A little help Please!

[mastan]

Hey all:
Just went out to take my 78XS for a ride and it doesn't want to run. Cylinders 1&2 don't seem to be firing. The pipes get warm, but don't fry the back of my hand like 3&4 do. The plugs on 3&4 fouled immediatly. I've never done the coil wire pick up fix. I'm thinking it's either that or it's not getting fuel to those two cylinders. Which petcock supplies fuel to the 1&2 cylinder?
TIA,
Mark Stanton
78XS11e

[GtrMn]

It shouldn't be the coils or pickup coils. The 1+4 cylinders are fired by one and the 2+3 are fired by the other. Sounds like a fuel problem. Not sure how you have your fuel lines set up. Mine are opposite sides because I'm running filters.

[JWSanders]

If it's still in the stock configuration, the petcock on each side delivers fuel to the two cyliders closest to it. Owned my bike 2 years and can still never remember which side #1 is on....pitiful.

On a side note:

Am I the only one who giggles every time I see the word petcock? Sometiemes I'd swear I'm 12 years old again....

[GtrMn]

I'd try putting both on reserve and see what happens.

[mastan]

It's a stock configuration. I would think that the left petcock supplies the fuel for the 1&2 cylinder.
He said petcock again.
Mark

[GtrMn]

Yeap it does...you may have a clogged screen.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mark,

You've got the 78E, it has vacuum controlled fuel valves (for JW), check your vacuum lines, they can get cracked, and leak, and NOT open the valve to allow fuel to get to the carbs!

#3 and 4 are firing=hot pipes, so not sure how/why they are getting fuel fouled IF they are burning. Are plugs 1-2 dry or wet? IF dry, then not getting fuel, if fuel fouled, then you have a possible funky electrical problem, because as has been stated, those are not normally paired for electrical problems!
T.C.

[79XS11F]

on the 78 standard bike the fuel lines cross over each other under the carbs so left feels 3 & .. right feeds 1 & 2 that is unless it was changed at some point in the past .. Check for petcock operation first if this is a new issue
Rob

[mastan]

Topcat:
Plugs 1&2 are dry. I think that 3&4 are fouled because I ran it on full choke for a few minutes trying to get it running. I will check those vacuum hoses tomorrow. BTW, the bike has been sitting for a couple of weeks.
Mark

[wa407mpp]

Did you just wash it or has it been sitting it the rain ? If so pull the plugs from the carb bowls and check for water in the gas.

[mastan]

Update

Well, I just got home for the weekend and went out and tried to start my bike. It started rough, but I cycled the petcocks from on to reserve and back and bingo! It runs great. So, I guess it's a fuel delivery issue. Should I dig into the petcocks and rebuild or just wait until the problem comes back? Could it be that simple?
I'm thinking about selling the bike, so I don't want to sink any more money into it than I have to.
Mark

[TopCatGr58]

The petcocks may not even need to be rebuilt, but just cleaned out, you may have some prominent grundge in it, and just opening them up, cleaning them, rebend the wavy washer, and reassemble may be all you need, to at least keep it running until you decide what you're going to do with it! Sorry to hear that you're thinking of selling it, but you gotta do what you gotta do!
T.C.

[GtrMn]

Like T.C. said just need to be cleaned...Zero $ I'm sure there's simple info here on how to do it.

[mastan]

Thanks for the input guys. I should be able to knock this out tomorrow.
Yeah, I hate to sell it, but finances dictate. I've had $2,000 in car repair in the last two weeks and I ain't even done yet.
Now if I could find a sidecar, I may be able to convince swmbo that I'm keeping it as a family quality time thing!
Mark