Help!!When I got it over there and parked it I noticed that there was steam or smoke coming out of t

[Gmutoagrsv]

I need help. I am so confused. I have been fighting to get the bike running right. I have taken it to two separate shops which were unable to get the jetting right. After the first shop it's seem to be running a little better. The second shop didn't do much of anything. I started tinkering with the Excelerator pump air fuel and idle. I noticed that the line between the right side of the gas tank and the carburetor was capped off. So I went to the auto store and grabbed a new hose and reconnected with that had it running really really good. No issues whatsoever slight but not really noticeable dead spot. I was able to ride it all over town without any issues. Yesterday I was taking my son for a ride and between 10 and 15 minutes it started sputtering and dying. I managed to make it another 10 minutes to the gas station assuming I was out of gas. I want to start the bike after I filled it up and it wouldn't start or it wouldn't start but wouldn't keep running more than 30 seconds. Fortunately there was an ace hardware in the same parking lot so I went over there to get a small screwdriver to toy with the settings again. When I got it over there and parked it I noticed that there was steam or smoke coming out of the air cleaner. It was not hot or anything.I messed with it for 45 minutes or so while missing with it I was getting some backfires a lot of popping and backfiring through the carb. I finally got the bike to wear would run at idle for a few minutes And I Went to go so we could continue our ride. We left the parking lot and it was still spitting sputtering and dying and I made it maybe five minutes further having to keep the revs up to keep it running. I pull down a side Street and back at square one. I continued tinkering with it and then riding around it was still sputtering for about 45 minutes. I had my son call his mom to come pick him up and just left the bike to sit for about 20 to 30 minutes she came picked him up. I prepared for a ride home but thought I would give it one more shot and try to nurse it home. It started right up idled nicely and didn't seem to have any kind of dead spot. I rode the bike home and it ran absolutely amazing. Very very small stumble but did not impact anything. I got it home and pull the plugs and they did not look bad I thought they were going to be fouled. the tips of both plugs were a light white The bottom of the thread's were a little sooty but not wet at all and did not look bad. There is no spackling and did not look bad. There is no speckling or And not much color on the electrode. the plugs have only been in for about 50 miles. I have not checked it today. I just want to get a little feedback before I do to try to get some ideas as to why it would just randomly do this. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Mr. Wright]

I don't think it was vapor locking, because it still ran bad after you put fuel in it, but check this anyway. Remove your gas cap, and if it still has the little white insert in the middle of the cap, unscrew it and throw it away. Also drain your fuel tank, and pull the peck cock out and check for debris around the screen.

 

[Matheny 514]

I don't think it was vapor locking, because it still ran bad after you put fuel in it, but check this anyway. Remove your gas cap, and if it still has the little white insert in the middle of the cap, unscrew it and throw it away. Also drain your fuel tank, and pull the peck cock out and check for debris around the screen.

 

[Mr. Wright]

That's the one. Loose it.

 

[Matheny 514]

That's the one. Loose it.

I felt like the picture would help others

 

[Gmutoagrsv]

I thought about vapor lock at first for a minute or two but I wasn't writing long and it wasn't too hot. But update I went out today rode for two hours and it ran like a dream so I wonder if it was just a fluke or what the deal was but it is crystal clear now

 

[BWG56]

I thought about vapor lock at first for a minute or two but I wasn't writing long and it wasn't too hot. But update I went out today rode for two hours and it ran like a dream so I wonder if it was just a fluke or what the deal was but it is crystal clear now

Could have been simply bad gas or some water in the tank

 

[Gmutoagrsv]

I really don't know but like I said I rode it yesterday and it was just incredible and I rode for a long time. I hope I have it squared away. I don't want this to be unreliable.

 

[Gmutoagrsv]

Yet another update I rode the bike around yesterday no issues at all ran amazing I rode it around today hopped on the freeway cruised around parked for a little while and then came back hopped on the freeway again within about 5 miles of getting off of the freeway it started sputtering and missing and dying again I pulled over gave the air fuel screw a half a turn and it ran good again I was coming up the hill and it seemed to cut out more in a lean but it would still die and when I came to a stop I switched it on the reserve in case I was out of gas made no difference at all I stopped and got dinner took about 20 minutes I fired it up and started heading home made it two blocks and it started again it died on me two or three times before I got Home which is probably 5 miles from where I had dinner all this happened within the quarter throttle not getting on it hard 25 to 3500 rpm's I tried changing gears tried everything. The big part is that it is actually dying when I got home I pulled the plugs and it looks like it's running slightly lean any ideas?

 

[Big D Florida]

Yet another update I rode the bike around yesterday no issues at all ran amazing I rode it around today hopped on the freeway cruised around parked for a little while and then came back hopped on the freeway again within about 5 miles of getting off of the freeway it started sputtering and missing and dying again I pulled over gave the air fuel screw a half a turn and it ran good again I was coming up the hill and it seemed to cut out more in a lean but it would still die and when I came to a stop I switched it on the reserve in case I was out of gas made no difference at all I stopped and got dinner took about 20 minutes I fired it up and started heading home made it two blocks and it started again it died on me two or three times before I got Home which is probably 5 miles from where I had dinner all this happened within the quarter throttle not getting on it hard 25 to 3500 rpm's I tried changing gears tried everything. The big part is that it is actually dying when I got home I pulled the plugs and it looks like it's running slightly lean any ideas?

Hard to diagnose without being right there, because there are a few variables. Let's try to eliminate a few possibilities, so we have a better idea where you're at with it.. Have you done all the following?
1. Checked your gas cap like Mr Wright and Matheny 514 posts above suggested ? Can you blow through the vent ?
2. Have you checked the petcock screen for debris or a slimy green substance (indicating tank liner peeling) ?
3. Have you checked the fuel line routing from the tank to the carb, to insure it is not in contact with the cooling fins on the jugs?
4. Did you ever find out what jets are in it ? If so, what sizes are they ?
5. What heat range plugs are you running ?
6. Did you actually take the carb apart, check the float operation ?
7. Are you certain about the "on" and "Reserve" positions of your petcock ? All the way back should be "on", middle is "reserve", all the way forward is "off" , on mine.
8. Is it fresh gas ? If so, what octane and is it ethanol or non-ethanol ?
9. How old are the plug wires ?.
10. When you "tinkered" withe accelerator pump and fuel mixture, how far did you turn those screws ? The mixture should only have been an 1/8 to a 1/4 turn (counter-clockwise richens). You may need to adjust idle after setting mixture. Adjusting the accelerator pump changes throttle response, not so much how it runs.
Remember, make small adjustments, 1/8, or 1/4 turns at a time.
11. Is the white plastic cap still on the mixture screw, when you are turning it?

 

[Mr. Wright]

Only two things, fuel and spark. Coil could be heating up and breaking down, but I leaning towards fuel. Pull your petcock and see if it's dirty. Fuel tank liner could be coming apart.

 

[cdogg556]

Do you have the original EHC?
Also did ya check all connections? Even under the tank? I had a wire come loose under the tank once and it was just enough to only do it intermittently, might be worth removing the tank and checking the wires, sometimes they wear thin under there also.

 

[BWG56]

Hard to diagnose without being right there, because there are a few variables.
1. Checked your gas cap like Mr Wright and Matheny 514 posts above suggested ? Can you blow through the vent ?
?

The vent is a one way valve to let air into the tank as gas is used, so you have to suck air thru it. As mentioned before, did you try loosening the gas cap when it does this?

 

[cdogg556]

The vent is a one way valve to let air into the tank as gas is used, so you have to suck air thru it. As mentioned before, did you try loosening the gas cap when it does this?

I am not sure, but this does not sound like a fuel related problem, I think it's electrical by the what he's say'n is happening, but like I said before, wtf do I know anyways!

 

[BWG56]

I am not sure, but this does not sound like a fuel related problem, I think it's electrical by the what he's say'n is happening, but like I said before, wtf do I know anyways!

But he never said if he tried loosening the cap either, simple things first.

 

[Big D Florida]

The vent is a one way valve to let air into the tank as gas is used, so you have to suck air thru it. As mentioned before, did you try loosening the gas cap when it does this?

I was thinking that, but typed something else...lol. It was early when I posted that. I did pretty good spelling and such, considering...lol.

 

[woodbutcher]

don't know if mine is the odd man out, but, on my petcock, the reserve is all the way forward, off is straight out (middle), and on is all the way back. OE.

 

[PROFLYER]

I think you're running out of fuel. Many reasons for this, start at the top and work your way through the carb. Start with the cap, then the petcock (tank liners are famous for breaking down) then the line to the carb (make sure it's routed over the intake then down to the card, if it's between the jugs and then to the carb it can literally boil the fuel once it gets hot). Once you know all that's good take your bowl off the carb and go from there. Also check to make sure the intake seals aren't leaking as that'll cause a lean condition. Get a propane torch and run the propane (don't lite it) and hold it around the intakes with the bike running. If your idle rises, fix those seals.

As intermittent as your issue is I don't think it's the carb settings, I think you're running out of fuel for some reason.

 

[Big D Florida]

don't know if mine is the odd man out, but, on my petcock, the reserve is all the way forward, off is straight out (middle), and on is all the way back. OE.

Yeah... that's what I meant...lol Some are different.
7. Are you certain about the "on" and "Reserve" positions of your petcock ? All the way back should be "on", middle is "reserve", all the way forward is "off" , on mine.
Mine has it stamped right on the petcock.



And before y'all chime in about it... yes, I know it isn't clean, but I just rode in the dad-gum rain...lol.

 

[Chuck Hughes]

I would say either vapor lock or something in your tank. Are you 100% sure you didn't hook the overflow/vent line to the carb? Cause I had similar issues with mine when I first got it, and when I pulled the tank off, the overflow/vent line was capped off. Ran a longer line and it was fine since. When inspecting this issue, I also noticed that there was a lot of debris in my tank. They use a coating inside these tanks that the gas actually eats away and will leave chunks floating around the inside of your tank. I still say it's vapor lock though. These tanks aren't set up to BOTH go to the tank, one side has the petcock, and the other tank feeds through the connecting line. You need a breather line. It's probably running better after it sits cause the pressure has time to drop.