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Bike ran perfectly a month ago... Bike ran perfectly a month ago...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 25 Aug 2009
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Location: Tampa
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Bike ran perfectly a month ago...
Hey guys,

Newbie here with a big headache LOL

My bike sat for a month waiting for a brake job.
Got the brakes done, charged the battery, fires up nicely.

If I let it idle it will die after a couple of minutes.

If I try and ride it, it is very weak and spluttery, just like when it runs out of gas, and will stall if I don't stay on the gas at low speed.

So clearly the issue is fuel delivery, but seriously WHAT can go so wrong after a few weeks of sitting??? It's not even cold, I am in FL.

It's surely something simple, right?......riiiiiiiiiiiiiight? LOL

Any input is greatly appreciated as my manual is only really directing me to carb work which I do not have the experience for and at the risk of sounding redundant, really? after a few weeks of sitting I have to mess with the carbs????

Thanks in advance, Rich.
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  #2  
Old 25 Aug 2009
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Location: Brisbane
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There are a few things to check first. I would start with cleaning out the fuel and and filter at the bottom of the tank. Making sure there are no foreign objects lurking at the bottom of the tank. Its actually surprising how much you get in there just from filling up from a petrol tank.
The next step its to check the fuel line and make sure it has a consistent fall and no sharp ups or kinks. Following that through, I would either drain the carbie bowl into a small container checking to see if there is any foreign objects or water in the carbie. If no petrol comes through the bowl drain, you will then have to take the carbie off and open up the bottom bowl. In there (depending on which bike you have) you may find a tiny filter that's been clogged up, hence no fuel coming out the drain or you just may find a whole lot of dirt. Clean this area with petrol and put it all back together. If you want to give your carbie a service at the same time then you may as well since its off your bike. Just read your bike manual before hand.
Give this ago as this is pretty simple, and shows you how to look after your petrol lines when your on the road where good /clean fuel is hard to find!
Good Luck
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  #3  
Old 25 Aug 2009
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What model bike is it?

If you want to try a simple fix, buy a bottle of "seafoam" from an automotive supplies shop, or if you have a Yamaha agent nearby, get some Yamalube Carb Cleaner. They both work the same way, by mixing with the fuel. It's surprising how often they work.

If that doesn't work, then you are in for a carb strip and clean. Let us know if thats the case and I will talk you thru.

Regards

Nigel in NZ
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  #4  
Old 28 Aug 2009
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I agree with above posts. Drain tank completely, drain carbs completely, put new fuel in. I just had similar problem with two of my bikes after sitting for just one month. Have not used Seafoam, but I'm told it works well.
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  #5  
Old 28 Aug 2009
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Hope this helps
Hi Rich,
You might have fixed your bike by now but others might find this helpful.
Sounds like your ear is connected to the situation and that’s a good thing
I would like to make the following suggestions
I recently gained my motorcycle licence for the first time in my life after 47 years of driving, Soooo.. Bikes are new to me Soooo… I have a lot to learn BUT!!! and one might say I tinkered professionally with motor vehicles Big Ones and little ones for a number of years in my youth about 50Yo and built a Renault 12 with modified 1600ccengine that does 96 mph in third gear. I would like to suggest to you that a little knowledge is very useful it saves you when you are in a spot of trouble along the road and in the middle of “NO Where” where the phone don’t work and even the locals avoid the place and there are limited services.

The problem at hand is that your bike won’t run at low speed, and all indications are that there is some sort of blockage or fuel problem such as fuel that has gone off. The usual indication for this is that there will be a vapour trail or white coloured smoke coming from the exhaust at some RPM. Other than this it may be a blockage in the fuel system or idle jet.

You didn’t say which bike you ride; I ride a 2006 DRZ 250 with Motard wheels (my first Bike) I put them on my self as I suffer from a little arthritis in the hips and Ducks Disease, you know bum too close to the ground.
When you wrote about your problem the first thing I looked at was what make of carburettor might be on your bike , on mine it is a Mikuni so I Googled Mikuni motorcycle Carburettor and chose this site http://www.iwt.com.au/mikunicarb.htm what an abundance of information, know how it all works however it wasn’t what I was looking for so Goggled again and this site http://www.mikuni.com/ seemed appropriate for what I wanted if you follow it through you will end up with a full view of the carburettor in pieces. anther good sorce of an exploded view is the spare parts counter at the bike shop. (Meakley ask may I have a copy of that) What I see is a very simple carburettor and once you have this knowledge you can do anything …I say “Have the Knowledge” then you will know what people are talking about and it wont be a mystery and leave you scratching the back of your head if you pull it apart and cant put it back together then put the lot in a shoe box and drop it off at the local bike shop and they will say “Oh Yare… leave it there” indicating the bench and “come back tomorrow” and I guarantee that your crab will be all brand new.

The next thing to do is adjust the idle screw and it should run.
BTW the most excellent fluid for a little water is mentholated Spirits about a litre in the fuel tank should do the trick, provided it is not filled with other gunk. Take the tank off anyway and clean it out get a couple of marbles and roll them around in the bottom of the tank, if your tank is steel and there is a lot of rust comes out Junk the tank or have it coated inside. If plastic it may have an accumulation of gunk stuck to the bottom here I suggest that you obtain a suitable solvent and wash the tank till you dislodge the gunk or later it may flake off and cause you trouble. If your not sure always seek some advice.
Hope this is of help
Good Luck on your ride Champ
From Brisbane Australia If anyone is down this way and has some travel tails then give me a call there is always some sort of meal and a friendly face chat and a yarn look

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