New boots! Still won't idle.

[UncleMike]

Ah, I see the *...

It's handy, no?

Now quit f*ckin' around and give me the magic piece of advice that will fix my bike!*

[UncleMike]

I refuse to believe someone smarter than me hasn't read this yet.

[chef1366]

Sounds like your bowls are running out of gas. Try richening your float height. Do you have a 5/16" fuel line that doesn't have a kink when you lower the tank the last few inches?

[UncleMike]

Sounds like your bowls are running out of gas. Try richening your float height. Do you have a 5/16" fuel line that doesn't have a kink when you lower the tank the last few inches?

No kink. Could the carbs really starve the bowls after filling them on prime for 30 seconds or more, just by idling for 10 seconds or so?

[chef1366]

If your float adjustment is off, yes. But I'm just throwing out suggestions because as many times I've had my carbs on and off I feel I should be a pro. When your bike stalls pull your plugs and see if it's rich or lean.

[UncleMike]

If your float adjustment is off, yes. But I'm just throwing out suggestions because as many times I've had my carbs on and off I feel I should be a pro. When your bike stalls pull your plugs and see if it's rich or lean.

Okay, here's the first stupid question of the night,...

The bike has stalled many times since putting new plugs in. Does starting it again after it has stalled ruin the reading I'd get on the plugs? How does that work?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for trying! I'm trying to get to Moosehead!

[chef1366]

Clean the plugs and try it. For example a throttle chop, you cut the engine at the troubled circuit and cruise to the side of the road with clutch in so you get the reading at that exact moment. So if you try to start it and run it you won't get the correct reading.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Getting late and I didn't read all the other replies.
Some quick thoughts...
Does it still have the problem if you turn the petcock lever to PRIME?
If using the gas tank, does removing the gas cap help? If using a fuel reservoir, is it vented adequately?
Is the throttle cable adjusted EXACTLY per factory recommendation?
If you deliberately turn up the idle speed an additional 200 rpm's (just for testing purposes), will it now hold an idle?

[UncleMike]

Clean the plugs and try it. For example a throttle chop, you cut the engine at the troubled circuit and cruise to the side of the road with clutch in so you get the reading at that exact moment. So if you try to start it and run it you won't get the correct reading.

What does "at the troubled circut" mean?

[UncleMike]

Getting late and I didn't read all the other replies.
Some quick thoughts...
Does it still have the problem if you turn the petcock lever to PRIME?
If using the gas tank, does removing the gas cap help? If using a fuel reservoir, is it vented adequately?
Is the throttle cable adjusted EXACTLY per factory recommendation?
If you deliberately turn up the idle speed an additional 200 rpm's (just for testing purposes), will it now hold an idle?

Prime and gas cap have no effect.

I'll let you know about the throttle cable, but yes, turning up the idle speed will allow it to idle, albeit at 1500 or higher.

[retchidxs]

is there any chance your sparkplug wires are bad? my brothers ford wouldnt idle and he had the shop look at it and they fixed the plugwires and did a idle adjust. i read you did the idle so could you have a weak spark you think and when the motor heats up and revs up it gets stronger? crazy idea? i'm just guessing.

[UncleMike]

is there any chance your sparkplug wires are bad? my brothers ford wouldnt idle and he had the shop look at it and they fixed the plugwires and did a idle adjust. i read you did the idle so could you have a weak spark you think and when the motor heats up and revs up it gets stronger? crazy idea? i'm just guessing.

Nice blue spark on all four plugs.

[Jethro]

Boy has been working on it since 7:22 this morning!! You are on the path, I know it!!!

Yes, float heights can make or break how a bike idles. I use a clear tube attached to the float bowl drains to confirm the float heights, and make sure they are perfect. Remember that idleing (the pilot jet in general) is the most complex function a carb performs.

Really sounds like fuel starvation of some sort to me. Even with dirty carbs with weak spark, if it idles for ANY amount of time (even a few seconds) you should be able to get it to idle- if it is getting fuel. Fuel is the only thing that could change so fast, due to the float needles, or flow to the carbs, float needle seat filter, float bowl vents, fuel line...

You are probably sick of questions that you have already been over, but lets start at the beginning anyway...

1. Gas cap vent is ok as you said
2. Petcock flows nicely
3. Fuel line is 5/16" ID? As you asid not kinked.
4. Vaccum line is free and attached
5. Float bowl gaskets are sealing well? This is an often overlooked air leak.
6. Float heights are correct?
7. The little port at the side of the float bowl for the starter jet is free?
8. The starter jet tube is clean and clear?
9. Float needle seats were cleaned? Filters are clear?
10. Pilot jet was removed and is clear?
11. Emulsion tube was removed and cleaned?
12. All jets and needles are stock sizes?
13. Mixture screws are cleaned and in good shape?
14. There are no air blockages?
15. The slides are in good shape? Diaphragms are solid?


Boy, I don't know what else to cover! The plug reads are big. You can get an idea no matter how dirty the plugs are. If it stalls out, and they are white or just dry, you may lack fuel. If they are wet when it stalls, you may have a spark issue. If they are sooty, and dirty, you lack air.

[waterman]

Two other simple points to consider is battery charge and fresh gas. In the last month I have pulled my hair out do to poor gas (would not even run in my lawnmower) and a slowly discharging battery causing all sorts of idle and starting problems. Not sure it is your problem but do eliminate the obvious first.

[UncleMike]

Sorry guys, I was doing factory tours all day to prepare for a video script I've gotta write.

So if I go down there right now, start her up and let her stall out like normal and pull the plugs, we should get a good read?

Should I clean the plugs first? If so, how?