Help, bike runs like shiz!

[Rider]

Ok, at the beginning of the season I replaced the plugs, air filter, oil, tore down carbs and cleaned them. Bike ran great for a while and the last time I rode it, but now after sitting for about a month the bike wont idle, has poor acceleration and backfires when I close the throttle after maintaining cruising speed on the highway. Too rich? I probably need to replace the needle and seat on the carbs but after that I have no idea what to do next. Gas is fresh and I ran Seafoam to clean out the carbs. No luck.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Particle Man]

this may seem like a dumb suggestion (sorry) but if it's been sitting, check the airbox to make sure some critter hasn't built a home for itself in there... I know you said you replaced the air filter at the beginning of the season but didn't say if you checked it again recently... at my last place of residence, I let the bike sit for 2 weeks once and had similar issues. Turns out a mouse had made a home in the snorkle to the airbox...

[shmike]

Turn off the choke.

[Rider]

Turn off the choke.

It's off.

[goof2]

What is the bike?

[Amber Lamps]

OIC you don't have time for us unless you need something....:lol:

I'd seriously check the air box, he's right about "critters"... Beyond that, pull the plugs and check if they are fouled. Look for a possible vacuum leak, perhaps a line fell off or had a crack that has gotten worse. Check, the fuel filter, I don't think you mentioned that. You haven't washed the bike recently have you? Sometimes water can get into connections at the ECU which can cause these problems. Especially if you have add on programmers... Make sure your plug wire connections are good and triple check that the choke isn't stuck open. Oh and if you have those carbs with the diaphragms on the side, make sure you don't have a hole in one of those.

[Rider]

What is the bike?

V-Star 650

OIC you don't have time for us unless you need something....:lol:

I'd seriously check the air box, he's right about "critters"... Beyond that, pull the plugs and check if they are fouled. Look for a possible vacuum leak, perhaps a line fell off or had a crack that has gotten worse. Check, the fuel filter, I don't think you mentioned that. You haven't washed the bike recently have you? Sometimes water can get into connections at the ECU which can cause these problems. Especially if you have add on programmers... Make sure your plug wire connections are good and triple check that the choke isn't stuck open. Oh and if you have those carbs with the diaphragms on the side, make sure you don't have a hole in one of those.

Didn't wash the bike, it's been under a bike cover for the last month. The bike is also bone stock. I'll pull the plugs tonight to check or color.

[Particle Man]

Didn't wash the bike, it's been under a bike cover for the last month.

Even more of a possibility of a miserible mouse in that case... ask me how I know :lol:

[lauralynne]

Ok, at the beginning of the season I replaced the plugs, air filter, oil, tore down carbs and cleaned them. .


I think I found your problem....

:lol

[Rider]

I think I found your problem....

:lol

Reading comprehension fail. I said it ran great after that? What is your fucking IQ? any idea sweetheart?

[lauralynne]

Reading comprehension fail. I said it ran great after that? What is your fucking IQ? any idea sweetheart?

Just for that - I won't tell you what's wrong with it.

:gofurslf:

(ever hear of sarcasm?)

[Particle Man]

..

[Rider]

Just for that - I won't tell you what's wrong with it.

:gofurslf:

(ever hear of sarcasm?)

Then I apologize. I didn't see the sarcasm.

[Amber Lamps]

Then I apologize. I didn't see the sarcasm.

So did you check the air box, fuel filter and plugs yet?...

[Rider]

So did you check the air box, fuel filter and plugs yet?...

Yes, air box was clear, plugs were still white and new looking(only about 200 miles on them), fuel filter looked ok. What I found though was a loose screw in the gas tank. Apparently one of the 1 1/2" screws from the bottom of the gas cap fell into the tank. Took a magnet fished it out and it seems to run much better. It idles now. I'm guessing that the screw was blocking fuel flow through the petcock but that doesn't explain the backfire when closing the throttle. I didn't have time to take it for a test ride but it's at least idling smoothly so it's a start anyway.

[Particle Man]

Yes, air box was clear, plugs were still white and new looking(only about 200 miles on them), fuel filter looked ok. What I found though was a loose screw in the gas tank. Apparently one of the 1 1/2" screws from the bottom of the gas cap fell into the tank. Took a magnet fished it out and it seems to run much better. It idles now. I'm guessing that the screw was blocking fuel flow through the petcock but that doesn't explain the backfire when closing the throttle. I didn't have time to take it for a test ride but it's at least idling smoothly so it's a start anyway.

How lodged was the screw? Maybe when you let off the throttle the bike rocked forward a bit and the gas shifted letting more fuel through and dumped a whole bunch of gas in all at once...?

[Rider]

How lodged was the screw? Maybe when you let off the throttle the bike rocked forward a bit and the gas shifted letting more fuel through and dumped a whole bunch of gas in all at once...?

It wasn't lodged at all. When I took the tank off the bike I heard the screw rattling around.

[Particle Man]

It wasn't lodged at all. When I took the tank off the bike I heard the screw rattling around.

That may explain the backfire then (sudden surge of fuel)

[Rider]

That may explain the backfire then (sudden surge of fuel)

We'll see when I take it for a test ride.

[lauralynne]

Then I apologize. I didn't see the sarcasm.

I'll make sure it's clear next time...sorry. (that wasn't sarcasm - that was a sincere apology)

[OneSickPsycho]

I'll make sure it's clear next time...sorry. (that wasn't sarcasm - that was a sincere apology)

Translation... Fuck you Rider.

[Amber Lamps]

Translation... Fuck you Rider.

:lol: besides, what's a GIRL doing in the mechanical/tech section anyway? This is the closest thing we get to a "Men's only" section.:wink:

[OneSickPsycho]

:lol: besides, what's a GIRL doing in the mechanical/tech section anyway? This is the closest thing we get to a "Men's only" section.:wink:

Yeah Ugh Argh!

*dances around beating his club on the ground*

[Particle Man]

:lol:

[101lifts2]

Drain the fuel tank and put in clean good fuel.

That or u fucked up the carbs. lol

[Amber Lamps]

Drain the fuel tank and put in clean good fuel.

That or u fucked up the carbs. lol

Or there was a screw in the tank...do try to keep up.:lol:

[101lifts2]

Or there was a screw in the tank...do try to keep up.:lol:

Doubt if that would do anything unless it was a big ass bolt. :lol

[Amber Lamps]

Doubt if that would do anything unless it was a big ass bolt. :lol

I don't know he said it runs better now...

[askmrjesus]

Reading comprehension fail. I said it ran great after that? What is your fucking IQ? any idea sweetheart?

Yeah, it ran great, right up until the part where the shit you fucked with broke. :lol:

But hey, by all means, blame the nearest woman.

That's how I do it.

JC

[Rider]

You guys really can't fucking read.

[Particle Man]

You guys really can't fucking read.

Usually not at the same time, no.

[marko138]

You guys really can't fucking read.
Still bitter as hell I see.

[shmike]

Turn off the choke.

[Rider]

Still bitter as hell I see.

I'm an equal opportunity hater.

Turn off the choke.

If you scroll up just a little you'll see the problem is now fixed.