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Gas Man · 05-26-2009, 09:43 PM

Carbs aren't hard to clean, but its the inspection that should be done by someone that knows what to look for. ALL OF WHICH shows the need for a service manual of some kind, whether it be a factory or aftermarket.

I always suggest people in your situation and wrench expierence. Get the carbs off yourself. Take them to a mechanic (not always the dealership but maybe a private shop) and get them cleaned and sync'ed.

Being that its not running at all, tells me that its not just dirty carbs. I would ask about the bad gas but it sounds like you ride it regulary and therefor fresh gas.

The petcock most likely has a screening on it. That screening could be clogged and not allowing gas flow. Clogged with anything from general debris to your tank lining breaking down. What do you mean never touched it and its under the tank? Its not a switch so much as its a valve. Below is a picture of my old big dog petcock (made by pingle) and you can see the screening and the tube. The long tube is the normal ON position being it sticks UP from the bottom of the carb. When the fuel level falls below that, you swing the valve to reserve where it picks up from the base of the petcock and allows you to further drain more gas from the tank.

Does it have a fuel filter that could be clogged? This is why I would like to know for sure the carbs are getting gas. You can also put gas in a spray bottle and spray into the carbs and see if it starts that way...

I strgonly suggest you work on it yourself. Even though I hate working on down bikes during riding season it is part of the life.

Remember this... a motor is nothing more than a big air pump. It sucks air in, squeezes it and pumps air out. You only need 3 things, after the obvious compression, to start...

gas
air
spark

Air is always there
Gas has to get there and be fresh
spark has to present and is easy to verify

as I said being its not running ruff, and saying you have good gas... I am betting on eletrical. With your rockets.. I'm wondering if on your yam... will the various kill sensor like kickstand and shit. Do they enhibit the starter or just the ignition? Most of the time its the starter... so that brings up

Is your kickstand up or down while trying to start?
what about nuetral and clutch?

And correct me if I'm wrong... the bike is cranking over...

05-26-2009, 09:43 PM	#8
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	Carbs aren't hard to clean, but its the inspection that should be done by someone that knows what to look for. ALL OF WHICH shows the need for a service manual of some kind, whether it be a factory or aftermarket. I always suggest people in your situation and wrench expierence. Get the carbs off yourself. Take them to a mechanic (not always the dealership but maybe a private shop) and get them cleaned and sync'ed. Being that its not running at all, tells me that its not just dirty carbs. I would ask about the bad gas but it sounds like you ride it regulary and therefor fresh gas. The petcock most likely has a screening on it. That screening could be clogged and not allowing gas flow. Clogged with anything from general debris to your tank lining breaking down. What do you mean never touched it and its under the tank? Its not a switch so much as its a valve. Below is a picture of my old big dog petcock (made by pingle) and you can see the screening and the tube. The long tube is the normal ON position being it sticks UP from the bottom of the carb. When the fuel level falls below that, you swing the valve to reserve where it picks up from the base of the petcock and allows you to further drain more gas from the tank. Does it have a fuel filter that could be clogged? This is why I would like to know for sure the carbs are getting gas. You can also put gas in a spray bottle and spray into the carbs and see if it starts that way... I strgonly suggest you work on it yourself. Even though I hate working on down bikes during riding season it is part of the life. Remember this... a motor is nothing more than a big air pump. It sucks air in, squeezes it and pumps air out. You only need 3 things, after the obvious compression, to start... gas air spark Air is always there Gas has to get there and be fresh spark has to present and is easy to verify as I said being its not running ruff, and saying you have good gas... I am betting on eletrical. With your rockets.. I'm wondering if on your yam... will the various kill sensor like kickstand and shit. Do they enhibit the starter or just the ignition? Most of the time its the starter... so that brings up Is your kickstand up or down while trying to start? what about nuetral and clutch? And correct me if I'm wrong... the bike is cranking over... __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product Last edited by Gas Man; 05-26-2009 at 09:48 PM..