Need Help Problems starting

So im having problems getting my 81 midnight maxim to start. the only way i can get her to start is to take off the pods and cover the intakes with my hands. she will start up rev up to about 6 grand and then qiuckly die. i know im gong to be running very lean with pods and straight pipes but shouldnt it at least start? the carbs a recently rebuilt and cleaned professionaly. should i just throw a stage 3 jet kit in her? im hesitant in doing that if she wont even fire up un assisted. all the boots are good and i dont beleive its a vacuum leak. ive tried velocity stacks and a custom pvc intake with no success. the stoack airbox will no longer fit due to mods. please help

 

First things first.
Theres a couple things you have to ensure have been done before you can properly diagnose this.

Have you checked/adjusted the valve clearances?
Whens the last time you opened up the carbs?

You might have to tell us a little about the bike. Miles, what you've done to it, etc..

As far as the pods, this is kind of a mystery. Theres no real answer on how to adjust everything correctly for pods. rick i think was on to something but i dont think anyone found out if it works yet.

 

The carbs were just completely redone and cleaned professionally. Its got abou1 20k on it but the guy i bought it from said he had it runnin last year just needed carbs cleaned out. as far as what ive done to it i dont know where to begin. basically i have chopped it in half and stretched it six inches. mechnically its basically the same as well as the electrical.

how hard is it to check the valves? is it an allay engine puller or a couple hour deal?

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html

Pop the valve cover and stab around with a feeler gauge, lol.
Nothing crazy

 

right on i'll give it a shot. sounds like that might be my problem. carbs all have good suction though. probly still onna install that jet kit

 

y do u suppose it would start and rev so high and then die? so confused lol

 

Maybe a hardcore vacuum leak?

Theres alott of possibilities which im sure someone will chime in with, but the first thing theyll tell you is those valve clearances.

 

-valves
-float levels
-sync

in that order.

 

the shop that rebuilt them checked the float levels and synced em. said i should be able to hook em up and go. he was very old and fat and mumbled a lot. i tend to trust fat disgruntled dudes to know what they r doin

 

lmao i like your logic


if theyre good then you wont have to spend much time on em.