xj650 maxim dies while idling

I had everything on my '82 maxim running perfect. Finally went out to test it out, everything was going great until i pulled up to a stop sign and kicked it into neutral, idle was around 1250 and then the bike slowly died, sounding like it was out of gas. I checked the petcock, it was on the "on" position and i had plenty of fuel left in the tank and the in-line fuel filter. My idle screw was adjusted for when the bike was hot with no choke.

The only changes i have done to the bike are a new valve cover gasket, complete clean of the carbs, just without breaking the rack, new vacuum line, and colortune.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

does it start right back up or does it take awhile

 

At one point I had to push start it, when I was working on it earlier tonight, it would start up after the third try or so.

 

have the valves been set lately

 

Not to my knowledge

 

that could be the problem, it throws the timing off and lowers the compression. you won't notice it until it gets good and hot and it tries to idle
then bad things start happening
you should look into that

 

It also happened while the engine was still cold while messing with it in the garage, could that still be valve clearances?

 

Could be. Depends on how far out of spec they are.
Valve clearances are one thing that you just have to make right before doing anything else, or you can't diagnose the issue properly. After the valves are set do a compression test, and a leakdown test if you can.

 

Title says it all.
Things i've tried:
Swapping #1 and #4 plug leads
Swapping #1 and #4 plugs
Colortune with and without YICS blanking tool
Set float height

Exhaust out of right side muffler smells like unburnt fuel, white smoke from right side exhaust at higher speeds(around 45 or 55 mph at 4500 or so rpm). Left side smells as exhaust should, plugs #1- #3 are all a nice tannish brown color and left side exhaust has not shown any issues. Having to switch to reserve at around 40 miles, so pretty bad mpg.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

Merged.

OP, there are a lot of things we need to know before we can help.
Please report back about which of the previous suggestions you have tended to.
Also let us know what work (in detail) you have done to the carbs.
If you used the colortune correctly, and the carbs are set up properly, you shoiud not be running rich. Keep in mind that soot is an indication of an incomplete burn, whether rich or lean.

What do the plugs look like in terms of color?
#1 and #4 fire as a pair. #2 and #3 fire as a pair.
There is a crossover pipe in the exhaust. so smelling rich out of one muffler tells you nothing about where the problem lies.

 

You have a bad needle and seat, or 2 and are overfuelling, my opinion, bad float levels or bad needles.

 

you had to push start it ? next time you have bike started check the charging system. put a meter on the battery read volts at idle then at 2k rpm then a 4k rpm

voltage should climb at idle you have it set to and at 2k 14.2 to 14.8 volts same at 4k rpm.
how old is battery?

this link has charging specs and tests also has ignition specs
The Ultimate Relay, Switch, Sensor, and Diodes Guide


how is your fuel filter mounted? it wants to be lower than petcock so you do not get an air bubble trapped in the curvs of fuel line.

did you use real Vacuum line and not fuel hose?

just wanted to cover the simple stuff

 

K-Moe: I will check out valve clearances first, I'm pretty busy over the weekend, but is there anything I NEED to order (other than shims ) to have that done?
XJ550H: I just bought the battery a month and a half ago, I will get out my meter later on. I removed the fuel filter and that fixed my previous problem (petcock rebuild from chacal is on the way). I don't have real vacuum line on it right now, It's clear hose but had not been collapsing.

 

even new batterys can be bad. check its fluid level if it is an acid/lead battery use distilled water to fill as needed.
do a voltage drop test on battery. see what voltage drops to after charging when starter button is pressed.

this is how to do shims
Bigfitz's AIRHEAD VALVE ADJUSTMENT with Pics - parts I & II

I use the solid wire method and ziptye method
you will need METRIC feelers to measure

you will not see line collapse as soon as bike dies it will expand again as there is no vacuum to collapse it
4mm vacuum line.

also check your fuel cap

Your Gas Cap and You

 

if you are running at1250 rpm for idle. and from what you have said I think you need to sync your carbs. but first things first .
check valve shims
then sync.
you can build the tool cheap or get a set of vacuum guages

motorcycles are a collection of systems that all come together to make a bike run.
that's why you need to check charging system,check ignition system , make sure fuel system is working properly and air supply is correct.
what are you running for an air filter? best filter is stock oem paper filter.

fuel, fire , and air in the proper amounts are what a bike needs to run.

 

Bigfitz's AIRHEAD VALVE ADJUSTMENT with Pics - parts I & II

 

I ordered the oem paper filter, just waiting for it to come in, it has a k&n in it right now. I will get a set of vacuum gauges and everything for valve clearances. Other than battery and voltage/resistance checks, anything else i sho7ld look for?

 

plug wire ends may be corroded and need to be trimmed back a little plug caps just unscrew . if original caps make sure the plug end is tight there is a screw insert in there to snug up if loose.

are you using a paper fuel filter those have been known to cause fuel supply issues.
edit fuel filter

 

for clarity, Xj550H means a paper fuel filter.

 

I dont have a fuel filter installed right now, ill look over plug caps tonight. Thanks