I'm Trying but: I could use a little help to get me on track

[Rickrod3]

Hey guys:

Thanks for all your brain power. All the posts make valid points.
Like choke pulling from the bottom.
I have been suspect of my float height as Biker Phill said he had to set his @ 22 (mine is @24)
I think I'll PM him to ask him the symptoms his bike was displaying which lead him to set them @ 22 I also read in a carb manual that was put together on an other site for XS650's which use BS38's and BS34's which stated the 34's with plastic floats should be set @ 22

Other than the 3 or so Times I have recently started the bike it has not run in some 25 years or so.
I picked it up in July with a stuck engine.

I realize that the pickup wires are a common problem on these bikes but from what I read that the bikes would usually Idle and then when reved they would start to cut out.

When the bike is warmed up on the choke the the bike seems to be able to be reved without it cutting out
The brainstorming is great since I want to go back into the bike with a plan and a theory as to whats wrong.

Keep the cards and letters coming
Rick

[Rasputin]

As I understand so far....NO synch of any kind has been done... Has there been at least a bread tie synch done. I know it does not idle so that makes it hard to synch, but the bread tie method at least gets me running. Any carb work will disturb the synch. If two of the butterflies were shut right off or opened too far the others would have to work hard to even try to keep it running.

[Larrym]

Legends Have Spoken

Hey guys:

Other than the 3 or so Times I have recently started the bike it has not run in some 25 years or so.
I picked it up in July with a stuck engine.

Rick

Rickrod3,

Makes you wonder just why someone would let a superbike sit idle long enough for the engine to seize up, eh?? I say if these bikes run..then we ride'em. If they don't run then the PO's try to do something to get'em back on the road. That's the point where things can take a wrong turn and the next owner starts comparing the former owner to SpongeBob SquarePants.

I say that prob'ly something went haywire and the guy rolled it outside and left it. Could have been carbs, electrical, or mechanical. The mystery is still yet to be solved even though you've taken care of the "seized" part of the problem.

Sorry about mentioning that you may have the wrong jets and then saying "do a search". (That's like saying go-to-heck-and-hunt-for-it...) Thing is that I had already found that info about the "wrong jets" before. I just didn't save where it is. That's changed now:

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...%26L+pilot+jet

Now there's no turning back for me. I'll have to organize folders, bookmark posts, and keep them handy when needed. I think I'll miss the days when I could reply with "Saw somethin' about somethin' .....somewhere on this site or maybe another....prob'ly with pic's or diagram's IIRC: Use the search button and you'll find it."

It's not too bad though....I still get to make myself look smarter than I am by continually quoting or referring back to TopCat, Ken Talbot, or any other REAL Gurus or Moderators

[Rickrod3]

I say that probably something went haywire and the guy rolled it outside and left it. Could have been carbs, electrical, or mechanical. The mystery is still yet to be solved even though you've taken care of the "seized" part of the problem.

The bike was owned by one other person. It came from Texas he rode it till around 84 then he went overseas and the bike sat till I asked him to sell it to me. Maybe he doesn't remember but I don't think it was on of those bikes abandoned due to a problem. I know him for about 10 years of doing business with him. He is a real bike enthusiast he owns around 12 bikes a mix of Harley's & BSA's & Triumphs he is a life member of AMA.

As I understand so far....NO synch of any kind has been done... Has there been at least a bread tie synch done. I know it does not idle so that makes it hard to synch, but the bread tie method at least gets me running. Any carb work will disturb the synch. If two of the butterflies were shut right off or opened too far the others would have to work hard to even try to keep it running.

I never removed them from the bank so as not to disturb the original sync I will do search for the bread tie sync and prior to installation will do it.
Rick

[Rasputin]

I never removed them from the bank so as not to disturb the original sync I will do search for the bread tie sync and prior to installation will do it.
Rick

I have always had to loosen the screws holding it to the angle iron to get the float bowls off. I have watched as I tightened different areas and have seen the throttle shafts move. A search of the bread tie synch method will produce far better descriptions than I will give so that is a good idea.

Did a quick search and found this for you...http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88

[Larrym]

A welcome surprise...

The bike was owned by one other person. It came from Texas he rode it till around 84 then he went overseas and the bike sat till I asked him to sell it to me. Maybe he doesn't remember but I don't think it was on of those bikes abandoned due to a problem. I know him for about 10 years of doing business with him. He is a real bike enthusiast he owns around 12 bikes a mix of Harley's & BSA's & Triumphs he is a life member of AMA.

Rick

Rickrod3,

I did think of that one scenario of a soldier/owner going off somewhere to serve out of country but dismissed it as a low probability. Prob'ly cause most of the scenarios I've had to deal with were like the one I mentioned: neglect, abuse, the typical "worst case."

I'm pleased to hear that my assumption was wrong. That's good for you, the bike, and the prior owner. Should make a great story to share with other riders when sipping a cold one at the end of the day too.

[DGXSER]

In my opinion, taking them off the rack or not, does not change the need to synch them. JAT

[oseaghdha]

In my opinion, taking them off the rack or not, does not change the need to synch them. JAT

Tru dat.
I throw the gages on every time I mess with it. Sometimes, just because I can. Part of general maintenance.

Still sounds like mostly low speed circuit problems tho.

[Rickrod3]

I'm a little optomistic

Thanks again guys, I appreciate your thoughts and experience.
I want you guys to know I understand that the carburetor need to be properly synced and it will be done.

My goal at this time is to get the engine running enough so that I address the other issues that a bike that has not run in 24 years has. Once it can be riden I'll come back and sync with gauges and color tune.

Well I was able to put in a little time last night. I decided to check my float heights while the carbs were still on the bike.

Connecting a tube to the #1 float bowl drain and setting the petcock to prime very little fuel came out. I checked the fuel pipe from the petcock and I could see a good kink.
I fixed the kink and flow became what I belive to be normal.
Gas levels in 1,2,&4 are about where the screw head is holding the float bowl #3 is a little higher.

I also decided to check the plugs Plugs 1 & 2 were not so carboned up 3 and 4 had considerable more.

It was too late and too cold to try the bike around 11PM so after work today I'll give it a shot.

Since the float heights are different the carbs will no doubt have to come out again. When they do I'll bench sync before putting back.

I'll let you guys know
Rick

[DGXSER]

The kinked fuel line may well have ben your issue.

[Rickrod3]

If I could kick myself I would!

The kinked gas pipe for #1 & 2 seem to be the main issue along with backing out the Idle screws another 1/4 turn.

once the bike is road worthy a sync and a color tune and it should be lethal.
Doesn't feel too bad now.

Well its off to lube the final drive and rear wheel bearing.
Repair rear brake and replace the rear tire.(the tire replacement will count as one of my workouts)
Then the same process to the front.
At some point I'll need to check the pick up wires and the charging system.
I'll be logging some time in the man cave and, here as well.


Thanks again guys
Rick

[bikerphil]

Glad you got that carb problem sorted out. Sometimes it's the simplest thing that is the hardest to find.

[Larrym]

Case Solved?



So, I s'pose I should add "kinked Fuel line" in the Top Ten List, eh??

[Rickrod3]

So, I s'pose I should add "kinked Fuel line" in the Top Ten List, eh??

I think you had 8 so there is room.

What lead me away from gas supply was that I originally started the bike with the tank from my XS650 and I think (who knows maybe they were n't) the lines were laid out fine.
I guess it was a trouble shooting reaction: If the same problem with 2 different tanks problem must be some where else.
I did have to back out the idle screw 1/4 turn and went 1/2 turn on the stop screw.

I've been fixing things long enough to know these things have a way of hiding themselves.

Rick

[Schming]

I knew it...

was suckin' too much air Son of a gun. I'll have to remember this one. Glad You got her runnin' Rickrod. I learn somethin' new every day so I'm done early today

When I greased my front and rear sealed bearings I carefully drilled a small hole in the seal just big enough so the needle fitting on my grease gun would fit and gave it a shot of grease, rotated, grease, rotated, grease, etc. HTH