| Author | Message | ||
     Rainman |
does the choke stick on these things? I've never had the issue. Didn't act like the past few boot changes, but cold does weird things. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sounds like a bad safety switch(by what I think I'm reading). Have you flipped the diode or bypassed the kickstand switch? I'd certainly be sure the boot is okay. They'll run cracked, so it'd have to be really bad to shut your bike down. The 'chokes' do stick, not in the same way a butterfly choke sticks, but it will act almost the same. 10,000 miles is time for a new plug and it literally seems at times that the bike knows it! Change it before you pull your hair out. Oil okay? 2 weeks is enough for it to not even show on the frame (empty). You didnt add oil before warming it up? | ||
| Rainman |
Oil's good. About 1,500 on oil change. Acts more like fuel starvation than a switch, I think. It'll move forward and then go, bleh. I'll try the diode first. Then change the plug (pain in the winter.) Put on a new boot ($10, can it hurt?). Is there a way to make sure the choke is loose? Can I spray cleaner or anything on it? It was running so good I can't imagine that it's anything too serious. When it first stalled while warm and riding it acted like it was running out of fuel. | ||
| Jetlee |
Erik: The original subject was the clunk. I gave same example that I slip the clutch to know it's in gear. Most of the debate was about size of friction zone and the Blasts ability to slip the clutch without moving or killing it. I boasted and said that I not only could slip the clutch while standing still, I could get the Blast moving without throttle. I encourage people to practice it (clutch control), cause nothing sucks or is as dangerous as blowing a takeoff as you put it. Even on your own with no other cars, it may cause you to fall over after picking up your feet thinking you're gonna go forward. Rainman: I agree with Erik, it sounds like a sidestand switch issue to me. I would think it's a little hard-starting after it dies because it's a little rich from having the ignition shut off. Is your tank vent clear? (Message edited by Jetlee on January 05, 2012) | ||
| Britchri10 |
It could be a blocked main jet. (Could be a lot of other things too, though!) Spray some carb cleaner into it or run some carb cleaner (seafoam) thru a tank of gas & see if that cures it. (If it sat for a while it could have some "crap" blocking the jet.) Chris C | ||
| Rainman |
Thanks guys. Will take any advice and give it a shot. Two weeks without riding has made me antsy. Guess I'll have to take the Concours to work. | ||
| Swampy |
Rainman, You are my hero! I can barely see my bike it's burried in junk....I was truly expecting the weather to go cold for another 9 months when I put it away and we are getting some pretty nice weather~! The problem you are describing sounds exactly like a bad kick stand safety switch. If it is not bypassed do it now. Will it stall out when the clutch is let out when in neutral? It is the kickstand switch. Good luck | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
There isnt any easy way to make sure the 'choke' (auto enrichener) is loose. It'll either be stuck on, off or somewhere in between. If its stuck on, it will start and ride fine but load up on idle. If its stuck off (no choke), you'll have to let it warm up a bit to move the bike during this cold weather (but I would doubt it would start, unless your running a silly rich slow jet). I doubt it would be the main jet, if anything it would be a clogged slow jet. ....and please resist any temptation to take the carb apart and "give it a good cleaning"!  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Thanks Jetlee. I can see the argument now about the friction zone, but I dont need to watch the youtube clip to see it done | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Rainman: You could unplug the 'choke' to see if that makes any difference in running. That will tell you if its working-though I'm doubting its the 'choke'. Check the safety switches. The reason why your bike doesnt run after 2 weeks of sitting and running fine before that is the same reason you develop an unrelated problem after leaving the mechanics shop: Murphy's Law. Or **it happens! | ||
| Rainman |
Thumper is bone-stock. And the sputtering developed after in motion, following some moron up a twisty hill who couldn't do more than 15 mph in an easily 40 mph area, so the bike was still cold at low throttle. I'll disconnect the sidestand switch and see how that works. I think it may be a case of delayed maintenance delayed too long with plug and not keeping at least 1/2 tank in it. It doesn't usually sit this long. Of course, now that I've moved (change in domicile and domestic situation) I don't have an oak or maple tree and the landlord cut down the cedar. Where there hell is a Blastard to dance naked? | ||
| Jetlee |
Don't dance naked around a pine. Tried that as an oak-substitute; you get needles in places you didn't think possible. Have you changed out the fuel and emptied the fuel bowl? Once you unplug the sidestand, you need to complete the circuit to simulate the stand being up. Bare the wires and twist them together, or use a piece of metal in the plug touching both contacts. | ||
| Indybuell |
Rainman I had something very similar happen to mine. It ended up being the fuel vent tube that runs from the top of the tank right by the cap, and down under the bike. Mine had gotten too close to the head, and had actually melted closed. This created a vacuum in the tank, and caused the same symptoms as you are describing. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
 Clutch diode flip: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/55319.html These days the gas may be too bad and your bike may be too lean in the cold weather with the stock jetting. If this isnt the problem, you still might want to consider bumping it up a notch to #44 slow jet and a half turn on the idle mix screw. But I'd concentrate on finding your problem first. | ||
| Swampy |
Rainman, If you have a stock carb on your Blast, and you are coming out my way again pull it off and we can "Go thru it..." No, really, bring it with you next time and I can put some better jets in it for you. | ||
| Ezblast |
Definitely use an oak tree, a birch at the worst, maybe, but definitely not a pine, and ignore the neighbors with their cameras - lol EZ | ||
| Rainman |
I've got two clothesline poles in the backyard that I think are probably old pine and the neighbor has a spindly redbud. Yup, I'm hosed. Thumper's back at home (thanks AAA) I got it to run for about 1/4 mile before it acted like it either flooded or starved for fuel. 1.5 gallons in tank. Doesn't idle as fast as it used to. Too bad I'm such a tool 'tard. OK, here it goes: Now where's my hammer and gangly wrench? | ||
| Jetlee |
Check your fuel tank vent hose...pull it off and blow through it. So technical, huh? lol | ||
| Johneblast |
Whoa! Put down the hammer and gangly wrenches! We're never to old to learn! Take a deep breathe, relax, and get edumicated. This is the best place for just that. | ||
| Rainman |
Well, I took off the carb and let is soak in some Dawn dishwashing liquid to give it a good cleaning, but that just seemed to make it worse ....... Swapped boots (didn't think it was it) and checked connections. Did the sidestand switch thing, but that didn't seem to make any difference. Runs, idles a little slower than it should at 60 degrees and stalls out as you apply throttle. Removed vent hose to see if it would work without it. Nope. Maybe I should have used a right-handed gangly wrench, mine's a left. Front moved in and cold came. Next 60 degree day it's the spark plug. Need to get an oak tree. At least a 2x4. NOTE: Just kidding about the Dawn. (Message edited by Rainman on January 07, 2012) (Message edited by Rainman on January 07, 2012) | ||
| Ezblast |
hmm, has the bike been out in the rain? Water get in the fuel from an old seal? EZ | ||
| Rainman |
Could be. My new digs no longer has the carport that's at my estranged wife's house. It poured rain for a couple of days, got down to 14 for a couple of days, hit 60 and back down to 20. Didn't get to ride for two weeks and when I did, I got about 1/2 way to work and ffft-ffft-fffft-croak. NOTE: Engine does run with vent hose or without it. Made no difference. Confusing in the last post. She starts, idles slightly off speed when cold and then dies as you give it gas. Think I should drain tank? Carb "seemed" clean, not really gunky and she'll idle OK. Maybe I'll just drain and refill anyway. It can't hurt. (Message edited by Rainman on January 07, 2012) | ||
| Swampy |
The vent hose is not the problem, what you want to do is be able to blow into the tank at the vent hose fitting on the fuel tank. What you are checking for is if air can get into the fuel tank. The fuel system is gravity fed and if air can not get into the tank then the fuel can not get out. | ||
| Jetlee |
Expanding on what Swampy said...with the hose attached (cap off), you're testing the vent valve by blowing into the tank. | ||
| Rainman |
Vent hose on, vent hose off, hose on/cap off, makes no difference. Starts, idles, on application of throttle it stumbles, crumbles and dies. Acts like it's starving for air or gas, but air line is good, fuel line seems clean. Will drain tank and change plug next chance I get in weather. Was 60 degrees yesterday when I was working on it so it had optimum weather for running. I'll blow on the hose and see if that works. Waiting for the neighbors to go to church, though. Wish I had mechanical skills instead of being so damn good looking. (Message edited by Rainman on January 08, 2012) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
"Well, I took off the carb and let is soak in some Dawn dishwashing liquid to give it a good cleaning," Well thats just great, now I've spewed coke all over my screen and keyboard!!! Plug and new gas sounds good. | ||
| Ezblast |
Empty float bowl if you can as well - lol - and don't forget a motorcycle part to wave around as you dance around the tree - loll - you might want to think about replacing the tank seal, new screws, blue locktight,and soak the cap in gas to lubricate and renew its seals - lol careful. EZ | ||
| Rainman |
I have the belt I replaced last year. You should have seen the looks on the neighbors as I danced naked around the clothesline pole swinging the belt around my hip like a hula hoop. Did you know that you get free internet access in jail? | ||
| Ezblast |
Then your set for life! - lol EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
And replacing that seal every 5 years or so may not be a bad idea either! - lol EZ |
