Maxim won't RUn

I was riding on the freeway today, when my bike lost power (came and went) and finally, after pulling to the side of the freeway, it died. Couldn't get it to start, until I gave it all the choke, put the petcock on prime, and gave it some throttle....and would run bad....if I turned the choke down, the bike would die. Any ideas?

 

-- clogged inline fuel filter
-- if you dont have an inline fuel filter, perhaps a particle from the tank got into the carbs and blocked a jet.
-- dead fuse panel (replace with blade fueses)
-- caput alternator brushes
-- just plain out of gas

 

List continued:
--TCI
--Pickup coils
--Ignition coils

 

if the bike was running fine before, wouldn't that point to more of a fuel delivery / carb problem? Esp. considering that it would run on choke, but not otherwise. clogged pilot jet?

 

If you can get it to run bad using the "Choke" ... you've got something Clogged.
The Enrichment Circuit is a separate feed out of the Fuel Bowls. There isn't much Fuel in the Enrichment Circuit's supply.

That IT DID run with that additional supply lights-up a BIG Neon arrow pointing right at your Fuel Bowls.

Something you had in the tank is now in the Fuel Bowls clogging matters up.
If you have an Inline Fuel Filter ... look for that being Clogged and not supplying enough Fuel to reach the Jets.

If you don't have an Inline Fuel Filter ...
You will after you Pull the Carbs off and Clean-out the crap that made it to the Fuel Bowls ... huh???

 

First, make sure just plain out of gas isn't the answer.

Vacuum hose to fuel valve collapse?

 

Thanks ... Micarl

Wouldn't it be nice to have this one scrubbed-off the board by just being out of Gas.

That's an easy fix.

 

Well, checked and it had 1/2 tank gas. Dang, not the easy answer. So the next thing was to check the fuel filter; and Boy Howdy, I have never seen a filter so plugged in all my years (not that I have that many behimd me, but you get the picture!) New filter, and she runs like a champ.

Thanks for the help, folks. Now for the valve noise (see prior post by me). That is this weekends project.

 

cool...first thing I suggested!!

Anyway, glad to hear you got that worked out. Valve noise? I'll have to look for that post.

 

Remember:

Some noises are good noises. Valves shutting is a good noise. Out of specs clearances you have to deal with. But, if they are "Loose within specs" you are better off leaving them alone than making them tight.