I thought I was I done with all the problems from my bike, but it doesn't seem that way.  Tomorrow I go for my motorcycle license and I take my bike up the road today just to get more practice in and to work on the maneuvers that need to be done for the test.

Well aren't I the lucky guy.  The freaking bike is running on one cylinder, so I'm assuming it's a carb problem, it won't hold idle and whenever I do a quick stop the stupid thing stalls.

Ugh, it's really hard not to curse this bike to hell.

Oh yeah, when I disengage the choke the RPM's don't fall back down and it stays idling at 5K RPM.

check the vacuum line on your left carb to the petcock.  a vacuum  leak will cause a horrible idle, while your at it, check the plugs, should be a bright blue spark

I think it's the vacuum b/c we disconnected it and put a cap on it as a temporary solution.  I need to head out and get spark plugs and it hopefully it will be running better. 

Also, I just went out on the street and it seems to be running fine and on both cylinders.    I must have gremlins.

It's always an easy test to swap spark plugs side to side when you are running on one cylinder to see if it's a plug issue.

My personal experience has always been clogged carbs when I run on one cylinder.  Did you add a fuel filter last time you had it apart?

Good luck!

-Jessie

Motorcycle tests make me hate life. I have my license so it shouldn't ever be an issue again, but when I took the MSF course and passed with a perfect score, it didn't count because I didn't have my permit for 6 months and was under 18. Anyway, we took the course, the test, then we goofed around and they taught us things like figure 8s.

Next I went to the DMV for my test, got it scheduled, showed up, and realized I forgot my check book. It's a check/money order only deal there, so I went to the desk to have the guy tell me how much the test cost so I could run and get a money order since I still had a couple minutes. The guy refused to answer any questions, and said I had to take a number and wait in line. Well assuming DMVs in the rest of the country are the same as PA, you know that's a joke considering my license test was scheduled in 15-20 minutes. My next idea was pretty genius. I hopped on my bike, rode to mcdonalds to use the pay phone, I figured I'd call, ask them how much it was, since they couldn't make me take a number over the phone, then go to get the money order. No phone book at the pay phone. Couldn't find another pay phone, so I rode 20 minutes home, got my check book, rode back, 20 minutes late at this point. The guy looks at me and says "you're late, you missed your test", I said "I had to run home and get my check book", and he answered with "For what? the test is free." THE TEST IS FREE?!?! THE TEST IS FREE?! YOU TRIED TO MAKE ME TAKE A NUMBER AND SIT IN LIKE FOR AN HOUR ISNTEAD OF TAKING 2 SECONDS TO TELL ME THE TEST WAS FREE?!!

Anyway, attempt 2, I show up on time, know it's free, and can't do figure 8s inside a coned off parking space. My fault for assuming that the DMV test would be the same thing as the MSF test, but seriously, why would they give you two different tests, and why would MSF only teach you figure 8s as a free time activity if it's something the rest of the cycling community is required to know? it's like the parrallel parking of the motorcycle world.

Finally the next time I pass find and have my license, but still, what a hassle.

My wife did the same thing with the MSF class. She got her permit, and signed up for the classes to learn how to ride, but because she was under 18 and hadn't had it for 6 months, she didn't get her license, even though she passed the test, so now she doesn't even have a permit anymore.

What exactly is the point of a 6 month limit on your permit before you can pass that test for your license? Are they trying to encourage people to ride around like a jerk with no clue how to ride safely for 6 months before it's worth signing up for the course? The other option is to get your permit, sit on it for 6 months, and then sign up for the class so you can get your license? although at that point, what was the point of having your permit for 6 months if you weren't supposed to use it anyway. The Penn DOT employee in charge of common sense needs fired.

Sorry for the threadjacking, but I saw a license test complaint and my brain just jumped on it.

ttfour: Well I wasn't really complaining about the licensing process b/c here in MD you only need your permit for 2 weeks and then you can schedule a test, but that sucks for you.  A lot of hassle for missed opportunities.

Jessie:  The thing is that it's running fine now, so I don't know what's going on.  I do need to get the fuel filter, but never had the chance to get to the store before my Dad fixed it.  Do you remember the test b/c online it has the manual which has a test, but there is also a PDF that shows the test, but with less stuff to do?  I also need to buy a socket wrench.

I took Franklin for his test a few weeks ago and it really hasn't changed much in the 10 years since I got my license.  One positive change is the test is now given by a regular DMV employee instead of a state trooper.  Nothing like a state trooper with a clip board in front of you to make you feel calm...  Let me know when you are free sometime and we can set the test course up in a parking lot to practice.

As far as your bike, my experience has always been the carbs are clogged.  You may have some rust in there clogging up the jets.  Definitely add that fuel filter if you take it apart again.  Later

-Jessie

To be honest ,over here is alot worse , from 16 u have to do CBT which seems like your MSF, costs 80 pounds , that last for 2 years ,  u are aloud 125cc or 13 bhp then u can take your motorbike test at 18 , thats 150 pounds just for the test , for the 3 day course its something like 600-700 pounds , u pass , your then restricted to 33 bhp , u have to wait 2 years before u can even ride something powerful , a GS unrestricted is to powerful if your under 21 , over 21 u take the same test but u can ride anything ,

man that sucks, I took a written test and then a driving test and they were free.

My driving test consisted of going down an access road for 2 miles then u-turn and come back to the DMV.

damn, all I did was take the MSF course and that cancelled  out the driving portion of my test, then I just took the written test and paid for a new license.  easy as pie.

tt_four:  Maryland doesn't do the figure 8's like PA requires, you just have to turn in and out of box.  A friend of mine has a kid that is a phenominal rider.  He was a better motocross rider at 12 than I ever was.  He cleared everything on an 80 that I could on my 250.  He got into street bikes and stunt riding once he turned 18 and is every bit as impressive on the street.  He could not do PA's figure 8's on his Ninja though, it was impossible with it's turning radius.  He ended up having to borrow one of my bikes to pass his test.

-Jessie

Well I passed the test.    It was easy....no points marked against me.

Now, the bad news.  After waiting at the MVA for an hour I get my license and head out to my bike.  Guess what?  Speedometer doesn't work,  so now I have to drive home without any indication of speed.  I just went with the flow of traffic.  The bike was also stuttering on the highway and so I pulled off and then it stalled when I engaged the clutch.  I know now that the carbs will need to be cleaned yet again (third times the charm, right?).  I also thinks there's a vacuum leak. What's the petcock most people use off the Honda? I don't understand how crud can get through the filter in tank. 

This sucks.... every time I have something good going, there's always bad news.

Congratulations Victor!  Let me know if you want some help with the carbs, I have no real plans this weekend.  Later

-Jessie

I'm using a petcock of an 06 on mine, I dont have any problems with it, and I like that I dont NEED to turn it to off when Im done riding for the day

Congrats on passing the test.  Now you won't have to wait for Jessie to pick you up for our next Meet & Greet. 

QuoteI know now that the carbs will need to be cleaned yet again (third times the charm, right?). 

What does the inside of your tank look like? Rusty? Clean? Black goop at the bottom?

-Porkchop

Quote from: Porkchop on September 02, 2009, 01:54:27 PM
Congrats on passing the test.  Now you won't have to wait for Jessie to pick you up for our next Meet & Greet. 

QuoteI know now that the carbs will need to be cleaned yet again (third times the charm, right?). 

What does the inside of your tank look like? Rusty? Clean? Black goop at the bottom?

-Porkchop

It's been lined recently, and by recently I mean last month.

Thanks Jessie.  I have nothing to do either, so maybe I'll give you a call.

I picked up an extra fuel filter today, let me know if you need it.  I may be working Saturday until 4 but otherwise no set plans.  Later

-Jessie

Quote from: ver4 on September 01, 2009, 02:31:31 PM
........................After waiting at the MVA for an hour I get my license and head out to my bike.  Guess what?  Speedometer doesn't work,  so now I have to drive home without any indication of speed.......................... 

Use the tach if it's working to aproximate your speed when your speedometer isn't working.  In 5th gear with standard sprockets and rear tire the tach is close to the speed, 4k on tach at 40 mph, 5k on tach 50 mph, etc.   Not exact but close enough to get by.

Thanks all and Jessie I'll call you tomorrow or something.

I made a dumb move.  I installed a windshield w/o thinking about the speedometer, so now I'm going to have to take that off when I fix this speedometer.  I bought a speedo cable and it comes with the speed hub.  I'm assuming I can just take the cable off the new one and put it on the hub that's already on my bike.....is it as simple as I seem to make it or is there more work?

Well here are pictures with the windshield: