No Power

I have an 81 650 Maxim that I have been having some problems with for a while now. I have posted some of the symtoms on here in the past and everybody keeps leaning me towards the carbs. The problem I am having is the engine is bogging down and has no power. Yesterday was my first time on it in a couple of weeks so even though I let it warm up for a while after I took off I knew I was going to have problems. The bike would not go over 50-55 even at full throttle. I pulled over and shut it down for a few restarted and took everything seemed ok till I hit 4th and 5th gear. I pulled over got it back to first took off and it rode like a dream. This has been going on for a while now but it only happens every now and then but goes away, but it mainly happns when the bike is on the colder side. Please help I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this out.

 

what do your plugs look like?

 

I haven't looked at them lately, but they we new at the beginning of the season. The best way I can describe what is going on is it feels like an engine with a bad plug or wire or the timming is off.

 

Which is why i was wondering what your plugs looked like.

I had a similar problem and my TCI was flaking out and not firing two holes. Replaced and good as new.

 

Is the TCI the computer brain?

 

Lift the tank, start it and mist the coils, ignitors (TCI), wires with water from a spray bottle and see if that makes it start missing. Try moving the plug wires around to see if you can get a cross-firing happening. In the dark you can usually see where it's sparking to ground or another wire if this is happening.

The ignitiors can sometimes be forced to malfunction by tapping on them with a screwdriver handle or whatever...has worked for me before when the units was cracked or shorted inside.

Mine drops to two cylinders when the fuel level needs to go to reserve, just before it dies out. I suppose a fuel-feed restriction (like a kinked hose, dirty screen, etc) could act like that intermittently.

 

I have tried wiggling the wires and it didn't do anything I will try the water bottle that sounds like a good idea. My fuel filter is a few years old I went to change it and I can't find one like I have. There is a straight fitting going in and a 45 fitting out the back ao the hose doesn't kink. Do you know where I can find one?

 

its your tci box,mine did the same thing it would not go over 55 mph,i took a chance and bought one and it fixed it rite away,

 

Hey someone tell me because I never looked...one TCI box or two on these?

 

Message Chacal. He seems to have everything!

 

Will thanks

 

One TCI box two coils.

 

Silly additional question then,

if the TCI is what has two plugs coming out of behind the left side cover, what is the thing with fins just in front? a heat sink for it or something?

 

The thing with the fins is the regulator/rectifier. Which controls the voltage supply from the alternator. it also has a set of wires, mine are wrapped in tape, going back to a plug above the rear fender.