Solace

Yep on double checking, one of the carbs is like... maybe I forgot the needle entirely kinda sticking. Fix that, maybe fix bike...

MORE PROGRESS! She wants to run so bad. Still only starting on starter fluid, was able to get her down to a nice idle, but she started surging rev up downnnnnnnnnnnnn upppppppppp downnnnnnnnnn. Turns out one of the carbs is flooding over and spitting a lot of gas out. Just one carb. I also made sure to re-attach and double check the airbox fittings, some of that was sloppy, had to grease the inside of the boot and it sat down perfectly. Hooked up more various connections things are running better. I did not however hook up that big fat hose to the air box because how the hell do you do that lol, I'm gonna get a slightly longer hose and refit it. Here she is wanting to run! SO CLOSE I can taste it. I believe the float may be stuck or installed incorrectly (lazy / tired?) so it's emptying out, then pumping too much fuel, emptying out, too much fuel, etc and I believe that's what is causing the surging. One more time I will have to take the carbs apart... maybe later tonight. wantsa.mp4

Thinking I might have an air leak somewhere too, not drawing enough fuel at low speed. There is NO WAY the pilot circuit is dirty, 5th time deep cleaning the carb and I've checked them thoroughly!

VICTORY! Well sorta. Upon inspection it appears that only ONE of the MAIN NOZZLE had o-rings. So what I did was a hack, 2 smaller o-rings out of a generic kit to try to fill the gap. You can see in other photos I'm kinda learning what they do, I installed way too fat of a ring and it doesn't fit. So looks like the last guy working on these just didn't bother with them, perhaps. Next up is the coil pack was certainly defective, and I have now by passed it. Simply cut out the old one, steal the adapter and I'm going to home it under the radio, and I will probably just do ALL coil packs. She still only starts with quickstart. But I can get her a little more quiet. I need to adjust the air/mixture screws for sure, I have a feeling they're outa whack from the last guy. I put my hand behind the exhaust and both pipes were HOT, where as last time the left pipe was half as hot. So the ignition coil was for sure a problem - you think I should replace all coils? REALLY excited that I may have it figured out today. IMG_1369.MP4

Thanks all -- Yeah I'm looking at the CDI and Coils like, hey they don't often fail.. right? I will for sure clean the electrical connections wherever I see ability to clean it. I'm really hoping to get her working this weekend. I'm very sure what happened is those washers being missing would create a LEAN condition, the air would just pass right through that part where the needle goes into the hole. I found some nearly the same size washers, I'll try them, failing that I'll use some larger ones and grind them down. Fun fun fun. I did get the side panels, newer more aggressive exhaust, new fuse box (old one falling apart) and I'm really looking forward to the bike running soon!

So looks like I am infact missing TWO "Washer, Main Jet" -- which explains why I'm only firing on 2 cylinders I think, because if this washer is missing the Main Nozzle will have 2mm of play and can wiggle, which changes the adjustment of the main needle by 2mm and does not properly stop fuel flow essentially flooding the entire carburator -- which also explains the back fire and woosh of smoke out of that side of the carburator! I have started replacing the ignition coils already which probably doesn't even need to be done 😕 But hey, new ignition coils are new ignition coils. Just need to find a replacement for a few washers and I think I might have a shot at riding this weekend!

Might have hit a jackpot: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Carburetor-Rebuild-Repair-Kit-Main-Jet-Sub-for-Yamaha-VMAX-V-Max-1200-VMX12-/374061683908?hash=item5717d054c4

Hey all, so did some spark testing on the front two, and ordered 4 replacements. WAY better spark on the front left spark where there was none before. Front right has a tiny weak spark. I may just replace all the coils. there’s gota be a carb issue still, I can spray quick start in there and she fires. Not getting anything on choke. so looks like more carbs needed. I’m gonna deep clean them this time, soak them, replace what I can etc. will update when that’s done

You were correct

Ok - no spark on the front two cylinder!

I think I am down a cylinder after all, I did compare exhaust heat, one was only half as hot.

Hey all she’s running poopy again after I had her on the road. Hard to start. Cleaning again. This is what I was mentioning about a missing washer, thoughts?

Yeah will check again. I feel like I’m missing a cylinder, I’ll have to check the wiring next. I was riding and it felt like a cyl was in out in out. But I’ve checked spark everywhere. put half a tank of fresh gas in with another can of seafoam and it made an immediate impact. Shifting through gear 1 - 2 almost felt normal.

So after my run around the block, she idles! IMG_1301.MOV

JUST WENT AROUND THE BLOCK! gota keep the revs real high off the pilot jet, main jet gives plent of power. Think I’ll go for a ride! Omg this bike is so nice to ride.

Ok here’s where we’re at! It even pulled forward but not enough power yet. Almost idles with slight throttle no choke. IMG_1300.MOV

She is running with no choke! Gota hold down the throttle a little but I can even full rev without choke! I might just boost up the idle speed for a bit and she if she drives. Exciting!

It’s gota be dirty still. Ran it for a while on choke, it seemed a little more happy. I just revved on choke for the first time and she actually gave a rev! Ok right on. Yeah

Ok I have it running agaiN on choke only. Will let it run for some time maybe get that seafoam to clean something. Hitting throttle kills it. IMG_1297.MOV

Can't sleep, motorcycle on the brain. I think I'm actually too lean, and have an AWESOME read up here: https://venturers.org/Tech_Library/?action=article&cat_id=002010&id=168 I wasn't really thinking about it but I am getting bangs and pops. I didn't want to mess with air mixture but I think at this point someone probably messed with them over the years. Gonna try 2 turns in and go from there.

Not sure if this O-Ring is there on possibly 2 of the carburetors, 1 for certain didn't have it. 27 - that's the one Im missing, it's just a washer but maybe screws things up. Going to replace gasket 22 in all 4, each one of them tore slightly.

NOTE: I may be missing O-Rings on one or two of the Needle Jet Screws - I noted that they didn't all even install the same way, will re-examine tomorrow. Will that cause issue?

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=161408.0 This guys in the same boat, he ended up recleaning and changing old gas - guess that's what tomorrow morning will bring.

Nope no dice starting her. She is firing up on this old gas for a second, and she did run before hand with choke on. guess I’ll have to recheck the carbs, maybe soak them really good. just checking manual. I cleaned these out really well. Main and pilot. Perhaps more debris got in there, at this point I gota double check anyway 😕

Question on the pilot jets, I didn’t remove them, just blew thru the hole abs could see one was CLEARLY blocked. Watching a video and his random pilot jet on another machine has holes in the bottom — is that the case here? They’d likely still be clogged if so!