Carb help

Ok so here is the latest. I got my 82 maxim 650 running, but if i take the choke of it dies. I can not set the idle speed due to the tach not working and the bike running on choke. So therefore i can not synch the carbs because it will not idle with out choke. Any ideas. The carbs have been rebuilt and the valve shims are correct.

 

Ok so since no one knows whats going on, i will take it across the scales.

 

Did you wet set the float levels?
Did you make sure all the passages were clear?
Are the air jets up in the top in the correct location?
When you say "rebuilt" does that mean you replaced throttle shaft seals?
Finally did you bench sync the carbs before installing them?

I'm going to assume you double checked to pilot jet size to be sure they are correct. Should be 40's

 

I cant wet set the carbs due to the drain screws being seized and i can not afford new bowels. Plus i can not afford the tool. I did make sure the all of the passages are clear. I did bench synch them. I did not replace the throttle shaft seals because they are to expensive. The bike has been sitting for about 10 years. It was running when it was parked. I did not touch the air jets.

 

Not sure what tool you can't afford? It's just some 1/4" clear plastic tubing.
If you would bother to look there is a whole thread on removing stuck drain screws.
Sorry you have no money to re-commission your bike.
If you have the inclination to run it across the scales at your nearest scrap dealer maybe you should have at it.

 

Bottom line: a 30 year old bike is going to need a lot of love. If not now, then definitely in the not too distant future.

You not being able to afford properly maintaining a vehicle does not make the necessary maintinence and upkeep any less of a fact. No easy buttons, no shortcuts. The carbs are tricky, and some of the parts are mildly spendy. That's the real entry fee to ANY bike.

If you want to really enjoy your ride, save up your money, get the parts you need, and put in the work. If you aren't willing or able to do that, maybe you should cut your losses.

Bandaids will only get you so far. She's gonna need more than carb work eventually. Tires, brakes, oil, filters, valve shims, batteries, clutch discs, cables, bulbs, fuses...all of these things get replaced eventually. The cost of the bikes maintinence never ends. To some it's worth the time, energy, and funds.

 

The fact that the Bike needs to "Run on the Choke" states volumes about what you need to do.

Since the CHOKE is actually "Enrichment" you have a FUEL DELIVERY Issue to contend with.

In other words: Your Carbs aren't working right!

You'll have to Pull the Carbs and do a thorough cleaning of every single part.
You're running on Choke.
That means your Carbs aren't delivering Fuel.
That means JETS and PASSAGES aren't clean enough to perform.

Because you are able to have the Bike run on CHOKE, ... that usually means that if you remove the Central NOZZLE --> a.k.a. "Emulsion Tube" ... yours probably look a lot like the one in the photo.

 

Then your carbs aren't clean. ALL of the jets and screws need to come out and be cleaned, or their passages won't be clear either.

You don't need to replace the float bowls because of stuck drain screws. Remove the offending float bowl, and screw it to a 2X4 with a couple of small wood or sheet metal screws through at least two of the mounting holes. Gently heat the area around the stuck drain screw with a propane torch. The screw will come out. Be sure to use a screwdriver that FITS the screw as closely as possible.

You don't NEED a "tool" to wet-set float levels, only a piece of clear vinyl tubing and a lot of patience. WET setting your float levels is critical.

You may not need throttle shaft seals; you have a lot of other things to attend to first. And most of those don't require much of an investment in any thing other than your TIME.

 

Then his next post is that he can't afford some tool that is needed for working on the carbs and throttle shaft seals.

It's hard to help someone who does not have the patience or the means to work on one of these bikes. We are dealing with the ravages of time and neglect.

His first statement was the bike has been sitting for ten years.
Reason: ?
We can assume it was put away broke and no one had the time or the money to repair it back then.
Currently he states he has rebuilt the carbs. Then when asked , he has not replaced the throttle shaft seals and removed then stuck bowl drain screws so the float levels can be set properly. A set of float bowl gaskets and a can of carb spray would not be considered "rebuilding" just a light cleaning at best.
As Rick has shown above the carbs need vast amounts of attention to get them right so they will work right.

Now the bike is for sale in the for sale part of these forums. Go Figure

 

Hey im kinda in the same boat "no real money to drop into bike" at least at one time. I got my bike cheap. I have already spent 400-500, on it. and I still have a way's to go. But I am looking to the future. I will have a bike that i restored, and have pride in because i did it all myself. ( well with the help of everyone here on Xj) There are lots of good posts and guides here. I have been paitent for over a year, and will continue to be until its done. Chacal at XJ4ever has the proper parts and is very fast at getting them to ya. Stuck bowl drains screws is very common. I have one. I just switched the bowls around after checking levels in good ones. and as far as clear tube. the tube that comes with the battery works perfect. there are many low cost methods for Tools on this site like that, like a great carb stand for bench working on carbs made outta pvc pipe. look around the forums ask questions, and most of all be paient. research, but most of all do it right the first time no short cuts. Take it from me, Third time is a charm for carbs rebuilds im doing. I just got all the new parts from Chacal. good luck

 

See XJ Supporting Vendor topic: real costs of maintenance.

I think that will sum things up.

MN

 

I am sorry guys about my attitude. Everything i was doing seemed to be for nothing. I really appreciate all of the help.

 

Hey , Just so you know we really love these bikes. We truely want to help and keep as many of these bikes alive as possible. If you ask the questions we will help you as best we can. But there are things that you will need to do on your part. Does not need to be done today or even next week but to move forward it has to happen sometime. We all understand about hard times and short on cash. Been there and done that.
Start over by removing your carbs and read the old school carb cleaning by Rick and that will get you started. Please follow Fitz's advise and free up the bowl drain screws so you can wet set the floats.

Let us know

MN