Haven't yet been able to ride, still waiting on fairing to come back from paint. Bought a new battery, charged it, then installed and let the bike run for a little while. The bike ran started right up after being stored for the winter and ran great. After getting home that night there was a puddle of gas under the bike and the shop had a strong stench. I was too tired to look into it and put it off till the morning. Well my dad noticed it and "turned off the gas" what he actually did was turn the switch to prime. When I got there about an hour later gas was dripping constantly from the airbox drain. He said that it was leaking from there to begin with. I know that sitting on prime can flood the airbox and a stuck float needle will also.
Managed to get it started (had to run it at full throttle) and ran it for a few minutes and it was still leaking. She was smoking like crazy and running like only one cylinder was firing. Came back this morning the leak had stopped and the bike started right up smoked a while then ran perfectly. Ran perfectly at idle for 20 minutes or so.
My question is, I was going to dig into the the carbs to check the float and jets then the bike miraculously fixed itself. Should I still check out the carbs? Plugs?
leaving the bike on prime is only an issue if you have a leaky float, as you do. what your dad actually did was turn the bike from "prime" to the on position, where the petcock must have vacuum from the motor to allow fuel to flow. so just leave it in the "on" position all the time, as it will turn itself off and on automaticly, and get that leaky float fixed.
Take your carbs apart and check the float needles. They should be conical in shape, no step or groove in the end of it. Pull the float valve seats and check the o-rings. If they are hard or cracked, replace them.
Our carbs usually don't flow fuel into the cylinder, but it could happen. I suggest you remove the oil dipstick and sniff for gasoline in the crankcase. If it's in there, change the oil.
Im changing the oil this week sometime. Also i was wanting to check the air filter. Does the gas tank have to be removed to access the carbs and air box. I havent had a chance to look at it very closely
just have to remove the 2 bolts on the sides and lift it up to remove the filter....four screws holding it in place
ran into a similar problem. ended up being the fuel line running from the tank to main petcock feed was cracked. so anytime there was more then a half tank of gas the added weight/pressure would force gas out the cracked line.
on a more related note, if your float valves are sticking open and your petcock in the prime position then fuel will continue to drain until theres none left :cry: and if you ride like this it will dump fuel on your back tire and not be fun (ask me how i know, it sucks) also check your carb upper vent tube. if it is clogged it will create an air pocket in the carbs that makes the floats stick open.
as far as being familiar with the bike, i had mine torn down the first day i bought it for just that reason. good luck with it :thumb:
Just to repeat what Paulcet said, make sure you check there's no fuel in the oil. If there is it thins it out so that it doesn't lubricate or cool properly, your clutch slips and you get oil leaks from seals that usually hold. I discovered my contaminated oil at the end of a long ride when I could actually smell gas in the oil leak that was spitting out my shifter gasket onto my boot. My clutch wasn't holding in 6th by this stage and needless to say my engine was a little warm. I changed the oil straight away or the next stage would have been serious engine damage.
Gstwins helpfully pointed out the leaking fuel tap when I was trying to find the source of this problem. Don't ride with petrol in your oil.
Changed the oil after work. Nothing that wasnt supposed to be there.
how does it run now? Don't take it apart if it runs as it did before storage.
When I started it after changing the oil I got one good backfire that caught me off gaurd even though I probably should've expected it. After that it wouldnt idle and died the moment I gave it any throttle. After it warmed up it ran and idled fine. Once I get my fairing back and get it insured again I'm going to have a mechanic check the valve clearances and floats. I don't much experience with carbs other than just cleaning. Also I dont have the calipers needed to properly adjust them. Still no more leaks, so thats a good thing.
i might be going threw the same thing here but when i have it in the on position it stops sending gas when i start gettin my speed up(70+) and the bike dies...only way to get it going is in prime..any reason for that????