she won't start now

[5speed]

well I tested the vacuum on it and fuel flows when I pulled vacuum..
so I put a small funnel in the fuel line and poured a bit of gas directly into the carbs and it started. so before I ran it dry I put the gas tank back on, it started right up and was idling good with the choke on. I let it idle for a few minutes, turned the choke off and it wouldn't take any throttle and quit.
choke back on, start it and it wouldn't take any throttle still. then the low fuel light came on and it quit.
Put more gas in the tank and it's back to starting and quitting immediately.
I double checked to make sure the vacuum line was on correctly and it is.
this makes no sense to me..but neither does how the reserve actually works either. If it's drawing fuel from the same source as the main or "on" position..why is it even there?

[Pat Conlon]

this makes no sense to me..but neither does how the reserve actually works either. If it's drawing fuel from the same source as the main or "on" position..why is it even there?

Unlike the old school manual reserve petcocks where you have 2 inlets, one high and one low...the 86/87 petcock only needs one inlet.....it's the fuel level sensor in your tank that signals the electric valve on the petcock when to close.

Hook up an auxiliary tank to your carbs see if that helps.
I think your vacuum petcock is not staying open....what does your tongue say?

I gotta run....I'll check back this evening....later gator.  Pat

[5speed]

Unlike the old school manual reserve petcocks where you have 2 inlets, one high and one low...the 86/87 petcock only needs one inlet.....it's the fuel level sensor in your tank that signals the electric valve on the petcock when to close.

Hook up an auxiliary tank to your carbs see if that helps.
I think your vacuum petcock is not staying open....what does your tongue say?

I gotta run....I'll check back this evening....later gator.  Pat

LOL..my tongue isn't saying anything. I'll hook up my actual vacuum tester and see if it's holding vacuum.
So if I understand it..the reserve toggle switch just opens the valve when the fuel is low enough to trip the solenoid in the petcock. A sort of heads up warning that you are getting low on fuel. Redundant redundancy. 

[giantkiller]

Unlike the old school manual reserve petcocks where you have 2 inlets, one high and one low...the 86/87 petcock only needs one inlet.....it's the fuel level sensor in your tank that signals the electric valve on the petcock when to close.

Hook up an auxiliary tank to your carbs see if that helps.
I think your vacuum petcock is not staying open....what does your tongue say?

I gotta run....I'll check back this evening....later gator.  Pat

LOL..my tongue isn't saying anything. I'll hook up my actual vacuum tester and see if it's holding vacuum.
So if I understand it..the reserve toggle switch just opens the valve when the fuel is low enough to trip the solenoid in the petcock. A sort of heads up warning that you are getting low on fuel. Redundant redundancy.  

I just changed mine to a pingle. Removed the  upper black wire mesh on the side panel. ( if I remember right you have to bend it down. It's been awhile. ) you don't even notice its gone. Then you can reach in and shut off turn on.  Got sick of having my crank case filling with gas.
Randy sells the  pingle. With the correct adapter plate.

[FJmonkey]

Hook up an auxiliary tank to your carbs see if that helps.
I think your vacuum petcock is not staying open....what does your tongue say?

I gotta run....I'll check back this evening....later gator.  Pat

LOL..my tongue isn't saying anything. I'll hook up my actual vacuum tester and see if it's holding vacuum.
So if I understand it..the reserve toggle switch just opens the valve when the fuel is low enough to trip the solenoid in the petcock. A sort of heads up warning that you are getting low on fuel. Redundant redundancy. 
[/quote]

If you have good fuel flow and no vacuum leak then your issue may be trying to idle off the choke. Tis would be an issue with clogged idle jets and is very common with our crappy gas. 

[5speed]

I just changed mine to a pingle. Removed the  upper black wire mesh on the side panel. ( if I remember right you have to bend it down. It's been awhile. ) you don't even notice its gone. Then you can reach in and shut off turn on.  Got sick of having my crank case filling with gas.
Randy sells the  pingle. With the correct adapter plate.

I have the rebuild kit from Randy. I'll attempt that first. I'm one of those "keep it original if at all possible" guys.

[5speed]

If you have good fuel flow and no vacuum leak then your issue may be trying to idle off the choke. Tis would be an issue with clogged idle jets and is very common with our crappy gas. 

If it's that..it happened really quickly. the bike started up and idled off the choke great when I moved it to the garage. It sat for about a week then this all started. But that would be my luck. lol

[Old Rider]

You might have a fuel starvation if you have the fuel line routed like in the picture you posted in this tread :http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=19883.30
The fuel line have to go under the 2 lines that go to carb 1-2 and 3-4

[5speed]

You might have a fuel starvation if you have the fuel line routed like in the picture you posted in this tread :http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=19883.30
The fuel line have to go under the 2 lines that go to carb 1-2 and 3-4

I'll try that if the petcock passes the vacuum test tomorrow.

[Pat Conlon]

I'll hook up my actual vacuum tester and see if it's holding vacuum.
So if I understand it..the reserve toggle switch just opens the valve when the fuel is low enough to trip the solenoid in the petcock. A sort of heads up warning that you are getting low on fuel. Redundant redundancy.  

If you have good fuel flow and no vacuum leak then your issue may be trying to idle off the choke. Tis would be an issue with clogged idle jets and is very common with our crappy gas.  

Yes, that's how I understand the electric reserve functions, good description: redundantly redundant.
If the petcock checks out and holds a vacuum and stays open...and you correctly route your fuel line.....then Mark's comment about plugged idle circuits may be the next step.
Don't get discouraged...

Don't let that big lump of aluminum idle too long without a box fan cooling it down.

Cheers

[Old Rider]

  Don't want to be picky ahole  but when i take a look at your picture of how the fuel line looks i can see an obvious and 100% cause of fuel starvation. The line is too long so after routing it under the 2 lines that goes down to the carb 1-2 and 3-4 you should cut it about where the green line is.When you look at the line from above it should reach about to the middle of carburetor 1 vacuum lid where the  red dotted line is.
I also se a problem with the ziptie where the arrow pointing it will  maybe compress the line when fueltank is mounted .
A typical symptom of kinked fuel line is the bike runs for some kilometers / minutes then bogs down when trying to give it trotthe then when waiting some minutes the bike runs for some kilometers and the same happens been there done that  

[ribbert]

I just changed mine to a pingle. Removed the  upper black wire mesh on the side panel. ( if I remember right you have to bend it down. It's been awhile. ) you don't even notice its gone. Then you can reach in and shut off turn on.  Got sick of having my crank case filling with gas.

Dan, why wouldn't you use a vacuum or electric flow valve, once fitted you never need give it another thought for the life of the bike, no need to turn on/off every time you ride/stop.

Both have been done successfully by members and proven over many years of use and as the default is closed, you never have to worry about a crankcase full of fuel or contaminated oil again, ever, nor will you wake up at 3.00am wondering if you actually did turn the fuel tap off or what ignition sources might lurk in the garage that could ignite 20 litres of gasoline fumes and launch you into the next suburb.

A quality fuel shut-off solenoid can be bought for under $30.

Noel

[5speed]

Don't want to be picky ahole  but when i take a look at your picture of how the fuel line looks i can see an obvious and 100% cause of fuel starvation. The line is too long so after routing it under the 2 lines that goes down to the carb 1-2 and 3-4 you should cut it about where the green line is.When you look at the line from above it should reach about to the middle of carburetor 1 vacuum lid where the  red dotted line is.
I also se a problem with the ziptie where the arrow pointing it will  maybe compress the line when fueltank is mounted .
A typical symptom of kinked fuel line is the bike runs for some kilometers / minutes then bogs down when trying to give it trotthe then when waiting some minutes the bike runs for some kilometers and the same happens been there done that  

not being picky at all.
I did cut the fuel line. I took that picture before I did. I'll check that zip tie but I'm pretty sure it isn't squeezing the fuel line.
I'm at a loss about routing the line under the lines to the carbs..with it being gravity feed I would think having the main line above the t would work better then having it under it.
Heading out after coffee #1 to do the vacuum test.

[giantkiller]

I just changed mine to a pingle. Removed the  upper black wire mesh on the side panel. ( if I remember right you have to bend it down. It's been awhile. ) you don't even notice its gone. Then you can reach in and shut off turn on.  Got sick of having my crank case filling with gas.

Dan, why wouldn't you use a vacuum or electric flow valve, once fitted you never need give it another thought for the life of the bike, no need to turn on/off every time you ride/stop.

Both have been done successfully by members and proven over many years of use and as the default is closed, you never have to worry about a crankcase full of fuel or contaminated oil again, ever, nor will you wake up at 3.00am wondering if you actually did turn the fuel tap off or what ignition sources might lurk in the garage that could ignite 20 litres of gasoline fumes and launch you into the next suburb.

A quality fuel shut-off solenoid can be bought for under $30.



Noel

Sounds like a good idea.  I didn't know about them. I have done the go back and check thing. Where does one get a good quality one?  Thanks Noel.

[5speed]

okay..it won't hold vacuum.
so I put Randy's kit in and it still won't hold vacuum. tested the vacuum hose..no cracks or leaks.
Now this is where I "think" I may have found the problem..
I took the solenoid out of the petcock, pushed the plunger down with my finger and..it holds vacuum.
At first I thought it may be bad so I tested it with my 2 amp battery charger and it pushed the plunger out (causes it to lose vacuum). tried the wires the other way, it pulled the plunger in (creates vacuum).
So I tried it on the bike..won't hold vacuum with the ignition on and the toggle switch on either "on" or reserve. so I tested to see if there is power at the plug and there is.

So here is where I think "maybe" the issue is. The fuel gauge doesn't seem to be working which makes me think the bike is sending a signal to the solenoid in the petcock to open causing a loss of vacuum. I checked the fuses and all are okay.
Is there a known issue with the fuel gauge on these bikes?
Am I getting close to the problem?
Am I way out in left field?
will the Toronto Maple Leafs win the cup?    <- these emoticons are hilarious.