Carbs cleaned, how to start up again?

[exzachtly1]

Is the vacuum line hooked up from the petcock to the carbs?

Regarding the main idle screw, the tutorial that I used said two turn in after it makes contact with the plate. It says be ready, the rpm's may skyrocket, so you may have to back it out right away...but with full choke on, it will race up anyways.

Other than the vacuum like, not sure. crack your carb bowl drain screws abd see if they have fuel in them yet. If no, you have a seriously kinked fuel line or some fuel delivery issue.

The float drains are the first thing I'm gonna check tomorrow. I suspect that I may have issues with the fuel cock... it is very hard to turn between on / prime / reserve. Maybe it is gunked up?

[loud et]

I added the one thing you forgot on your list

Quote: Just a little background on what exactly I've done between when it last ran and now:

• Tore down carbs per the instructions on bikecliff's site
• Used carb dip
• Checked / cleaned all jets. Replaced pilot jets that were stripped from PO.
• Confirmed all jets were stock sizes
• Replaced all o-rings with kit from cycleorings.com
• New float bowl gaskets
• New pilot jet plugs
• Checked float height with calipers
• Bench synced
• Mixture screws set to 2.5 turns out from seated
• Replaced intake boot o-rings
• Reassembled with stainless steel fasteners
• HAD STEVE COME OVER AND HELP

just a little razz for ya Zack....I know you are learning a lot with this bike and doing a good job too. hang in there, you are getting closer every day!

[exzachtly1]

I added the one thing you forgot on your list

Quote: Just a little background on what exactly I've done between when it last ran and now:

• Tore down carbs per the instructions on bikecliff's site
• Used carb dip
• Checked / cleaned all jets. Replaced pilot jets that were stripped from PO.
• Confirmed all jets were stock sizes
• Replaced all o-rings with kit from cycleorings.com
• New float bowl gaskets
• New pilot jet plugs
• Checked float height with calipers
• Bench synced
• Mixture screws set to 2.5 turns out from seated
• Replaced intake boot o-rings
• Reassembled with stainless steel fasteners
• HAD STEVE COME OVER AND HELP

just a little razz for ya Zack....I know you are learning a lot with this bike and doing a good job too. hang in there, you are getting closer every day!

Haha thanks man. I WISH I'd had the bike put together and been at home when Steve stopped over

It's just been such a hectic week between work, MSF and these blasted carbs! I'm tired!

[loud et]

The float drains are the first thing I'm gonna check tomorrow. I suspect that I may have issues with the fuel cock... it is very hard to turn between on / prime / reserve. Maybe it is gunked up?

oh hell yeah it could be gunked up. messed up petcocks are on the top 5 list of gs issues/neglected maintenance problems. it shouls be removed from the tank and inspected/cleaned. at least you need to see if gas flows from it freely while hooked up to the tank. If its a vacuum operated petcock like all mine are, you just suck on the small line and fuel should flow easily out of the larger diameter line. once you stop sucking(producing vacuum) the fuel should stop flowing within a couple seconds.

[exzachtly1]

Oh no you mean I have to disconnect that thing again

I found it nearly impossible to connect the fuel line to the carburetor when they were on the bike. Please dont make me disconnect that again haha. Maybe I can disconnect it from the tank end

[loud et]

Oh no you mean I have to disconnect that thing again

I found it nearly impossible to connect the fuel line to the carburetor when they were on the bike. Please dont make me disconnect that again haha. Maybe I can disconnect it from the tank end

yeah, its a pain. use some needlenose pliars to get it in, and raise the rear of the gas tank up and put something under it to hold it up out of your way some. been there done that too about a dozen million times it seems.

[robertbarr]

Oh no you mean I have to disconnect that thing again

I found it nearly impossible to connect the fuel line to the carburetor when they were on the bike. Please dont make me disconnect that again haha. Maybe I can disconnect it from the tank end

Wow, no wonder you're reluctant to pull that. Put that line on the carbs while they're off the bike and you can get access. Once installed, just connect & disconnect the tank end. You'd need the patience of Job to get that line off the carbs while they're installed!

[exzachtly1]

Wow, no wonder you're reluctant to pull that. Put that line on the carbs while they're off the bike and you can get access. Once installed, just connect & disconnect the tank end. You'd need the patience of Job to get that line off the carbs while they're installed!

Haha yep, as soon as I put them on I realized what I had done. Ended up having to slide them back out to connect it the first time.

[tom203]

Make sure fuel reaches carbs; doublecheck plug wires are on correctly (left coil fires 1 and 4- right fires 2 and 3). Make sure choke is working at carb end (choke plunger bar moves 1/2 inch out). Remember no throttle input during "choking". If no go after 30 seconds of cranking, pull spark plug to determine if fuel is there.

[koolaid_kid]

Next time you have the carbs out, put a zip tie on the bottom. Nothing worse than pulling the line off the carb when you are trying to remove the line from the petcock.

[Steve]

I added the one thing you forgot on your list

HAD STEVE COME OVER AND HELP

Hey, I offered several times, never got the official "Okie dokie".

I was going to stop by and help for a bit on my way home from upstate NY, but Zach said he was doing his MSF class that day. That will trump a visit from me ANY day.

I couldn't sleep Friday night, got up early Saturday morning and started driving home. Went past his house about 1330 and left a couple of mixture screws for him.

Oh no you mean I have to disconnect that thing again

I found it nearly impossible to connect the fuel line to the carburetor when they were on the bike. Please dont make me disconnect that again haha. Maybe I can disconnect it from the tank end

You SHOULD disconnect from the tank end, for the fuel AND the vacuum.

If you are using correctly-sized OEM lines, it's easy, and you don't need any clamps to hold the tubes in place.

... doublecheck plug wires are on correctly (left coil fires 1 and 4- right fires 2 and 3). ...

Unless a previous owner has swapped the coil locations and the left one fires 2 and 3.

Yeah, he swapped all the wiring, too, so everything worked OK, just that the coils were in opposite positions.

.

[Staninator]

I know this is random but are your spark plugs dry? Throw some fuel into each cylinder and put the plugs back in then start her up!

For the battery, just use jumper cables and connect you battery to your vehicles battery. Just don't start your vehicle... Only the connection is needed.

[exzachtly1]

Wow lots of good recommendations. I'm completely exhausted from MSF weekend and a slight mishap with the car this morning that almost made me late!!! So I didn't really get to the bike today. I picked up a battery tender junior and its charging now; I'll check all this stuff tomorrow probably.

Just for kicks I gave it one more attempt. Battery had enough juice to crank the engine just a bit, and it gave an encouraging rumble from the muffler just as the battery went dead again. I think it may have started if the battery was charged this time. We'll see what happens tomorrow. I'll be sure to check how the plugs are connected too - I haven't changed the order of them but maybe they're not right.

In other news, I now have my endorsement from my MSF course and will be able to get the M on my license later this week. Woohoo!

I'll post back here tomorrow after I have time to fiddle around with a fresh battery.

[chuck hahn]

Jump it with a car battery but DO NOT have the car running while jumping it off.

[Staninator]

Jump it with a car battery but DO NOT have the car running while jumping it off.

What he said.