all 4 plugs fouled; ideas please

[trispeed]

thanks, I will examine all those elements, though remember the bike was running fine, degraded over a couple tanks worth of riding and now won't even start at all. The compression is good, the factory spec is 125- 185 meaning that anywhere in there is fine, as long as the variance between cylinders is less than 25.
How could all 4 carbs develop the same exact symptoms all by themselves?
That pretty much rules out float level, needles, seats, etc. It seems so incredibly unlikely that they would all go bad at the same exact time??

[BadBillyB]

I was looking if anybody knew why the coil lead wouldn't be the same voltage as the battery. I'd measure my own bike, but I'm too lazy to take the seat and tank off. It would be a good piece of info to have.

Resistance + resistance+ old wiring + resistance + old switch connections + dirty fuse connections = Total Voltage drop in the ignition circuit...Good luck getting it down below 1 volt drop with stock wiring........I tried......BadBillyB

[mcconnell]

I had exactly the same thing happen once, due entirely to my cleaning and reoiling the K&N. Didn't go a mile before the engine would barely run. It is very easy to over-oil it. When you do, it chokes off the air flow, richens up the mixture, and fouls the plugs. When oiling the K&N (which I won't use anymore, went back to stock), put on a very light coating of oil and let it migrate its way around to cover the filter. This doesn't explain the fouling plugs with the air cleaner removed; it just relates my experience when I accidently, and unknowingly, over-oiled the K&N.

[trispeed]

I actually have raw fuel dripping out of the airbox, now. Only when I've been cranking the starter for a bit. Not at all when just sitting, so i know the petcock works. I've had the tank off a dozen times with no leaking.
Would a float level/ valve seat issue cause this and if so;would it foul all 4 plugs?
This is really puzzling. I can see how many elements would cause an individual cylinder problem, but all four???
thanks for the help.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Taking into consideration all the things that you say are checked/OK, then the fact that it got worse and worse over a short time, it's a float level problem or a weak/faulty ignition problem.
Many PO's put in new plugs and this can help for a short time so they can sell the bike. The rich condition or weak ignition soon allows the plugs to foul again over a short time. In the case of weak ignition, it could get even worse since you've owned it so now a new set of plugs won't even help for a short time. A possibility is your timing plate being loose and it's rotated enough to cause the problem. Easy to check the timing. I'd try that first because the timing should be checked anyway and it's quick.
If it's strictly a float level problem, you can try placing the bike on the centerstand and SLOWLY draining a small amount from the bowls by loosening the bowl drain bolts, just to lower the levels some. Doesn't take much. Then temporarily remove the vacuum line at the petcock and be sure the petcock lever is set to on or reserve. Then clean off the plugs. Re-test. Your fuel leak also suggests incorrect float levels, but could be other things too. I mention float levels beause the PO could set them wrong or be trying to compensate for some other problem and it figures all four floats would be set wrong and all four cylinders would be effected the same. Another common cause of high bowl levels is rust particles preventing the float needle valves from sealing or regulating fuel level correctly. All four could be effected easily.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just to add if you decide to try draining some fuel from the bowls...
Try to remove enough to lower the levels about 1/8" then test. Maybe a little more if it still won't start. The floats can only be over-adjusted so much, so if the bike still doesn't start by the time you've drained an estimated 1/4" of fuel, it doesn't figure to be strictly a level problem. I know it's difficult to guess how much you're lowering the levels, but if you drain small amounts at a time and test, this should expose a problem related to high levels. If the bike shows marked improvement and then replacing the vacuum line to allow fuel to flow brings back the problem, it's time to re-set the floats or be sure the float valves are sealing/clean.

[trispeed]

Hi Keith, thanks for the tips, I will try them tomorrow when I get back to LA>