thing is it ran fine when I by passed the petcock.

Quote from: benntn on April 18, 2012, 01:55:09 PM
thing is it ran fine when I by passed the petcock.

I'm assuming that the hoses were connected correctly to/from the frame petcock?  I'm sure they were, but I am running out of ideas.

yes sir i have.  So am I. 

OK so I took the tank off again, removed the shut off valve, and cleaned the filter slowly with spray cleaner (i'd already done this once but not as much) several times, blew it with compressed air easily and double check the ports while opened and closed.  I noticed though when it is open, if i peek down inside both ports, they both appeared to only to be half open but it looks as though that is normal.  So I poked it with a long electrical tester and it seemed solid and not debris.  So I then re-installed it and tested the fuel flow with the tank. Fuel only drained from the reserved port.  So I added more gas to the tank and checked the flow again and fuel started flowing from both.  Then I reinstalled the tank, primed the carbs and got it started.  It spit, sputter, and died a few times but it eventually started and ran a little smother after it warmed up.  Then I adjusted the throttle and it seems to be much better but I'm still not quite sure it or me is totally happy.  Tonight I may take her for a spin and see. 

You're on the right track.  Trust me, I know it can be frustrating.  When you take the bike for a ride, make sure the tank is full.  That way you know that gas is coming from both outlet spigots on the tank.

Well I tried it again and it still would not run very long.  So I decided to checked the plugs and they were foul, so I went and got new ones and installed them.  Then I primed it again and it ran but not very long.  So i primed it again, it would start run a little longer, during which I turned it to on and it would continue to run for a while then die.  Then when it was warm, it would start for the valve on "on" with no choke and either idle to high then die or it would idle to low and then if I blip the throttle it either die or sputter.

The plugs were fowled black? That's not a starving problem.


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Quote from: Manaenrc on April 19, 2012, 10:45:31 PM
The plugs were fowled black? That's not a starving problem.


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Sounds like a carb issue.  I think we can agree that the petcocks are in working order at this point. 

I'd take a look at the carbs next.  Black sooty or wet plugs indicate too rich.  If it runs great when the engine is cold, and not so great warm...or if you take the air cleaner out and it runs better...that means rich.

ADDED:  While you are at it, check the float height.  Do a search on this forum if you are unfamiliar with how to do it.  Nevermind, looks like you already did that.

Did you modify your carbs at all before this?  If so, what did you do?

Yes the plugs were black.

Can some one explain how to blow into the petcock to clean it? I didnt ubderstand that part. I might have a petcock issue. Last night i ran out of gas and when i went to reserve it still wouldnt run. You think the reserve function is done?

I removed mine and blew through it.  If it works it should sound like a party horn.  Mine didn't work so i took it apart but found nothing wrong with it.  So I bought a new one yet my bike still isn't running correctly.

Quote from: cbcanada on April 20, 2012, 07:33:51 AM
Can some one explain how to blow into the petcock to clean it? I didnt ubderstand that part. I might have a petcock issue. Last night i ran out of gas and when i went to reserve it still wouldnt run. You think the reserve function is done?

Your fuel lines could be reversed. When that is done, ON is really reserve. When you run out of gas - you're really out of gas.
If the in-tank fuel screen is gone, you have no reserve. That fuel screen has the long tube for ON (main) and the short tube for reserve. Without it, there is no long tube so both settings are reserve.

Wait, if you blew through your secondary petcock with compressed air you could have blown the rubber diaphragm that is inside. Make sure you are not sucking gas in through the vacuum line attached from the carb to the petcock vacuum port. You can test it with vacuum tester, or if you feel adventurous put the carb end to your lips and see if it holds vacuum. just be ready to spit out the dino squirt    if it leaks.


As long as fuel is not leaking through the diaphragm you can resume checking out your carbs.  You have a rich running bike this can only be caused an excess of fuel flow in one of the carb circuits.  Most common problems are incorrect float height or leaking float seat/needle. Unless you changed the jets then maybe you went too large.