Hi all, my brother got a good deal on a 92 thats had some general disrepair. I've pretty much gone through it; all the general maintenance items. The PO used a lunchbox K&N but I put in a stock filter, as it seems to run pretty lean with the aftermarket pipe it has. Anyways, my issue is... the bike will run about a mile, maybe a couple minutes  then just die like it seems starved for fuel. I can sit for maybe 5 min and it will eventually come back or I can shoot it with starter fluid and get back home from the test ride. The 2nd petcock is gone and it just has a short line from the tank to a 90 degree fitting and then down between the carbs via another 6 inch or so line, so unless its getting pinched, its getting fuel. I took the carbs apart it all looked very clean, i cleaned it all up a bit more, floats seem to be working, etc.  I am completely stumped on what else to try? I was going to possibly re-route the fuel line and maybe check the tank cap vents?  Otherwise it runs pretty strongly, till it just stalls out.

Check valves, and clean carbs.
Pipe - and lean already - rejet.
Cool.
Buddha.

Didn't check valves, but cleaned the carbs. If the valves were out of whack wouldn't it not run decently at all? It runs pretty good for that short stint  then just  ......... pft nothing. thought it was the floats, those seemed fine. suppose i could not have enough fuel in the tank, but there is at least 2 gallons and its running on the reserve line

Quote from: mike884 on May 12, 2014, 10:56:34 AM
Didn't check valves, but cleaned the carbs. If the valves were out of whack wouldn't it not run decently at all? It runs pretty good for that short stint  then just  ......... pft nothing. thought it was the floats, those seemed fine. suppose i could not have enough fuel in the tank, but there is at least 2 gallons and its running on the reserve line

When I got my bike I had the same issues. Sounds exactly like valves. After you adjust them I would check again according to the timeline provided by the book. They do move around in there and it will affect your idling even after you adjusted.

Here is a quote from another person having similar issues and the response they got from other riders.

"Here is a popular video on valve adjustment by user BaltimoreGS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J19aNdXV08

I agree that this might be a difficult job for someone inexperienced in mechanics."

Here is a link to that discussion.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=67216.0

i can check the valves, just shim under bucket is a slightly more of a pain than locknut. and i've never had bikes quit running due to valve clearance... maybe not running ideally, but they all run... i'm not doubting anyone, i asked for help...  I guess there can be a first time for everything 

forgot to mention, it will immediately start with the use of starting fluid... once it quits.. and run for at least a short while

If it were valves, the symptoms should improve after the bike has warmed up (exhaust valves at least)... Valve issues we typically see here cause cold start issues, from tight exhaust valves ... But, I'm not 'too' sure what intakes would do...

Some simples to check off:  Check the float heights (Clear U-tube method), Check the tank petcock is fully on, Check tank vent and hose, Check the carb vent routing (if its pinched it will starve your carbs).



- Bboy

Well re-routed the fuel line, put the lunchbox back in and tweaked all the breather hoses. It ran on my longer test trip and ran well!  Now if i can just get that lunchbox to NOT fall off