made2care

Guys, I took the bike out today after work for my longest ride yet and no issues. It had to be the carbs not seated all the way causing a vacuum leak. My spirit is once again invigorated !!

So..........The 2 ports on bottom of air filter box. Rear is capped and little one in front is open. Just leave alone, cap both, since the port on crankcase already has the hose with filter on the end.

Well, it looks like the PO has a vent tube of sorts coming from engine by twinkie ( i'm assuming this is whats supposed to connect to airbox. The tube carries over into the fairing and has a little k/n air filter on the end.

Quick question. When I removed the airbox I noticed 2 ports on the underside of it. One opening was capped off , the one to the rear and then the little port in the front left had no hose connected. Also, How does the airbox get any air if the false tank covers it? I also have the side covers with aftermarket chrome which could restrict airflow somehow, maybe not. When I rode it today , I left off the false tank cover and side panels. Seems to get more air.

Well........ noticed she is idling much better after I seated the carbs all the way. Took her out for a good ride and no issues, rode strong!! Carbs might have been the issue after all! At least I didn't get stranded today. Will keep u posted. thanks

Okay, shoot , might not be anything but my carbs where no seated worth anything. I managed to get them in all the way nice and snug and tightened up. Will see what happens! At least one thing is eliminated now.

Yes, I'm going to fix that today, then see what happens. Thank you

After some research, here is what could be the problem(s): coil going bad cdi going bad vacuum leak bad fuel cap gas tank vent tube plugged carbs if u want to validate or add to the list, please do. Interesting how it gives me trouble only after the engine warms up!

Just went out to start up bike. No problems, fires right up and idles perfect. I made no adjustments since it stranded. Could something be happening after the engine heats up to cause it to stall? here are some more things I have noticed, just before it stalls and I give it gas , there is a sucking sound coming from what appears to be the carbs. It's not a backfire just a missing. Also, I just now noticed the carbs aren't seated all the way inside boots so maybe that is causing a vacuum leak. Too many variables here and there is no way I can go on a trip this summer until this is resolved! I see one ribbed line on the bottom of carbs which I think should be further down in boot manifold.

Well, I got stranded again. Something is not right . I checked the plugs and they are dry black sooted , so I'm assuming she is still running rich. Would fouled plugs cause engine to stall. Has brand new fuel filter and tank is clean, no rust. Maybe I can go with a hotter plug? coils are good but might upgrade. Any thoughts or help is much appreciated! Thanks

Took her up to 110mph and could have kept climbing! Scary! I also don't think my carbs are seated all the way. will have to figure that out but..................she running smooth.

I think you are correct. Today I replaced original fuel line with new line and fuel filter. Took her around town , no issues. Still running rich as i can smell the gas. Will have to tweak.

Thank you for that. I'm still troublseshooting. I did forget to mention that when the bike lost power and I pulled over to the side of the road,at which time it died. When i went to restart it really struggled. finally after about 5 starts it barely ran. As it idled very slowly, when i gave it a little throttle, it died. Why would it die when i opened the throttle?

I found a new replacement for the CDI box but its aftermarket. Company claims bike will start easier and won't die. Only problem, its $330. I am going to check some other things but it has to be the CDI box causing the issues. thoughts?

This has a vmax cdi. Does anyone here refurbish these old cdi modules?

Well shoot! Got stranded on the hwy today but managed to make it home. Bike was running fine and suddenly it died. I coasted off to the side of the road and could not get it started. Side stand was up, bike was in neutral. I somehow managed to get it started but it appeared to be running on just a few cylinders and died again. Pulled to side of road again and could not get it started. Same thing she fired up( after starting it 10 times) but this time was full force, all cylinders. I took off and bike was riding as if nothing had happened. The bike is still running very rich. I'm starting to think this might be an electrical issue. No gas was leaking anywhere. I cannot take this bike out until this is resolved!! Any thoughts? Could TCI unit be faulty? What would cause a bike to suddenly lose power while going 60mph? I will check spark again. The plugs are fouling pretty fast but she road home perfect!! Someone please chime in here. Thanks

Where are these located?

No problem bro. she's running again but just too rich.

okay, thanks for the info

Here is the plug/ connection in question. What is it? Bike runs fine if I hold it tight.

Good news but.............................. Okay, carb is unstuck. I opened the drain screw and fuel is coming out nicely now. Bike seems to be running well again but it will miss from time to time. I will check the plugs again. If its running too rich is there a way i can lean her out a bit? Also, There is a little rubber square (will take a pic) that sits to the right of the fuse panel ( i did upgrade the fuse panel using skydocs kit ). I do remember this having a slight issue but just now thought of it. Inside are 2 glass fuses, one is a spare. I do remember having to hold it tightly for the bike to stay running or start properly and then forgot about it. Could this be causing the missing? just a thought. Anyway, no fuel leaking from overflow and cylinder is hot. Will keep you updated. I still think something is up with that glass fuse.

Thanks Puc, that info helped a bunch. Will attempt soon. I do want to back up and explain exactly how this all took place. As everyone saw and knew, the bike ran great for a while. One afternoon while placing the side cover back on, I noticed a small gas drip from underneath one carb. It was difficult to locate exactly where the leak was coming from but was a very slight drip from the brass screw/plug at bottom of carb bowl. The next issue was the bike would not start , so i checked the plugs with most of them being fouled. I cleaned the plugs and she started just fine. The next day i fired her up and a large amount of fuel was coming from one of the overflow tubes. I tapped on the suspect carb and then had to wait the next day to get back and see what was going on. I fired her up again and no more leaking fuel but I then removed the drain screw from the suspect carb and no fuel came out. This is where i am now, the engine runs but only on what appears to be 3 cylinders. I am going to try Pucs method which some of you suggested. I did try at first to squirt gas into the drain hole not knowing i can go through the drain hose. Thanks to Pucs video I am now aware i can go that route. I did some thinking on all of this and do not suspect the tank, as i de-rusted it pretty well. I do remember that i forgot to change out the main original fuel line going from the pump to the carb, which i did place a new inline filter in. Maybe that hose is breaking down. the hose from the petcock to fuel pump is new. thanks again for your help and i will keep you updated.

Bought a turkey blaster and it did not work. Most of the gas ended up on the ground, don't think the end of blaster fitted neatly into drain hole. Is there any other entry i could use to get gas through the carb to free it up and flush out whatever is causing the problem?

Well, i removed the drain screw on carb i suspect has a sticking valve and no gas came out. Still have to buy a turkey blaster and squirt some gas in there. I sure do hope these carbs aren't going to be finicky!!

Thanks for the advice. Will try turkey blaster technique. Also, do I leave the carbs filled with gas for the winter or do I need to drain them? The gas is treated with Stabil.