Sounds like the carbs

My bike won't run i tried to start it today and it started up fine but would idle for a little bit and die with the choke all the way on if i try to give it gas it dies. sounds like carbs but i am an idiot when it comes to carbs anyone have any easy fix ideas?

 

well, what year and kind of bike is it, for starters? we need to know what kind of carbs you have!


edit: if the bike won't idle, generally that means your carbs need a good cleaning. Check out Rick's method here.

Are there any other symptoms you can describe? Cleaning the carbs, while in my opinion can be done by anyone, is a bit time consuming.

 

the bike is an 82 xj550 maxim, it's not starting anymore, and the last time i rode it it was acting funny when i got off the highway bogging down in low rpm but up around 5 or 6 grand it was running like a champ

 

have you checked the plugs? sooty and black and/or wet? Sounds like theres something wrong in the carbs to me, the plugs would help point us in the right direction

 

the plugs are a little dark i will most likely replace them but they are not wet at all.

 

sounds to me like something is clogged in the carbs if it wont start. have you tried starting it with starter fluid?

 

i have some starting fluid but im not really sure where to spray it, i sprayed some in the intake but it didnt start with that.

 

I normally pull the air filter and spray the ether down in there while cranking the bike. Is that where you sprayed? Have you checked for spark?

 

matthawkinson:

Where are you?
Close enough to road-trip with the carbs?

That 550 runs Mikuni's ... Keep them nice.
Don't hack them by working on them without the right tools.

 

switch: Yeah thats exactly where i sprayed still no go, i have checked for spark on the 1st and 4th plugs and those both work fine.

RickCoMatic: I am in Minnesota unfortunately not close enough to road trip.

 

U.S. Postal is always up for a road trip.

 

would the carb syncing have anything to do with it not running? or are we pretty sure its not getting air because starting fluid in the intake doesnt start it?

 

If Starting Fluid doesn't get the Engine to pop ... you generally start to suspect that there is no Spark.
Pull the Number-4 Plug Cap and insert a spare Spark Plug into the Cap.
Ground the Plug and hit the Start Button.
Look for Sparking of the test Plug as you engage the Starter.

If you don't have Spark ... you have an Ignition Problem
If you do have Spark; the Plugs may all be fouled from flooding the Engine.

If this Bike has not been upgraded with a New Fuse Panel as yet ... Now would be a good time to eliminate an Electrical issue by installing a new Fuse Panel.

The thrhee elements to Ignition are:
Fuel
Air
Spark

Starting Fluid is an excellent source of Test Fuel
Air is difficult to NOT have enough of.
Spark on these old bikes is a prime candidate for trouble. The Fuse Panel and Coils are very old and prone to breaking down.
Ignition Switches and Relays are aged too.

Test for Spark and lets see where we go from there.

 

ive tested for spark on all four plugs they all have spark i havent upgraded my fuse panel yet, will work on getting some blade fuses in there

i did put a new fuse in for the ignition though

 

i figured it out, all the plugs were sparking just not enough... i put a new battery in today and it fired up like a champ! im back in business!!!

 

matt:

Check your Alternator Brushes.
Measure their length in mm's.
There should be a wear mark on them too.

What do they look like?