SUCCESS! Well, for the most part, still won't stay running

Well, after months of tinkering and fretting, I finally got some VROOM last night.

I ran into a situation where I couldn't get the bike to start, no matter what I tried. I eliminated fuel and spark as culprits, and decided to adjust the valves. My bike needed 20 new valve shims. Got those in last week, put the cams and timing chain back on, and reassembled my bike. Last night I refilled the radiator and put on a new (as in different, but better condition than my last) set of carbs. I rolled it out of the garage, said a prayer, and turned it over. No start. BUT, it did start when I sprayed starting fluid into the airbox! That is something it hadn't done before. So, since it started right up with fluid, I'm assuming it has good spark and at least decent compression. Now, I just have a fuel issue to resolve. That is something I can deal with!

So, did I check the new carbs before sticking them on there? Nope. That would have been the smart thing to do. Being more eager than wise, I didn't bother. So, here's what the bike did...

It started and would run with the enrichment lever all the way over (on) and with the throttle slightly engaged. Add more throttle, and it would die. Let go of the throttle, and it would die. Cut the enrichment lever, and it would die. So, seems to me like it isn't liking the air/fuel mix.

Tomorrow I'll pull the carbs and clean them. I'll also make sure the enrichment circuit is clean and that the pistons "clunk." There is one thing that may be an issue, and I hadn't thought of it. The PO had the carbs mounted on a bike without a stock air box. He mentioned that they had been re-jetted for a PVC manifold with two pod filters. But, he said that the jetting should be the same as for a K&N air filter, which is what I have. So, I didn't think much about it.

So, I'll check the jetting for the K&N filter, and make sure all my jets are correct. Then, I'll check/adjust the fuel levels in the float bowls and bench synch the butterflies.

Anything else I ought to do?

Can I just tell you how stoked I am to get it to start again, even if it was only for brief moments!

 

Re: SUCCESS! Well, for the most part, still won't stay runn

ah, yes danielson...always clean carbs before install, always.

clean those carbs and I think you'll be on your way. Why didn't you use the carbs that came with the bike? btw, I wouldn't touch any adjustments until they are on the bike. After it is running, sync those suckers up, and do your clunk test...make sure those pilot jets are clear too

 

Re: SUCCESS! Well, for the most part, still won't stay runn

ah, yes danielson...always clean carbs before install, always.

clean those carbs and I think you'll be on your way. Why didn't you use the carbs that came with the bike? btw, I wouldn't touch any adjustments until they are on the bike. After it is running, sync those suckers up, and do your clunk test...make sure those pilot jets are clear too

 

Well, the new carbs are in much better condition. And, I'm "motivated" to recover some of the $$$ I've spent at this point. So, I sold the old carbs.

Anyway, will be cleaning tomorrow. Looking forward to my first ride!

 

Re: SUCCESS! Well, for the most part, still won't stay runn

While the carbs are off and when they are clean - mount them level in a Shopmate and check the float levels; do a "bench sync" of the throttle plates. Both much easier to do off the bike than on. Also add an in-line fuel filter before reinstall.

 

Thanks zap. Already has a fuel filter, and the bench synching and float bowl levels will be done as you suggest. I'm not a pro, yet. But this will be my fourth experience with carbs. At some point, I'm going to get it right! LOL