WOOHOO! (but strange)

I've been tweaking my SECA from the outside for a month or two...since I got it. New plugs, filters, fuse box, seafoam and ignition switch (nothing major). Plus I was adjusting the idle screw, since it doesn't idle without the choke ON a little bit. So I know I need to do some heavy carb cleaning when the off-season arrives. For now, I'm happy just riding a bike (with crappy performance) and tweaking the choke back and forth to keep it running.

Today was no different. This morning, same as usual.

On the way home! 8O
I tweaked the choke up just a bit too high while riding......BOOM....the bike exploded out from under me! I had to hang on hard. I backed the choke off and was back to crappy performance and having to tweak the choke to keep it running ( or battling run away rpms).

I get it home, and pull it in. Just to see if it would, I turned the choke all the way off. It started to die off slowly. Put the choke back on a little, and tweaked the idle screw. Repeat.

It idled without the choke on.....right at 1050-ish.....I almost did a happy dance!


The catch: now the thing races up to 3k or so, if I give it any gas....and hangs up there for a little bit....then returns to idle. :? It even has a little bit more power, but still is lacking and spotty. I hear that has something to do with slides or diaphragms?

Just odd that the bike would change all of a sudden like that?
(maybe seafoam actually works after all? :lol: )

 

I think you might be right about the SeaFoam, and something finally opened up.

The "hanging" usually indicates slides that aren't moving freely, do a search for "clunk test." You can clean the slides and bores without major disassembly if you're careful, just by removing the carb hats.

 

Rain for the next few days.......looks like I'll be digging into the carbs tonight.

It's almost like accidentally opening the choke full blast while riding jarred something loose. Awesome.

 

maybe you are running lean, also. the choke is giving it a little extra that it's missing.

 

Most certainly. Waiting for the riding season to be over before I dig in.


It lacks power and back fires. Before it wouldn't idle without choke....but that ain't a problem anymore. 8)

 

My plugs looked exactly the same, except switch number 4 and 1. I highly suggest you take a free evening and go through the carbs. The difference in performance is amazing once you have them CLEAN. I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND polishing the slide bores.

 

That's the plan.

I just don't want to rip the thing apart when it's nice out.

I'll do the slides for now, and do the full overhaul this winter.

Have to seal the engine to carb boots too.....they're not looking all that great.

 

Only if the cracks go all the way through. In a lot of cases, they don't.
Flex the boot from inside when the carbs are off you'll be able to tell.

 

Well, wouldn't idle yesterday.

Idled like a champ today.

 

my 85 xj700 does pretty much the same thing. It runs at about half choke but now when i just touch the throttle it will jump to anywhere from 3-5000rpms and hang there as well.

 

Now that the bike idles properly, I can turn the choke completely off. I know two of the four are running lean......clogged/block carb, I imagine.......so with the choke off....they must be starving. Riding season is almost over so I can rip the thing apart. Although, I plan on dealing with the slides soon, since I don't have to pull the carbs. I'm going to be so happy when it runs like it should!!

I notice surging now more then ever. Just split seconds of power, mixed with doggy bog down.

I'm still a bit skeptical every time I stop. Afraid it's going to die off.