1st post, 1st problem

[Skudoinker]

Hi, and thank you in advance. I have been looking for a venture that needed some work as the bike funds are low, and I found an 83 with 50.000 miles on it in really nice shape that ran last year but will not start now. The owner want's $600.00 so I have to get it. Okay the question is, this is the second venture "needing work" that I have looked at that previously ran, but only, or mostly on 3 cylinders. I am well aware of carb issues and air leaks, but I am wondering about the ignition control system as well, is there a common problem that would manifest itself by dropping one cylinder? I know I could do a search, sorry but I am in a time crunch.

 

Thank's for the help, really nice group here!

[Squidley]

Brett,

 

1st thing I will say is check all your spark plug wires to insure that all are working properly. There is a resistor in the caps that corrodes and wont give good spark. At minimum I would replace all the wires, caps and plugs as well as the fuel filter. Open all the carb bowl drain screws and flush the bowls out. I can almost guarantee that the carbs all varnished up and probably the jets are plugged with crap. Many will recommend that you drain the gas tank of all the old fuel, put new in and a full bottle of seafoam to attempt to clean the carbs out. Mind you that if a carb is completely plugged seafoam wont do much good as it needs to flow through all the passages in order to loosen the crap. I would also determine which cylinder you feel is not firing and tap on it's corrisponding carb bowl to see if you can get fuel flowing through it....others will chime in in a few

[Trader]

If the TCI is toast, One of the members here offered me a working 83 TCI for $75 (or somewhere around that)

[frankd]

As Squidley suggested, you need to determine WHICH cylinder is not firing. Then check for spark at that cylinder. If you have spark, make sure you have a good spark plug in that cylinder. If you're OK to here, you have a carburetor problem. Because the bike did sit with gas in the float bowls, you probably have a plugged jet or two. BTW, you can check for a dead cylinder by starting a cold engine and then feeling the exhaust pipes carefully. If the pipe gets hot, that cylinder is firing.

 

The other problems the bike may have are:

 

2nd gear jumping out of gear under load--this was fixed during the 85 model year, but a lot of us have rebuilt the transmission. Yamaha used a soft thrust washer and it after 25-75 thousand miles, it allowed slop and 2nd gear would slide out of mesh briefly. Mine started about 70K and I rebuilt it at 82K. It happens to most early bikes, but not all.

 

83's had a weak spot on the frame that allows the rear suspension to collapse. Mine broke @ 92K, and I replaced the frame. Some people have welded the broken section, but mine came apart so bad I wouldn't have trusted the repaired area.

 

All 1200's have the zerk fitting to grease the shaft drive coupling, but it's completely innefective. If nobody took the shaft drive unit off and greased the coupling regularly (every 12-14K) the bike will have worn splines. Mine was ready to come unmeshed at about 50K. I replaced the shaft drive unit and drive shaft with one from a salvage yard, properly greased it every 12K and at 149K (all figures in miles) it's still looks like new.

 

Frank D.

[saddlebum]

If the TCI is toast, One of the members here offered me a working 83 TCI for $75 (or somewhere around that)

Don't be too quick to condem the TCI if you have no spark. V7Goose was looking into this one time and apperantly found that in most cases people were replaceing the TCI when all they had to do was replace the spark plug boot on the end of the wire because of the resister in the boot failing.

On the other hand I have had the bike run on 3 cylinders from sitting over the winter. Removed the air cleaner soaked the carbs with seafoam while cold and running at high idle then snuffed it with sea foam. After letting it sit for a couple hours fired it up and took it for a good run at high rpms working the throttle from full closed to full open while rideing and soon the bike ran great. P/S make sure you do this somewhere were you don't smokeout your entire neighbour hood. They take a dim view of this.....Don't Ask how I know.

[Skudoinker]

Wow, frame breakage??? I was excited about this bike but I don't know now. It has 55.000 miles on it, and the price is now $500.00, and I planned on getting it in the a.m. but I just don't know now..... advice??? opinions???

[BradT]

The frame damage was in one particular spot. If it is not broke or cracked I believe it can be fixed before it breaks real bad.

 

I also do not believe it was that bad to weld it without removing too much. Memory is not the best so don't quote me on this. (maybe someone else can agree )

 

Good luck with it. Should be able to get 500 bucks out in parts easily if you have any patience and space.

 

Brad

[Skudoinker]

Thank's for the response. I decided to pass on it and I am going to hold out for an 86 or newer so I can avoid the early design flaws.

[Squidley]

Thank's for the response. I decided to pass on it and I am going to hold out for an 86 or newer so I can avoid the early design flaws.

 

How much are you looking to spend? There are a couple here in the classifieds, one from Kbran is a good bike. I also have an '86 that is going to be up for sale soon...

[Skudoinker]

Well.... I think I have found one. I dion't know what year, it's a 1300 and has brand new tires and is ready to roll, 109,000 miles for $1,100. The miles seem a bit high to me, but with that amount whatever problems it had are probably taken care of. I don't have enough right now for a jem, but I think this will be a good bike to test the waters with. The guy who owns it is a pastor so I doubt he would try to scam me.... I am going to go check it out on the10th when he gets back in town.

[Squidley]

Well.... I think I have found one. I dion't know what year, it's a 1300 and has brand new tires and is ready to roll, 109,000 miles for $1,100. The miles seem a bit high to me, but with that amount whatever problems it had are probably taken care of. I don't have enough right now for a jem, but I think this will be a good bike to test the waters with. The guy who owns it is a pastor so I doubt he would try to scam me.... I am going to go check it out on the10th when he gets back in town.

 

Dont let the miles fool you, I bought an '89 with over 100K on it as the body was beautiful. She ran like a clock and was/is a great machine. rode it 2 up loade3d to Freebirds MD in '10 in Oberlin Ohio from Texas and she ran great. I sold it to one of the members here with 110K on the clock and he rode it from Houston Texas to Atlanta Georgia with zero issues. As long as it's been maintained fairly well you shouldn't have any problems $1100.00 is a good price as long as it's not all beat to hell.

[Reddog170]

Where is that 83 for $500 at? I have a friend that is looking for one and is very interested. Shaun

[Skudoinker]

Hi, thank's for the responses. The owner of the 83 can be reached at 763-412-9181. Really nice guy, he said it was his Dad's, his Dad bought a new bike and parked the 83. I think it has 55,000 on it and I dont think it was abused, just sat. His asking price is 7 but he said he would take 5. It is in Andover Mn, which is just north of the twin cities, good luck!!!