first time. Any error could cause massive problems doing 60 down the highway!

 

Correct, it is important to read the manuals. And I have been reading so much. But im not comfortable with doing this alone for the first time. Any error could cause massive problems doing 60 down the highway!

 

You are wise to be on the look-out for your own safety.

However there is a fine line between being cautious and being paranoid.

Sit in front of a mirror and repeat after me:
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog-gone it people like me".

I have only been into motorcycles for 4 years and like you and all of the others here - safety is taken very seriously. When doing work on the bike be methodical and patient (digital cameras ARE a tool). When the patience gets replaced with sailor talk (yes that will happen) step away from it and ask for guidance here.

There are many brilliant and willingly helpful people here - you can do this!

 

Im going to take it small. Im going to have this tune up done under my buddies dads careful eye. Smaller repairs I will consult you great guys on here and work my way up on the repair food chain.

As for the problem, found out the choke got played with on lifting the bike on and off the bike, so now the issue is resolved!

 

THAT issue is resolved.

You have nearly 30 years' worth of neglected maintenance to catch up on before this bike will be truly safe and reliable.

START by pulling the rear wheel and visually inspecting the rear brake shoes; here's why this is absolutely critical: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

Get a service manual. (Your buddy's dad will need it.) Then start in the "Maintenance" section, and go through every single procedure. EVERY ONE, don't skip over any or leave anything out.

Along the way, you clean, inspect, repair, refurbish or replace any part that is worn out, cracked, dried, broken or otherwise unserviceable.

This process does take a while. When you're done, you'll have a reliable and safe motorcycle.

Or you can try to "game" the process and take shortcuts or skip over things that seem too complicated or "difficult." This won't work and will just frustrate you to no end.

Along the way you will gain the mechanical skills necessary to successfully maintain a bike that no shop will touch.

Oh, and plan on spending between $600 ~ $800 before it's all done. For mostly parts and some tools; that figure assumes you'll be doing the labor.

 

Appreciate the help fellas =)

 

Stumplifter channels Stuart Smalley, nice!

 

Appreciate the help fellas =)