Project "get her running!"

Hey guys, I've picked up my first West-Coast bike, and it's coincidentally the first bike that I realistically plan to get on the road. My last was a salvage 1993 GSXR-600w that ended with being sold because Massachusetts' RMV (like the DMV) is willfully retarded. Poor thing barely got out on the street, and only to go up and down my road (so I could make sure it ran, of course).

Anyway, this project is kind of a big one but without any kind of lofty goals. I have a 1982 Yamaha XJ650 that won't turn over. The battery is cranking strong, the petcock is flowing happily into the carbs on prime, but it acts like it just isn't receiving fuel (starter fluid in the carbs fires it right up... then it dies), so I'm going to start with a carb rebuild. Get the gunk and sediment out and go through a can of carb cleaner. If I get the chance, I'll replace the fuel that's in the gas tank as well.

Check out the pictures I've taken thus far(by clicking this image), and offer up whatever advice you have!. I'll be documenting the step-by-step.


I just finished cleaning the carbs (it took me awhile to post this), and I'm headed out to see if she runs now. Wish me luck!

 

Bad news, doesn't run. Could it be that it has something to do with the spark? Anybody know of a good way to test for spark?

The fuel filter is exposed, and there's definitely fuel going to the carbs. I cleaned the jets with carb cleaner even though there were no obstructions in the carbs at all (they were pretty clean throughout). The battery is charged, and cranks strong, but it just won't catch. It's like it's not even trying to turn. Suggestions?

 

Mine was kind of the same deal where it wouldn't run when I first got it. I did what you did as far as cleaning the carbs. I also changed out the fuel and added a fresh battery. I've heard that these bikes don't like to start with even a slightly weak battery. Maybe try running some jumper cables to see if that's the issue.

Also, did you pull the plugs? Maybe they're badly foulded. Try holding one on the engine case and cranking the starter to see if you're getting a spark.

Also, get some starter fluid at the local auto parts store and try spraying that into the carb intakes. That actually allowed me to fire the engine a bit before cleaning the carbs to verify that I had a viable bike.

 

Whoops. I just noticed you did the starter fluid trick. Sounds like you have a spark then.

I assume the choke is on full?

 

I had to adjust the cable stay to get it that way, but yes, choke is on full. I'm going to try starter fluid again, make sure it's even trying to go.

As for the plugs, exactly what plugs are supposed to go on this bike? These appear to be 21mm or possible even SAE, not the standard 5/8. I'll grab the NGK number off the ones in there, and see if they're just wrong all-around.

 

NGK BP7ES

and starter fluid is NOT starting it now. No happy burbling coming from this motor.

 

If it fires with starter fluid then you still have a fuel problem (obviously).

Did you dump the old fuel in the tank? Bikes don't like old fuel.

Good luck.

 

http://www.gear4bikes.com/acatalog/Yama ... lugs1.html
says I should have BP7ES plugs, so I guess they must be right.

 

Its NGK BP7ES

http://www.ngk.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=3832

 

Tank is super easy to empty if you have some spare fuel tubing around. Just put petcock on prime (pri) and it will flow until empty. Use the tube to connect to the petcock and run down to an empty container.

 

Welcome aboard. There is a decent chance your plugs are fuel fouled.

I'd pull them, give the tip of each plug a quick blast of starting fluid. You want to spray it straight in so the insulator gets hit. Turn it electrode down to let the excess fluid run out then put it back in. That trick has worked for me.

Alternatively, try new plugs.

 

It took me awhile just to wiggle the plugs out (I didn't have a 20mm deep socket lying around; who on earth decided 20mm was a good idea!) with a needle-nose set of pliers, but it happened. They're pretty dirty, so I just finished cleaning them with a brillo pad and starter fluid. One definitely needs to be gapped, but the other three are almost dead-on (quick bend with my knife fixed them). I'll re-gap them, quirt some starter fluid into 'em, put 'em back in, and cross my fingers. With those crossed fingers, I'll press the starter. We'll see what we get.

 

Heres an idea for a shopping list:
-
-
-
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Eggs
Milk
Vegtables
Cereal
Pop Tarts
New Spark Plugs
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-
-
Wait a minute here, thats MY shopping list!!

 

mmmm, I wish that were an option. However, I honestly can't afford the $8 right now (downpayment on new apartment was higher than expected so I'm flat broke this week, living off leftovers). Old plugs will have to do. Charging the battery again now to ensure that I'm getting as strong a start as I think I am.

 

Good luck to ya.

Leave those plugs on the "list" for next time.
If thats the only option clean them up and crank HER up.
We can start troubleshooting from there.

A little love and you will be living your dream.
Riding a Running Street Legal Machine!

May luck be with ya

 

Tested spark, and each cylinder was putting out a strong spark against the engine casing. The problem is that some people in San Francisco have a fetish for spark plugs. I came outside the other day, and one of my plugs was gone. Just up and disappeared. I'll have it in my garage (just started renting a house OUTSIDE san fran that has a garage) from tomorrow on, and hopefully fresh gas is all it'll require to get started. Once it's started, rooting out problems and sputtering is as simple as carb adjustment. Wish me luck!

 

I had the same ilk attack my Intercepter Pariah. They kicked it over. Another bunch of hulligans switched up my spark plug wires on my XJ (they had to really try to pull that one off). Consider this fair warning of the trials of city life in the Bay area.

 

People that touch others' motorcycles should have their hands chopped off!

 

While I agree wholeheartedly, I lack the machete and the offending pair of hands. In the meantime, here's what I do have:

1 - I have spark on all 4 brandy-new plugs
2 - I have compression in all 4 cylinders
3 - The battery is charged (confirmed with multimeter)
4 - Fuel is fresh (2 gallons)
5 - Starter cranks
6 - I cleaned the carbs (including all jets and float bowl area) with carb cleaner
7 - Starter fluid doesn't make her purr (a little squirt directly into each carb, then put the air filters back on)

I'm not sure what I've missed, or if the carbs are just that far out of whack (the bike ran 2 months ago before it was parked) but that's everything I could come up with.

 

Lift the seat and spray some Starting Fluid (not a lot) into the Rubber Airbox Intake Port and try firing it up again.
If it will fire on the Starting Fluid ... and, I expect it will ... you have to do some Carb Cleaning and Tuning.

Fuel - Spark - Air
Those are the three things needed for ignition.
Your Post says you have Spark and its strong Spark.
Let's try adding the "Fuel" element and see if that's not what that Bike needs.
Try the Starting Fluid or some Propane from an un-lighted Propane Torch.
Shoot some Fliud or direct the Gas from the Torch right into the Airbox and give it a try.

If the Bike fires on the external source of Fuel ... you'll have to make the Corrective Measures necessary to have your Carbs be the Supply.

If you have been a season or two without a thorough Cleaning of the Carbs... that's what I would recommend.

 

Starter fluid didn't do it, as I mentioned in part 7 of my last response. It still cranks, but doesn't turn over.

I rebuilt the carbs, but not to eat-off-them standards. Just enough that I'd put my food down on them temporarily.

 

One of two possibilities come to mind.

1. Weak spark that won't fire under compression, or
2. Way too much fuel getting delivered which immediately floods the engine.

I would say a tailpipe-sniff-while-cranking-the-engine may be in order. If the pipes wreak of fuel, I'd look at number two. If they don't, then number one. Once you settle on which one you think it is, pull the plugs and see if they're wet or not. Number one should have a fairly dry plug; number two will be almost dripping wet. Number one would be an ignition problem; number two would be a fuel problem.

(P.S. If you think it's Number 1, start by checking your grounds. Battery to engine case and engine case to chassis. They should be clean and tight.)

 

I don't have a ton of bike experience, but... This sounds a lot like a problem my friend had with his XS1100. Good spark and fuel. It turned out that one of his inlet stubs (between carbs and head) was loose. Vacuum was lost as air bypassed that carb. So check your inlet stubs for cracks, loose bolts, missing gaskets, etc.

 

One question,

Have you checked the exhaust system. I used to ride around my grandfathers farm on an old DT175. (It was alot of fun) One holiday when I went out again for the life of me I couldnt get the old girl started. I remember neally breaking my leg off on the kick start,

Anway...

What happened is the old 175 sat in an old shed on the farm and (what we call here in australia) a swam of mud wasps had mad a dirty big nest in the exhaust pipe.

After cleaning out the exhaust pipe it started first kick.

I only metion this because you state that it has been sitting for some time and the same thing could accour to you.


Andrew

 

Excellent suggestion! Lots of critters might like to make a home in there.

Last month we had a nice day and I decided to pull the Maxim out of the shed. Had a heck of a time dragging it backwards. Turns out walnuts make surprisingly good wheel chocks. Squirrels stuff the things everywhere.