Not as powerful as last time

Went to ride my maxim to work today after it sitting for a week or so and first off, it didn't start up as nice as it normally does, took a couple tries. Once I started riding I noticed the acceleration wasn't the same and the bike seemed quieter. It seemed to be running on only 3 cylinders and even once it was warm when I stopped at a light it would die while idling. I turned around and took the cage just to avoid getting stranded but where should I start when I get home tonight and take a look at it. Thanks!

 

Start it up and spray water on the header pipes - you will find the "dead" cylinder.

Then you quickly check for spark, checking for a fouled plug, then it's off to carb cleaning.

You could back-flush the Pilot system in-situ, by removing the Pilot screw and components, and spraying carb cleaner in there, but that's a crap shoot.

 

Probably varnish & gum clogging your pilot circuit. You can also check for a dead cylinder by just feeling the pipes, it may sound crazy but right after you start it they aren't going to be scorching hot and as they warm up you will be able to tell which one(s) aren't getting warmer.

I'm with TtR on this one with the back flush, it can help if the problem is minimal and the cleaner can actually hit a clog and have no where else to go, but you are just prolonging the inevitable-a full carb clean is probably in order.

Anyone else wanna chime in about how today's gas isn't screwing up our CV carb fuel setup??

So once you get it back to normal, either use ethanol free gas if you can find it, ride everyday, or add to your tank an ethanol remedy, or upper cylinder lube/stabilizer to keep this from happening to you again.

 

if you open the drains on the bowls, you'll see if there was any gunk in there, then try the back flush thing.
you can go one step farther and take the hats off and rinse out the whole thing

 

Yeah, you could have water in the gas - - I just found many ounces of rusty water in a GL500 that was supposed to be running last year.

I got it running (was there any doubt??) and found a carb totally "plugged", and that was after replacing the final drive unit. I'd do anything for my friends. (he'd better appreciate it). Then I pulled the rack and cleared the jets.

Hey Bob !!

 

One week, it is probably due to ethanol. Run some seafoam or berrymans through it and see if that helps.

 

Just finished ready interesting article on carbs, not sure how to add the link. But if you do a google search for "Carbs 101" the site regarding motorbike carbs ... It discusses the affects of cold weather on the bikes overall performance. I see you Live in Windsor Ontario ? Not sure what your climate has been over the past week, but if anything like here in Victoria - where we have had a significant change in temp and humidity in the past week - it could be part of the problem and may assist in finding a solution. If not well interesting article none the less.

 

It's been cold and rainy here unfortunately.

 

Ya, I was riding it on a warmer day last week tho. And to be fair I rode my bike all through the winter last year and never had any problems. Sounding like the ethanol problem. I've been on the road all week but hopefully I'll get a chance to check it out tonight once I'm home. Thanks for the advice everyone!