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Long Weekend Woes

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by Timetonut, Sep 4, 2007.

  1. Timetonut

    Timetonut Member

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    My family had friends over with their two toddlers so the bike has sat for 3 days. On day 2 I was given a house warming present of the stomach flu, and on day 4 (I have no idea where day 3 went) I went out to go to work and the bike let me know that I wasn't a friend this morning.

    When I started it with the choke it didn't sound loud as it normally does, but sounded low, rumbly and not like my normal 550. I let it run for a bit, but it did not imporve, but seemed to be shutting down cylinders while I sat on it. It sputtered and shut down. I then tried to get it to start with no avail. I am certain that it's flooded. My wife gave me a ride to work and I am still reeling (I assume from the flu) and am wondering what should be my line of attack to look at the plugs and stuff. If you have any advice, I would love to hear it, please know that being IN Philadelphia, I don't have a garage, just some sidewalk and that I only know what I have had to fix before...so the spark plugs etc, will be new to me.

    Thanks in advance,
    Timetonut
    j0~
     
  2. Gamuru

    Gamuru Guest

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    I'd say start with the basics: Air, Fuel, and Spark. You need all three to make an engine run. Lose but one and you're walking (or in your case, bummin' a ride from the misses).

    Checking for proper air flow is as simple as making sure the air box isn't plugged with a mouse's nest or the air filter isn't dirt-fouled.

    Fuel can be quickly checked by squirting a bit of starting fluid into the air intake of the air box. Give it a couple of quick snorts then hit the starter button. If it fires up then dies, you know you've got a fuel problem.

    Spark can be a little more tricky to check. I'd pop off the number four plug wire and, if you have an extra spark plug that's gapped properly, plug it in so that it's grounded to the head. Then, hit the starter button and watch for a spark to jump across the gap. No spark? You've got problems. You can do the same with a screwdriver, but you have to hold it close to, but not touching a grounded metal object on the bike. Care should be taken not to electrocute yourself, though. While it is funny to people watching you, you won't be particularly impressed. However, there is no mistaking the tingle of a good, hot coil using the "hands-on" approach!

    Let us know what you find...
     
  3. Timetonut

    Timetonut Member

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    Gamuru,

    If I am sitting on the bike, is the # four plug wire the last one on the right? I am seeing my blatant need for the cd set being talked about, but don't have it yet.

    Timetonut
    j0~
     
  4. Gamuru

    Gamuru Guest

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    Yep. You can check for spark on any of the cylinders. I just suggested number four as it is the closest to the starter button...

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Ease

    Ease Member

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    Be ready to hit the kill switch too, if you have spark and you lift off of the engine, the spark will ground on yer zipper - lol. (or otherwise just give you a pesky shock up the arm - done it a few times myself...).
     
  6. Timetonut

    Timetonut Member

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    So, I can't explain it beyond it being finicky. My bike is up and running again, I didn't do anything to it beyond letting it sit for a day and trying to start it after I got back from work the next day. Just sitting in the sun seems to make the engine block more co-operative to starting, and like an old lawn-mower that gets flooded, time helped too. My wife was dumbfounded, but I have had past bikes "heal" themselves occasionally too.

    Since I don't want my education on bike engines also leave me walking on the days that I mess up, I am going to have my newest friend James have a look at it. He is a real Yamaha mechanic at a shop, so I am wondering what I should be asking him to do. My hope for the year is to ride my bike all winter in Philly (and the other seasons too) aside from the 5-12 snow days we only seem to get here.

    What would be the top 5 things to get a bike ready for better running, and able to start in cold weather?

    Timetonut
    j0~
     
  7. kontiki

    kontiki Member

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    Plugs and carbuerators basically. If the plugs are good and the carbuerators are clean and functioning properly and the air filter is clean and there are no vacuum leaks the bike should run well.

    To get it running perfect you need to adjust the valves and balance the carbs.
     
  8. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    If you live in a Big City, or have to leave your bike unattended for any length of time ... you are likely to get messed with at some point in time.

    I had my Virago kicked-over a few times in Boston. I sacrificed a Badge or two to snatchers.

    You have to pre-flight every time you ride. Somebody might let your air out or just unseat a plug wire to mess with your head.
     
  9. PghXJ

    PghXJ Member

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    Yeah, that is what I was thinking happened. Since it is on the sidewalk, someone may have messed with it.
     
  10. Timetonut

    Timetonut Member

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    I know that I unseated a plug myself, when I was checking to see if they were all connected, and of course that didn't help matters at all. I usually have it covered as that discourages my neighbors from sitting on it and playing "motorcycle."

    I have new issue that I didn't find in the archives though. I bought the bike EVEN THOUGH it didn't have a tach cable. I thought I could do that one on my own. The fun thing is that with the new cable on the bike, when I turn the forks hard to the right the cable gets a little pinched and the tach needle jumps all the way up to the top past 12. The back of the tach is a little loose, but I want to know if this is typical, unusual, or a sure sign that I will need to get a new tach to attach to my new tach cable? I did find how to replace the lights for the console, so I will be in there soon enough when I get the bulb.
     
  11. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    The bearing on the back of the instrument dries out.

    You may have to open the Instrument and put a drop of light oil on the Brass bearing-bushing.
     
  12. Gearhead76

    Gearhead76 Member

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    Are you sure you just weren't out of fuel in the carbs, May have evaporated from sitting, and if you didn't turn it to prime might not have had the fuel to run on. just a thought.
     
  13. phillyturbo

    phillyturbo Member

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    Timetonut
    where in philly r u. Im in the NE maybe if youre still havin problems we could get u goin,
     
  14. geebake

    geebake Member

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    I'm with PhillyTurbo. If you're in the Philly area, we can probably get you going.

    Greg
     
  15. Timetonut

    Timetonut Member

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    I'm on 1500 South 15th Street. Each morning I happily go out, switch over to prime for the count of six (not sure why I chose 6. Probably from the first Batman movie and that Reporter that worked with Vicky Vale saying, "Six, yeah six is good.") and it fires up and I have to let it warm for longer than I want too, and then away I go. My commute is only around 20 blocks, so on the really bad days I can beg the ride or walk.

    Recently I have noticed that I have two rust holes in my exhaust pipes. I think that may also be why the engine kind of gurgles in the beginning. After about 15 min of riding, it runs like a champ. Then once I hit an hour of city mess, it starts reving too high. I am thinking THAT is God's way of reminding me that I have a family to go spend quality time with and that losing track of my real life while I drive circles around Philly isn't my best choice. Thanks for the offers. We should share ideas for our best rides around here are.

    Jonathan
     

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