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

[ERM83]

Had to come back to this thread, because remember how Greg said initially moisture screwing with the neutral circuit?? That did indeed happen the other night. Got soaked, but fixed it because of everyone's help on here. THANK YOU ALL!!!

It was crazy...on and off heavy rain, but the MAIN concern was the lightning! "I'm working on a grinding machine made of mostly metal, and full of flammable fluids...WHAT'S THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN?!?!"

[motoman]

Scott, Thanks for the carb yr. correction! Then beings the early model carbs, possibly a broken idle mixture screw tip or vacuum leak around carb boot mount on head side.

[3Phase]

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

[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.

[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]

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]

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

[3Phase]

Way to go, T.C.!

[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?

[vedgar]

plug check

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

[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!

[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.

[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

[vedgar]

spark plug.

Is it wet or dry ? Need to know !

[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?