Did I break something?

[bloodywrench]

I was on a ride with one of my buddies and my xs was running fine.

I thought it would be a good idea to juice it from a stop sign... through third gear, but then I noticed she was running rough.

Now this is what I know, #4 is misfiring (exhaust cooler than the others).
If I open the throttle more than like 1/3 it smooths out. I tried changing out the plug but it didn't help. plug is wet.

Any ideas?

[stevec5000]

Stuck float or leaking needle valve maybe?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bloody,

What Steve said, sounds like that carb is flooding for SOME reason! I had a sticking float that would cause severe low rpm throttle bog, but once I got it up into and above the 3k+ rpm range getting into the mains, then it would clear up and run strong.

You haven't provided much info though, like are you running inline fuel filters? How old are the fuel lines? You might have even stirred up some rust/debris in the tank that got down into the carbs and is preventing the float needle from properly sealing in the seat!?

You can try tapping it with a rubber/dead throw hammer to see if you can unstick the float. Or you can drain the carb bowls and check for debris. You can then open the fuel lines to Prime to try to FLUSH out the debris now that the float has dropped due to the loss of fuel from the bowl!

All else fails, pull the carbs and check more closely and thoroughly. You could also try putting some SeaFoam or equivalent into the gas tank and running it a while, might help clear out some varnish/gum that may be partially clogging things!?
T.C.

[bloodywrench]

No fuel filters, stock fuel lines from '80, tank is clean.

I'll try the tapping the carb tomorrow

the last couple of tanks I've been running seafoam in it, hoping I wouldn't have to take the carbs out as I forgot to winterize my bike.

[fredintoon]

how clean?

Hi Kelly,
from what you say, your bike has acted like grandpa's cardio-vascular system did when he bedded that teenager. Your gas tank is nearly 30 years old and I'd suppose it ain't as clean inside as it once was. OK then, seafoam flushes crud from the tank into the fuel lines and as you have no in-line filtration the crud ends up in the carbs where it bungs up #4. Look up all those good words about cleaning your carbs.

[dbeardslee]

If you didn't winterize and let it sit with fuel in it, the float bowl orifices may need some attention. I did the same thing this past winter and mine got a little crudded-up there. Took the bowls off and cleaned the orifices and it straightened right out.