600cc headache

[Melnhot35seR]

Thats what my husband calls it! His 600cc headache. So we picked the bike up 10 days ago, patched a hole in the crankcase and after a little trying got it started. The PO had told us it hadnt been started in about 6 months. As it sputtered along here and there and wouldnt start other times we started to do some more investigating. As with aything new we have, he changes fluids... emptied the tiny bit of gas and put new in, all new oil, filter and coolant. We put in a new battery and spark plugs. We thought ok, maybe it just needs to get the old gas out of the system. Everyone said the carbs need to be cleaned. My husband cleaned them, he is no professional but with a very helpful manual for that bike he got it done. Put them back on and it ran good, then ran like crap. He has proceeded to take them off a few times and everytime he messes with anything on it it will run good for a little bit, maybe it will run 20 minutes then all of a sudden it starts to die down and cut off. Yesterday he got a new fuel filter. As he took the old one off he said... you've got to be kidding me. The old one was on backwards. Now he put the new one on and it ran fine for about 20 minutes, then he cut it off and waited a little bit and restarted it and it ran fine again. We are going to restart this morning and see what it does, but does anyone think the fuel filter being backwards would make it run funy or cut off, or is there still something we havent figured out? I have read the fuel filter being backwards could make it clog easier, but it didnt look bad when he took it off. Thanks for any insight... he has never worked on a carburated bike and is just trying to learn it now too.

[Astir]

What kind of choke does it have? Can you see a difference in the color of the exhaust once it warms up? From your description, it sounds like once the engine is warm, maybe something with the choke mechanism isn't working as it should. The choke restricts air and increases fuel mixture. Neither are good for a warm engine to run properly.

Although 20 minutes makes me a little nervous about this answer.

[KCDakar]

Filter on backwards. :slaphead:

Here is what I would do if this was my bike. I would start at the top and work my way down.

1. Take off the tank disconnect the fuel lines and completely clean it out and dry it. Inspect the inside of the tank for any rust or pealing liner.

2. Take all fuel lines and petcocks and clean them, blow them out with compressed air. (or replace)

3. Rebuild carbs. That said, carbs can be very finicky if not done right. It only takes the smallest detail missed and they can run poorly.

Also a fuel line that has been miss routed and in a place that gets to hot can cause a lockup of the system. So check the routing. Oh, and check that the fuel cap is venting!

I know this sounds like a lot of work but it is what I would do. Running poor after 20 minutes sounds like a clogging issue. I have dealt with that many times in the past and with you finding the filter on backwards I bet you are looking at crap in the system.

Good luck. I know you will find the issue. Just let us know what you do find...:thumbup:

[Inky]

Also some of the older bike had these tiny little breather holes around the gas cap. Check to see if those are blocked. Some of the old bikes need a breather hole to make the system work.

Good luck!

[Luna Tique]

I do hope the advise here helps solve your mystery problem
Good Luck and as everyone has said Keep us posted on your progress.

[KansasKawboy]

I would check the valve adjustment, it sounds like they maybe to tight and when it warms up they get tighter.

[Melnhot35seR]

ok, so maybe we have it. So far so good after fiding the backwards filter and putting a new one on, it has run well for a full 24 hours and started up everytime we have started it. Thats better than the first 10 days we had it, lol. Fingers crossed it keeps it up! Thanks for the info so if for some reason it decides to act stupid I have other options to tell my husband to try.

[gypsyangel]

Probably just the filter being on backwards was the issue, but always good to change all fluids and spark plugs on any bike that's sat. Don't forget the brake fluid as it builds up water over time and flush your coolant.

Depending on the type of fuel filter, some have a trap door type valve built into them that let's fluid run one way, but not the other. Could be,just enough fuel was getting through to get it going,but once the pressure built up,the trap door would close.

Another info tip, depending on the type of air filter, make sure it's clean and if it's foam, don't over soak it or your bike won't be able to breathe.

Bike's are pretty simple machines and when they don't run ALWAYS start with the basics - Fuel, Air and Spark. Is it getting spark? Battery OK?Check the spark plugs. Are they the right one's for the bike? Fouled? Can you arc a spark or check the connection with a volt/ohm meter? Next move on to fuel. Pretty easy to see if bike is getting fuel or not. Make sure the fuel is on.Check the lines for crimps. Make sure the fuel filter isn't clogged. If your Carbs are fouled, you'll usually find out at this step. Finally Air. Is the air filter clogged or over oiled? Is a vacuum line pinched or off? Exhaust pipe clogged with old mouse nest or have they decided to take up residence in the air box? After you've eliminated the prime 3 (remember fuel,air,spark) then move on to more complicated matters. I always start simple and it has yet to fail me. BTW if you try to start the bike and get nothing (no click or engine trying to turn over) check the red button on your right handlebar (guilty :D: ) or perhaps you tripped the tip - over sensor, turn key to off then lock then back on again. This will usually reset it.

Okay, I'm getting wordy.

Hopefully it'll run like a champ now. Enjoy.

[Melnhot35seR]

Looks as if we have it all together now. Just took the carbs being cleaned, everything new on it (fluids, plugs, filter and battery) Since the 26th when I said it was starting up everytime, it has!! WHEW! Now I am just waiting on my links and the class.... oh and all of this snow to melt!!! Thanks for all the help!

[indianscout]

Good to know you got the bugs out of it! Sometimes one can over think the problem but doing everything you did to it perhaps has prevented any problems in the future. I don't see any harm from the filter being on backwards. Good luck and have fun with it!!


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[Luna Tique]

! Now I am just waiting on my links and the class....

And we are just waiting on your picture of it all back together:thumbup::D:

How much snow did you end up with?

[KansasKawboy]

:rofl:

[Melnhot35seR]

I've taken months off here (sorry everyone, summer with two active little boys, I am never home enough to do anything on the computer) With that being said my bike is still acting up!! My husband has done all kinds of things and can not figure it out. We think we may have one last option (stator) but here is a a brief of whats its acting like and whats been done. When the bike would get hot and the fan comes on it would get sputtery and shut down. It always would start right back up. So we have a shop around here that will "talk out your issues" for free (lol) and the man said he really thought it was in the fan circuit if we had a new battery in it (and we did all new fluids and battery and all that when we got it) So, we got a new fan.... but no help. Then researching online we discovered that these bikes have this issue alot... next thing that came up was the voltage regulator. We got an after market one, because they are made with cooling blades, unlike the original part. Still no good. Then someone mentioned that it could be a grounding issue, so my husband worked with the wires, no help. Then he moved it out in the open to keep it a little cooler in case it was getting to hot, no help. :( Needless to say we are frustrated. I can only ride if we go nonstop, no lights, and no traffic (which doesnt happen often around here) So it has mainly been night riding on the interstate. I have been very limited with what I can do cause the bike will cut off if I am at a light or in traffic. We keep searching everything we can online and cant find anything else. My husband is a car technician, and does all the work to his bike, but these two bikes are his first experience with working on bikes.... so he wants to learn and not give in and take it to a shop. Anyone ever heard of anything like this? ever had this problem? Last resort is getting a new stator but we think that if it was that going bad it wouldnt hold the charge for days inbetween startups. I only start it about twice a week, since I cant ever really ride it anyhow. :grump:

[ridingAK]

How frustrating! I'm no help with mechanicals, but I'll send some good karma your way!:zen::meditation::zen:

[Melnhot35seR]

Thanks!! It is driving us crazy!

[indianscout]

You say that is is common with this model, have you called a dealer and asked about it? Or perhaps checked on other motorcycle sites to see if anyone else has found the problem? Just saying that if you are not the only one to have this problem, then perhaps someone else has figured it out. Sorry I'm not much help here as your bike is too modern for me.......:lol:

[KansasKawboy]

It sounds like it might be an ignition problem. The fan comes on and and the voltage drops at the ignition module.

[Luna Tique]

:shrug:I don't know anything either but I would try what KK says He is very knowledgeable about motors and how they work.

If that does not solve the problem as IS says go to a motorcycle forum specific to your bike model I am sure someone there will have the answer if it is indeed a common issue.

Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

:hug2: and some wrenching :riding::zen: coming your way

[Melnhot35seR]

We are members of a cbr forum, thats where we have heard it was the regulator. We are just trying everything anyone has said they had a problem with, lol. One thing at a time I will have a new bike before I know it! :)