Silly Piston??

[Raptor]

When i was rideing my xs about a week ago i noticed that the bike was lacking power and sometimes i could feel a power surge so i decided to check my pipes by touching them and behold one of them (the far right) is cool enough to put my hand on for a brief second or two, i checked my spark and its really strong, so im wondering what the problem could be, and if i need to take it in to the shop would it be safe for the bike to ride on 3 cylinders?
-Thanks

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Raptor,

This is the XS11's list, not the "Triples" list!! Just kiddin' ya there. If it was only for a few miles, most folks would tell you that it would be okay to run it gently that way to the shop, but then most folks will tell you NOT TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP!!!!

It's most likely a fuel supply problem, but you'll want to trouble shoot everything, pull the plug and check to see if it's fouled, you've already checked for spark in the wire, now on to the carbs. Check for a vacuum leak around the intake boot, is the rubber stopper on the port tube cracked, broken, loose? Next, is the float working on that carb, or more likely the needle valve, clogged inlet screen around needle valve seat. Pull your carbs being as careful as you can not to tilt them too much to spill the contents of the bowls, then pull the #4 bowl, that's the one farthest right as sitting on bike, assuming that was the pipe you described as being cool....if you were sitting on it, vs. off and looking at it!? Measure how much fuel was left in it, then pull the #3 bowl and see how much, if lots more in #3, then something is keeping fuel from getting into bowl/carb! Good luck, and get your hand dirty!!! It's fun!

T.C.