Sluggish first gear

[DarkHorse9825]

So I took my bike out of storage and drove it home with no issues a week ago.

I put some Seafoam in it to clean it up from all the fuel sitting in it over the winter. I also top up the tank with fresh fuel.

I took the bike out for a rip last night. I start it up and let it idol for a couple minutes to warm it up. I go to take off and it was like I was starting out in second gear, which I was not. I had to give it a lot of gas just so it didn't stall. I had to drive it for about 5k before I could start from a stopped position normally.

 

Today i fire the bike up to go for a ride. I plop it in first gear and go to take off and is starts to bog down again. I double check and yes I am in first gear. I go to take off again and it is still sluggish and I have to give it a good amount of gas so it doesn't stall out on me. I go out for an hour, stopping a couple times and there was no issues.

 

I never had issues like this after when I took my bike out of storage last year.

 

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or may that I should be doing?

[bongobobny]

You may be running on only 3 cylinders. Might be time for new plugs...

[Flyinfool]

When you start it up, check the temperature of the exhaust right at the head. they should all be the same. Careful, it dont take long to get hot enough to burn ya.

 

Are you using the choke?

 

Are you turning the choke off to soon?

[DarkHorse9825]

Wouldn't think it would be the plugs. It's only 2 years old. I am using the choke, but maybe not long enough. I will check the head temp tomorrow.

 

Thanks.

[Flyinfool]

It could easily be the plugs.

Seafoam is hard on the plugs.

These bikes are very sensitive to plugs. Sometimes they look fine but the problems still go away with new plugs.

[DarkHorse9825]

I started it up today and let it warm up for a couple minutes. Seems to be fine now.

 

I do have another question now. When you turn on the key I could hear a ticking sound for a few seconds. I figured that was the fuel pump. Well this season there is no sound at all. Is this something to be looking into?

[Flyinfool]

If the carbs are full of fuel the pump will not click.

[DarkHorse9825]

Okay, not being a mechanic, do the carbs drain while the bike is off; or is it normal for them to stay full of fuel?

 

Sorry about all the questions. I change oil and wash the bike, that is the extent of my mechanical skills.

[Flyinfool]

If the bike is put away hot on a hot day some fuel can evaporate.

It is common in cooler weather to have full carbs the next time you start.

 

Oil changes are good, washing is bad.........Only need a wash once every couple of years.........Just when the farmers start complaining about not enough dirt in their fields.

[DarkHorse9825]

don't take washing away from me. It's the only thing I'm really good at when it comes to bike maintenance.

[oconeedan]

My bike clicks nearly every day, but I am in the South.

Even though you may have stored the bike properly, old fuel is usually the first thing I would suspect. I would drain (put in my truck), and refill with new gas.

[DarkHorse9825]

Thanks for the tips. I actually think the front two cylinders are not firing. I drove it to work and checked the temp of the exhaust at the heads like Flyinfool suggested. The rear two were very hot. The front two I could keep my hand on, they were just warm. I'm thinking I need new plugs now.

[Ace]

If the new plugs don't get your cylinders firing, next I would remove, inspect and clean your carbs. Pilot circuit jets are most likely plugged.

[DarkHorse9825]

Well I am taking my bike in to have it looked at. I do wish I could do these things myself; however I do not have the space or knowledge. I have a further question before I really bore people, if Seafoam is hard on plugs is there something else I should be using instead?

Edited April 14, 2015 by DarkHorse9825

[oconeedan]

I never had sea foam give my plugs problems, but I only run it once in a while. Generally, bike doesn't run quite as good with it, but better after it. I like it once a year or so. Dan

[van avery]

You might check the top end of your plug wires they do corrode at times. If you cut about a quarter inch off the end it may help. A quick check to see if those cylinders are firing would be in order.

Pull one of the front plug wires and install a plug in the boot and ground the plug body to the engine and see if the cylinder, start the bike and see if it is firing. IF it is, then try the other side. If they are firing then you need to look at the carbs.

[Yammer Dan]

A very strong dose of Sea-Foam may foul a plug. If the plugs weren't firing Sea-Foam won't bring them back. Time for new plugs.

[DarkHorse9825]

Okay, I have the bike looked at. Well the plugs were good, needed to be cleaned up but not replaced. It was the jets in the front two carbs. I guess I didn't get all the fuel out at the two jets were blocked. Once cleaned up the bike works like a charm. Put a bottle of Fuel Med RX through it it's good to go.

Thanks for all the advise.

[Ace]

Great that you got it repaired. Thanks for the update!