CARB/ RUNNING PROBLEM

[LA Mike]

My brother's '93 is having problem dieing, the only way to keep the bike running is with the choke pulled out. Is this a fuel level(floats) or a pilot jet size issues???  We put the engine back in the frame after 2nd gear fix three weeks ago and now he is trying to tune it and get it running again. Thanks in advance for all and any suggestions.

His setup is as follows: carbs are stock except for 117 main jets, 40 pilot jets, uni pods and 2 turns out.

LA Mike
 

[FeralJuggernaut]

How long was the bike 'offline' before the gear fix?  full carb cleaning and following Dr Raforth's carb guide to the letter and they will be fine.   Just a quick thought, is the battery at full charge and A-OK?   I know with my Dyna, if the battery gets too low, idle goes to crap...   Another random thought, since the cases were apart, double check that the crank sensor is lined up properly and tightened down.  If timing were out just a tad, that could be explained by only running in a rich condition.  Again easy to be off a tad if using the Dyna stuff.    I just know OK!        When it does run on the chock, does it sound 'right'?   As opposed to maybe running on 2 cylinders?   Throttle response OK on the blip test?   

[andyb]

All good advice, but one other thing to check before all others:

Try different gas.  Different brand, fresh, etc.  I've had some bikes that simply would NOT idle on anything but good (shell, BP) gas.

[simi_ed]

BTDT.  Sounds like plugged pilot jets to me.  I'd get new jets (NOT FROM THE STEALER!!!) and follow Dr Raforth's instructions.  I always try to store the bike with Stabil, and use a fuel cleaner religiously (like Amsoil P.i. Performance Improver <http://tinyurl.com/ntnwc2>

[LA Mike]

The carbs have Dr Raforth's kit in them, I put it in 3 months before we pulled the engine for the 2nd gear problem. He drain the fuel out of the carbs while the 2nd gear was being fix; it was about 8 months that they were on the shelf.

Maybe I'll have him send them to me and I'll clean the again like I did when I put the kit in, I can't go to Phoenix this time a year its 110

[FeralJuggernaut]

I'm in Southeast Phx  (Chandler specifically).  Since it already has the Raforth upgrades, I'd be willing to go through them again if need be...     "Phoenix this time a year its 110"    only 110,  that is what we call morning!             The trick is  to pull them off at dawn, and take them into the house where the gas smells mix with the A/C.  Then put them back in the next morning.   The test drive is really the tough part.   I'd get it running, then it will sit for another eight weeks waiting for temps to drop below tire boiling point.

Hey, wait a minute...   MARSH!  send a rescue party to LA Mikes, someone took over his keyboard.   A tough guy that can fly solo across the country for a rally can't stand a little desert heat.... 

[LA Mike]

Driving solo across the country is a piece of cake compared to pulling an engine out of the frame when it's 116F.   After doing that I don't think I'll ever go back to PHX to work on his bike when its above 100F.

[simi_ed]

Mike, it sounds like your PHX window runs from about Dec1-Jan31.  Anything outside of those dates and you're in danger ...

[LA Mike]

From November to mid April the weather is tolerable.

I go out in November an we do an annual ride. Its warm but not that blazing heat that they are having now. We head north towards Flagstaff which usually has cooler weather.

[RichBaker]

 104F at noon in Tucson today, 4-6F warmer in Phx...... glad I don't live there anymore!

[FeralJuggernaut]

bump for a status update...  still need a hand on the west side?    It was remarkably  cool today!  Only like 103 deg F.   

[FeralJuggernaut]

Is the West side FJ still not a happy bike?