new problem...got caught in the rain... (Electrical?!)

[DiverRay]

You know, I got PSYCHED when I took the seat out yesterday. NOTHING was getting through there. Cleaned it; excitedly put the carbs back on. STILL THE SAME THING.

Did you have the fuel line off so you could run some fuel and SEE that it's working? If the screen was plugged, there may still be junk in the "T" fitting on that side.
A quick test for valves, when you have no tester, is just pull all the plugs, and put your finger over the plug hole in #2. Crank the engine over with the throttle wide open and see if you can keep your finger on the hole.(Don't forget to ground the plug leads!) Try it with #1, and if there is a noticeable difference, you may have valve problems.(may just need adjustment)
If not much difference, then it should be carb issue.

[ERM83]

Guys....guys....GUYS.........!!!!!

I sprayed a little of seafoam topend cleaner inside the boot of #2...noticed it was leaking out of the bottom of the boot?! After boiling the float (which was totally fine!), reassembled everything, sealed the boot, and started her up...SHE ROARS. JUST THAT LITTLE GAP was the problem. Just for good measure, I did the topend spray a bit more, and it runs like a BEAST. It feels RIDICULOUSLY POWERFUL now.

I swear...the Jurassic park theme was playing in my head when I revved'er, and rode to work. I GOTTA update my picture of SG soon. Thanks for all the info, guys...learned a LOT!!!

Eric

[BA80]

I sprayed a little of seafoam topend cleaner inside the boot of #2...noticed it was leaking out of the bottom of the boot?!

Leaking at the seal at the head?

[vedgar]

spark plug.

Is it wet or dry ? Need to know !

[vedgar]

sorry

I did not see your final post of the bike running. I can sleep now.

Remember, I am not harping on you. Basics basics basics. Spraying a little carb cleaner into #2 gave you the answer you needed. Sometimes the problem can be twofold. cleaning the screen and fixing a vacuum leak was the answer.
Vance

[ERM83]

I did not see your final post of the bike running. I can sleep now.

Remember, I am not harping on you. Basics basics basics. Spraying a little carb cleaner into #2 gave you the answer you needed. Sometimes the problem can be twofold. cleaning the screen and fixing a vacuum leak was the answer.
Vance

ALLLLLL GOOD for now, and thanks for your help!!!! The plug was dry...going to run a bit tomorrow, pull them, and aptly tune!!

Leaking at the seal at the head?

Yep...there's the hook that I thought (???) for the vac advance that was supposed to be screwed in on the bottom hex bolt on boot #2, but don't see that necessary as there's already a hook before that, and my hose is relatively new. When I checked the boots (two weeks ago, the first time), I thought that came out with that bolt. As soon as I nullified that and did as I said above, the thing fired to life like no other. The lip seemed to protrude outward a bit, and this is a temporary fix (I'll deal with getting that friggin' thing off when I get new boots soon). Just got home from work, and it's running GREAT. I wish one of you lived here, just to see how it's running, and give me real-time pointers. It's seriously running better and stronger than ever. PLEASE tell me if I'm missing/screwing up something.

[mschor]

Great thread guys, I'll be refering back to this regularly as I sort out the problems I'm running into on my 81 SH!

[vedgar]

plug check

Good man. The plugs are the first line in diagnostics.

[TopCatGr58]

Just wanted to toot my own horn...occasionally I do get one right!

Have you checked the intake boots and their mating to the head? The bolts can loosen, but also the mating surface can dry/crumble and create a vac. leak. I used Yamabond/Threebond when I put my new ones on....or you can add a gasket and sealant. Also the synch port cap...is it hardened and possibly leaking.

Have you checked the #2 carbs throttle shaft seals for vac. leaks?

[3Phase]

Way to go, T.C.!

[ERM83]

HAHA, there's a handful of people that have been on this site FOREVER, and OBVIOUSLY they're the ones to nail it!

I went for a rip with my brother last night (PERFECT WEATHER!!), and I can't reiterate enough...it's SOOOOO FRIGGIN' FAST NOW. All the frustration / misdiagnosis / carb work was WORTH IT. My brother just got a 2008 nightster 1200, and I LOVE dusting him at stoplights (granted, I'm the better rider out of us both .

One LAST thing...when I reset the idle screws...out a turn and a half to start. When I set all of them (turning them in until the engine reacted), number two went all the way to lightly seated, and no change in engine behavior. Wanted to ask before I REALLY dial everything in meticulously.

And, yes...mschor is right. GREAT thread, because of the knowledge gained on here. DEFINITELY bookmarking this!! Maybe soon I can start on the 79SF project?! That thing is going to be a ripper...will make a thread about that as well!

Eric

[motoman]

HAHA, there's a handful of people that have been on this site FOREVER, and OBVIOUSLY they're the ones to nail it!

I went for a rip with my brother last night (PERFECT WEATHER!!), and I can't reiterate enough...it's SOOOOO FRIGGIN' FAST NOW. All the frustration / misdiagnosis / carb work was WORTH IT. My brother just got a 2008 nightster 1200, and I LOVE dusting him at stoplights (granted, I'm the better rider out of us both .

One LAST thing...when I reset the idle screws...out a turn and a half to start. When I set all of them (turning them in until the engine reacted), number two went all the way to lightly seated, and no change in engine behavior. Wanted to ask before I REALLY dial everything in meticulously.

And, yes...mschor is right. GREAT thread, because of the knowledge gained on here. DEFINITELY bookmarking this!! Maybe soon I can start on the 79SF project?! That thing is going to be a ripper...will make a thread about that as well!

Eric

#2 all in till lightly seated, and no change means teeny o-ring on recessed adjustment screw is bad and not sealing, or just missing. Also, just prior to o-ring should be a teeny thrust washer(thrust washer before o-ring, in that order).

[ERM83]

#2 all in till lightly seated, and no change means teeny o-ring on recessed adjustment screw is bad and not sealing, or just missing. Also, just prior to o-ring should be a teeny thrust washer(thrust washer before o-ring, in that order).

motoman...one of the problem-solvers I was talking about! Can you post a picture of the said seal / location?? It seems dumb, but I'm more of a visual person...

[motoman]

motoman...one of the problem-solvers I was talking about! Can you post a picture of the said seal / location?? It seems dumb, but I'm more of a visual person...

No pic., but presuming from bike type listed, it still has original carb assembly. If so, unscrew that particular recessed idle mixture screw all the way out to remove. Slid onto bottom side of that idle mix. screw is first the teeny thrust washer followed with the teeny o-ring. If o-ring is hardened or fubared, vacuum will be drawn by it causing the issue your having.

[3Phase]

It's not stock, '79 carbs on his '80 Special == no tiny o-ring.