What does it sound like?

[greg maz]

I got this bike started after a good 15 years:

http://web.mac.com/gregmazz/Site_2/Blank.html

but it dies without choke and chokes with throttle

one pipe is hell louder than the other, but no apparent noise from the upper engine (or else where)

[fredintoon]

Hi Greg,
is there supposed to be sound on that clip?
From what you describe, check that each plug is sparking and that all cylinders are firing and then clean the carbs (as in totally dismantle and blow carb cleaner through each and every little jet & passageway) and if you have already cleaned the carbs, do it again.

[greg maz]

that clip has sound & lasts 55 secs

- if somebody knows about a freeware to compress movies -

let it download for a couple

carbs where dully cleaned

[jjwaller]

Trust me, do it again!
I thought I did it right th first, (or was it the 2nd time ) Convinced myself it was blown head gasket, that it was still not running right.
Yes it was low speed jets and ports that was causing the problems.
Yank Them and clean the low speed ports again. And while you've got them off, Clean them again!!!

[prometheus578]

"It's starving fer fuel."

carbs where dully cleaned

You should have paid a little more attention.
Carbs are meant to be cleaned with vigor and enthusiasm, not done dully.
Perhaps you meant "duly"... in that case, I suggest that you "do-ly" your carbs again.

Yeah, it's carb related.
Starving for fuel can mean jets and orifices still plugged.
Can also mean, after 15 years, petcocks plugged with rust(open the drain bolts on the float bowls and make sure each carb has fuel.)
Your exhaust is louder on one side as the quieter side has one, maybe two cylinders not firing or firing sporatically. Again, carb related.
Try to keep the engine running long enough to heat the pipes. Lightly spray each header with water... the pipes that don't sizzle are the dead ones.

Also, you may have the carbs way out o' synch.
Did you forget to turn out the pilot circuit screws?(idle mixture)
Could also be valve clearances causing it not to run on all cylinders, but... my money's on the carbs.

[TomB]

carbs where dully cleaned

With F next to D on the keyboard, maybe

Fully cleaned

[jdsmithinc]

Prometheus is a Genius

They are right about the carbs. Mine was doing exactly the same thing. It was running on 2 cylinders. I thought I had a bad head gasket but turned out to be just the carbs. When they say clean them, and then clean them again, they are not kidding. I cleaned mine a total of 6 times before they straightened out. Oh by the way good English teachers are always underappreciated (lol). I did a lot of reading on this site about my bike (first time owner). There is a whole lot of very useful info on here. If you happen to break a float perch I have a few spares if you want one (you pay shipping). I broke one and had to buy a whole set of carbs because I could not find a single one and they are just sitting there. I did learn that if you take a small drill bit a little smaller than the pin and lightly tap it out you will not break one. Hind sight is 20/20.

[planedick]

Synch

Synchronize those carbs after the cleaning or it will run like s**t anyway.

[mro]

bike started after a good 15 years

Out of curiosity,
Have you checked compression?
Getting spark on all four?
what's the condition inside the fuel tank?
have the fuel lines been changed?
did you bench synk the carbs?


mro

[greg maz]

whatever it takes to get rid of my chevrolegs...

as seen on pix here:

http://homepage.mac.com/gregmazz/xj11/

the tank got por15ned

the right petcock is leaking I am missing one of these little translucid o-ring, the left reserve screen might still be a little clogged - there was only 1 gallon in the tank in order to test it

the fuel lines are to be replaced too ( by some hose sold by the feet from the auto shop I guess)

I tried replacing the diaphragm, couldn't put the new one in but it looked and worked ok. I don't think it causes trouble but I'll make a topic out of that when I get back to it

the carbs were the first thing I did 3 months ago, and even though I thought I'd cleaned every little passage with chem and compressed air, I let them sit I'll do them again for sure, I just couldn't picture myself taking them out and back in again - I wish I had japanese fingers and their sense of overachievement

but come to think of it, I didn't disassemble the upper parts

the video you saw was taken the 2nd or 3rd time I started it, I haven't a chance to sync or do anything to it - not that I would know how to yet

otherwise, if I get you guys right - somewhat:

it's supposed to be loud

there is little conflict with opening the throttle with the choke 1/2 up

all rite will do my best on the rest this weekend

BTW I have been working blindfolded and alone on this for 3 months, thanx for support & spelling

[egsols]

Sounds simple but I always check for kinked lines. I know on my special, yes it still has the octo, my left side didn't seem to be firing like the right, turned out the left side lines had a slight kink keeping the fuel from flowing properly. I now have compression springs over the lines to prevent kinking.

Just one of the many items on an XSIVE check list.

[mitch]

Carbs

Greg
go to the left of this page and click on Tech Tips
Then click on Maintence
Then click on Carbs
read ALL the info on there twice then do your carbs
Not being a smart ass before i read this info i cleaned them 5 times ....read the info and then cleaned them for the last time!
If you never removed the Tops then you cant get the Imulsion Jets out to clean them. Good luck. you will be shocked at how hard these old bikes pull when they are set up right
Doug

[greg maz]

can't wait for that

thanks guys

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Greg,

That's just Prom's way of saying welcome to Carb HELL!

As for the fuel line, it would be better to go to a local MC shop to get the proper type of line, or IIRC, a NAPA store for some VW fuel line, 1/4" ID. Auto line is either too thick, or they will sell you vacuum hose instead of fuel hose, and it's the type of rubber that will NOT withstand fuel, will harden and crack, leak, and possibly lead to a FIRE!

Hang in there, but as has been said, you really need to fully disassemble ALL of the parts of the carb, the pilot jets, the pilot screws, the main jet/nozzle and make sure all of the fine aeration holes are truly clean and open using an old toothbrush that you can push into the holes to be sure they are open!
T.C.

[greg maz]

Kinky

it was kinky for #2

fuel injection hose caked itself in a weird manner

& small side hose had micro leak

#1 got spark and at least 1 moving valve

eng revvs 5 or 6 k easy before misfire or erratic valve noise

I'll try seafoam for this carb

a bit of everything really...