Idle sticks at 3000...any thoughts?

[dpinter]

Hello all! Been awhile since I've had an XS, but I picked up a very clean '78 Standard this weekend. It is mostly stock with the exception of Mac pipes (2-into-1's).

The bike starts very easy, but I am finding it is sticking at about 3K idle. It is not the idle setting as it will go down to a more normal idle (About 1100rpm) if I use the gears to slow down below the 3K idle. I am thinking it might be a bad vaccuum line, but would like some advice. There is a bit of cracking on the boots, but I sprayed them while the bike was running at a low idle and did not get any change in the idle.

Any thoughts?

Thank you! I'll post some photo's soon...it is a very, very clean bike with fairing and "samsonite" luggage!

[81xsproject]

Forcing the idle down in gear doesn't rule out the idle setting. Remember, too, that there are is also an adjustment at the handle bars on the cable itself. To rule out the cable disconnect it from the carbs and try'er out.

Try lowering it with the idle speed knob and make sure the carbs have been synched.

[skids]

Re: Idle sticks at 3000...any thoughts?

If you are using WD40 for that purpose, you have to spray right at the leak to detect it. Mine leaked at the boot/head contact of one side of just one boot. Also be very careful of fire! That stuff did catch on fire and although I was able to blow it out, it could have envolved gasoline. I recommend doing this outside of the garage with an aux tank and a water hose/nozzle.

Originally posted by dpinter
[B but I sprayed them while the bike was running at a low idle and did not get any change in the idle.
[/B]

[Pat Kelly]

Don't use water on a gasoline fire, it just spreads the fire. Smother a gas/oil fire, remove the oxygen.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Dpinter,

Welcome "back"! Aside from a liquid aerosol that can build up and catch on fire as has been mentioned, folks have suggested using some portable type of Propane. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but one of those nifty little bic lighter/barbeque lighters should work nicely, just pull the trigger to release the gas but not far enough to hit the igniter! The gas diminishes very quickly, and doesn't collect on parts like a liquid!

Aside from the intake boots, also check out your Intake Boot Synch port caps....those little rubber goodies can harden and even though they are intact and on, they can leak due to stretching, loose fitting!! Cheap Auto store replacements!

Check your vacuum advance hose, it can also get dried/hardened and cracked. Remember, it connects to the metal port on the #2 carb body, not the manifold synch port! Check the vacuum hoses to the petcocks, same scenario!

Loosen the throttle slack adjustment at the handlebar, make sure the throttle plate and assembly is free to turn,not hanging up on anything around the carbs. Might even pull the cable off, and check for stickyness, clean and lube it!

You may also need to pull the carbs to check the jets, with aftermarket pipes, could be running a bit lean!? BE VERY CAREFUL with the idle/pilot adjusting screws on the top front of the carbs, the tips are easily wedged into the body, and then broken off, so to set them....GENTLY seat them....count how many turns it takes to seat them, then turn them back to 1.5 turns to start, and then you can try additional 1/2 turns out to see how it affects the idle, but do a good vacuum synch first!
T.C.