86 1200 dead in the water

[CONLEY]

Okay so not in the water but still dead left for work this morning got about 2 miles from home lost power bogged down and died went to try and restart and noting wouldn't try and crank over lights on so I have power its a new battery but when I do try 2 red lights came on not sure what they were just left it and walked home with my head down I'm guessing its electrical but not sure is there a relay or anything that typically goes wrong with these or do I ha e to push fat sweaty Betty home up hill any help would be appreciated thanks I will get more info tonijght when I get home

[moparman70]

well the last symptom is what you get when you are in gear and your side stand is down.  You will see the fuel light and oil level light come on and nothing will start.   The first symptom could be a lot of things from loss of fuel -- vapor lock too same thing.

When you go back make sure the kick stand is up and in neutral -- if that is ok it still could be a bad kickstand switch but beyond that I have to leave the suggestions up to the rest of the team.

If it does crank over -- open the fuel cap -- if it was a vapor lock then that problem will be corrected.... you may want to switch to reserve too.

some basic stuff here but you'll kick yourself if you don't check the easy stuff first

stevecc

[Dan Filetti]

Also, check that the starter switch is not partially stuck in, like the side stand switch, this will prevent the bike from starting "suddenly"

Good luck!

Dan

[Flying Scotsman]

Dualsport machines I like and I like trial bikes.
Julien Dupont has some good video out.

new clip of trial freestyle with Julien Dupont

[Flying Scotsman]

Sorry posted in the wrong thread 

[Mark Olson]

if the gas tank is only half full this can cause shutdown if you have a vent problem or fuel routing kink.

add gas and see if it starts. if the low fuel light is on hit reserve button.

does the starter turn ? or just nothing but lights on dash.

the kill switch can get sticky as well as the start sw. as others have mentioned.

make sure you are in neutral with the clutch lever pulled in. 

[CONLEY]

update

what a week first bike breaks down the truck blows up then bike stolen then truck im borrowing wheel cylinder blows out the bike returns but about 30 feet from where it was stolen and a bit further in the wood but still there then boss shorts me on my check what a week

sorry had to vent but the bike turns over i did get it to start but she aint right. start her up and floor it shes stays at 1200 rpm and after a min of holding it wide open she finally revs up for a second the goes back down i think its a fuel problem i have to spray starting fluid in her to start. tried opening the gas cap to vent it but didnt help im going out there this weekend going to fill her up completly with gas and bring the jump box and see what happens any help would be great thanks guys

[Klavdy]

update

What a week.
First, the bike breaks down then the truck blows up then the bike was stolen.
Then the truck I'm borrowing wheel cylinder blows out
The bike returns but about 30 feet from where it was stolen and a bit further in the wood but still there The boss then shorts me on my check.
What a week.
Sorry, had to vent.
The bike turns over, I did get it to start but she aint right.
When I start her up and floor it, shes stays at 1200 rpm and after a min of holding it wide open she finally revs up for a second the goes back down.
I think its a fuel problem.
I have to spray starting fluid in her to start.
I tried opening the gas cap to vent it but didn't help.
I'm going out there this weekend going to fill her up completely with gas and bring the jump box and see what happens.
Any help would be great, thanks guys

Fuel filter may be clogged,fuel lines may be kinked.
Sounds like a fuel delivery problem.

[RichBaker]

Sounds like a kinked, non-stock fuel line, to me.....

[JFox]

At the begining I was thinking that is ignition problem, but if you run engine and after while it shut down I agree it's fuel supply problem. Problem with ignition would be more constant. Of course you may check spark on spark plugs and measure high voltage wires by ohmmeter.
Do you have fuel pump? I don't think so. Originally our FJ are similar - in this case. And originally our FJ have no fuel filter. I know it's safer for carburetors. If I'm right you should remove or change fuel filter. I had the same problem - because of fuel filter I couldn't achieve reserve, and after some distance engine stopped. It was ok only when fuel tank was full. After fuel filter change I can see reserve indicator As it was mentioned above kinked fuel line gives the same effect, but it's so obvious and I'm pretty sure you've already checked it.

Jarek

[andyb]

Re: 86 1200 dead in the water

Well there's your problem.  It's a streetbike, and unsuited for water use.  Suggest getting a jetski or the like instead.

Absolutely sounds like a carb problem of some sort or another.  May not be purely a fuel delivery issue (air also has to go through them things) but odds are good that a careful carb strip with good reassembly (including line routing and a petcock check) would sort you out.  Don't torch the battery by continually trying to restart it, incidentally.

[Mark Olson]

remove the gas tank and hook up an auxiliary fuel source to feed the carburetors .

then run the engine. if it works then you know for sure it is a tank or fuel line problem or petcock.

[moparman70]

I have found that if you don't have OEM  lines routing the lines can be difficult as the NON oem line typically are rubber with the fibre in them and make them less flexible to so achieving the circular pattern the 86s need results in kinks.  When I had issue I purchase the OEM ones -- they are thinner and more flexible but also be careful as they cut or sliice easy.

stevecc