Problem with the dog...not sure how to describe.
- Thread starter linx
- Start date
RADAMS445
RADICAL
Fuel bowl maybe has dirt in it? Clean out the jets? Just spitballing.
linx
Active Member
Well, I think I'm about at the end of my rope here. I'm really lost now.
This morning I went to work and started working on the bike. I took the air cleaner apart, and the air filter is spotless, and has no oil/gas stains or smell.
Next thing was to try and run the bike without the air filter, and that didn't help me.
So I took the plugs out, and they were black, but not fouled, or what I consider fouled...they had no small at all. I went ahead and went to O'Reillys and bought new plugs. I called my local dealer and they told me to gap them at 40, so I did. I reinstalled the plugs, took the dog for a test drive, and it's still shaking/stuttering like hell.
I had to get some work done at work, so that put me 8 or so hours behind on working on the dog.
Next thing I did was go and put the proper air in the tires. The rear was chilling at 42 psi, but the front was only at like 35, so I filled her up to 40. Took the bike for a 10 mile test drive. Still, running like crap.
Next and last thing I did was check the engine mounts...top and bottom. I'm not wimp, and I couldn't get any of them to budge. This is with a ratchet, and even using a ratchet with 3/8 allen for the top bolt. Nothing moved.
I'm no mechanic, but I don't mind working on the bike, and I'm out of my league taking the carb apart.
Last week I had my bike at the shop to jet it, and adjust the clutch cable. They forgot the adjust the clutch cable, so I did it myself, which went ok. Now, as far as the rejetting, the bike ran great for 3 days, I don't really see how it would change in the middle of a ride from the jets, unless one maybe has trash.
I tell ya, something aint right. I'm not bitching about vibrations, b/c I like the bike vibrating. Please don't insult me about that, b/c I really just want to get it fixed. How it feels to me, is if you take a V8, and remove 1 plug. It misses a bit, but not bad enough to run. While reving the motor up, if I keep my hands off the bars (cruise mate), the bars look like they are jumping 1/4" up and down, if not 1/2". The motor feels like it's about to fly apart. I'm afraid something is going to fall apart while going down the road.
I dunno. I'll try something else in the morning, but I'm going out of town around noon tomorrow and will be gone to the inlaws for easter until Sunday night. If I can't figure it out tomorrow, I guess I'll be forced to take it to R&B to see what's up. I hate to b/c I'm low on funds, and that's just gonna burn a hole in my pocket, haha. Not to mention if it's something like the clutch going out, that'll really bite my ass.
This morning I went to work and started working on the bike. I took the air cleaner apart, and the air filter is spotless, and has no oil/gas stains or smell.
Next thing was to try and run the bike without the air filter, and that didn't help me.
So I took the plugs out, and they were black, but not fouled, or what I consider fouled...they had no small at all. I went ahead and went to O'Reillys and bought new plugs. I called my local dealer and they told me to gap them at 40, so I did. I reinstalled the plugs, took the dog for a test drive, and it's still shaking/stuttering like hell.
I had to get some work done at work, so that put me 8 or so hours behind on working on the dog.
Next thing I did was go and put the proper air in the tires. The rear was chilling at 42 psi, but the front was only at like 35, so I filled her up to 40. Took the bike for a 10 mile test drive. Still, running like crap.
Next and last thing I did was check the engine mounts...top and bottom. I'm not wimp, and I couldn't get any of them to budge. This is with a ratchet, and even using a ratchet with 3/8 allen for the top bolt. Nothing moved.
I'm no mechanic, but I don't mind working on the bike, and I'm out of my league taking the carb apart.
Last week I had my bike at the shop to jet it, and adjust the clutch cable. They forgot the adjust the clutch cable, so I did it myself, which went ok. Now, as far as the rejetting, the bike ran great for 3 days, I don't really see how it would change in the middle of a ride from the jets, unless one maybe has trash.
I tell ya, something aint right. I'm not bitching about vibrations, b/c I like the bike vibrating. Please don't insult me about that, b/c I really just want to get it fixed. How it feels to me, is if you take a V8, and remove 1 plug. It misses a bit, but not bad enough to run. While reving the motor up, if I keep my hands off the bars (cruise mate), the bars look like they are jumping 1/4" up and down, if not 1/2". The motor feels like it's about to fly apart. I'm afraid something is going to fall apart while going down the road.
I dunno. I'll try something else in the morning, but I'm going out of town around noon tomorrow and will be gone to the inlaws for easter until Sunday night. If I can't figure it out tomorrow, I guess I'll be forced to take it to R&B to see what's up. I hate to b/c I'm low on funds, and that's just gonna burn a hole in my pocket, haha. Not to mention if it's something like the clutch going out, that'll really bite my ass.
linx
Active Member
Well, I guess it's a good thing I didn't get any of them to move. I'll remember that in the future though!
You may be right. I wish I was more of a mechanic. I've taken the carb apart on a generator and and air compressor before but I had no clue what I was doing, lol...a friend did.
I have no clue.
May be mis-firing. I changed the plugs, but not the plug wires.Is it a vibration or is the engine mis-firing?
I hope not. I ride pretty hard. I have some friends at work that know more about mechanics than I do, and they're scaring me telling me the clutch is falling apart and stuff like that.
linx
Active Member
Well guys I dropped my bike off to R&B Cycles in Nashville this afternoon. I'll be out of town till Sunday so I figured it was the perfect time.
JB was nice enough to take the bike for a ride and took it on the interstate. He agrees the vibration is out of ordinary. He said it was vibrating so much you can't keep your feet on the pegs...which I agree. Plus it feels like the motor is going to fly apart. Also I'm having a little clutch issue and he said it seems like a clutch nut issue.
Just wanted to update you guys. I'll have limited access to the internet the rest of the week/weekend.
I was hoping to do the work myself but my bike is in the hands of the professionals.
JB was nice enough to take the bike for a ride and took it on the interstate. He agrees the vibration is out of ordinary. He said it was vibrating so much you can't keep your feet on the pegs...which I agree. Plus it feels like the motor is going to fly apart. Also I'm having a little clutch issue and he said it seems like a clutch nut issue.
Just wanted to update you guys. I'll have limited access to the internet the rest of the week/weekend.
I was hoping to do the work myself but my bike is in the hands of the professionals.
linx
Active Member
Well R&B has had the bike a week and haven't had a chance to look at it yet.
I'm trying to be positive. I know it's that time of the year, and everyone that deals with summer equipment (Bikes, Mowers, 4-Wheelers, etc) is backed up with the overflow of service calls.
I was wishing I would KNOW what is wrong with it at least, to help me sleep a little, lol. Plus it'd be nice to go riding this weekend.
I'm trying to be positive. I know it's that time of the year, and everyone that deals with summer equipment (Bikes, Mowers, 4-Wheelers, etc) is backed up with the overflow of service calls.
I was wishing I would KNOW what is wrong with it at least, to help me sleep a little, lol. Plus it'd be nice to go riding this weekend.
linx
Active Member
No, but I can tell it was done before I got the bike b/c the rocker box cover bolts are boogered up a little.
linx
Active Member
Well I got a call yesterday from Joey @ R&B Cycles, and he said #1. The carb was all out of whack, and he readjusted it, which I'm fine with. I haven't touched the carb, but whatever, they made that right. They also adjusted my clutch a little farther than I had, and now the bike doesn't creep.
So what about the main problem, the extreme vibration? Well Joey said he test drove the bike, and he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary other than the tank vibrating which could be old bushings. So, I asked him to test drive the bike on the interstate. He's on his way out the door and says he would the next day. So, this morning he interstate test drove it, and noticed some out of the ordinary vibrating. He says he thinks it's the motor mounts so he tries to tighten them, and the top one wouldn't go tighter, but the bottom front mounts he gets 1/2 a turn on them. They call me and tell me to come pick it up.
Well, I picked it up, and I notice almost immediately the clutch is working awesome, and the vibration is almost all the way gone. I was enjoying the ride so much that I rode right at 140 miles anywhere from slow roll, to 85 mph interstate driving and all speeds between on highways and back roads.
I must say I don't know if it's a combination of everything we tried, but it's doing great now. Before, the vibrating would make my feet slide off the pegs, and legs go numb. Now, it's acceptable amount of vibration, like you would expect from a big S&S motor.
I just wanted to update. I don't know if they did something else to the bike, but they say they didn't, and I know I didn't. Who the hell knows.
So what about the main problem, the extreme vibration? Well Joey said he test drove the bike, and he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary other than the tank vibrating which could be old bushings. So, I asked him to test drive the bike on the interstate. He's on his way out the door and says he would the next day. So, this morning he interstate test drove it, and noticed some out of the ordinary vibrating. He says he thinks it's the motor mounts so he tries to tighten them, and the top one wouldn't go tighter, but the bottom front mounts he gets 1/2 a turn on them. They call me and tell me to come pick it up.
Well, I picked it up, and I notice almost immediately the clutch is working awesome, and the vibration is almost all the way gone. I was enjoying the ride so much that I rode right at 140 miles anywhere from slow roll, to 85 mph interstate driving and all speeds between on highways and back roads.
I must say I don't know if it's a combination of everything we tried, but it's doing great now. Before, the vibrating would make my feet slide off the pegs, and legs go numb. Now, it's acceptable amount of vibration, like you would expect from a big S&S motor.
I just wanted to update. I don't know if they did something else to the bike, but they say they didn't, and I know I didn't. Who the hell knows.
