I don't suppose anybody here is a mechanic?

[DRider]

Hey folks,

I'm having some pretty big problems with my bike these days, which is stopping me from actually being able to ride it. I was riding along a few days ago and then my main tank ran out of petrol, causing the bike to of course "power-off". I quickly went and got a full tank at a nearby petrol station, thinking all the problems were over. However, on the way back to my house, the bike conked out again (it suddenly lost power and the revs increased, and it powered off before it even came to a stop). I was able to get it started again after a while, and got it home again. I gave the bike a clean and topped up the oil today, also checking the spark plugs were in properly, but now it has even more problems. The idle has to be high to even get the bike going, and if you're not revving it, then the bike will power off. As soon as you take the revs off, it will choke-out within a few seconds. This means that I can't really drive it, not pleasantly at the very least, and I have no clue what might be causing the problem.

There's also a fairly strong smell of petrol coming from the bike, though I think that's because some got stuck on this little ridge beneath the petrol cap. I'm wondering if anybody might have any ideas as to what the problem might be, or how I can fix it; I'm going to take it to the bloke who sold me the bike over the next week, as he also fixes them up again.

Any help would be a life-saver. Thanks.

 

[LeedsRider93]

Few ideas:

- Sediment might of caused a blocked fuel filter, make sure it is not clogged!
- Check your fuel tank breather tube (if your bike has a vacuum fed fuel system) - may have become blocked
- Fuel smell may be from the tank overflow tube?
- Check HT leads are properly attached
- Check and clean spark plugs, see if they have been running too hot etc.

 

[DRider]

Thanks for the quick reply bud, it's a bit dark and cold here tonight, but I'll check those all out tomorrow morning and get back to you.

 

[lawman]

I'd go fuelling rather than electrical (seeing how the problem arose)and the sediment sludge is the best bet.

If you re running a carbed bike, whip the carb off and clean the jets, etc (use a plastic bristle out od a brush or blow them out with a bike pump) The crud usually ends up in the bottom of the float bowl. Check any fuel filters, they can be found at the tank, in line with fuel line or on carb banjo inlet.

Good luck.

 

[DRider]

Well, all I was really able to get done was to check my spark plugs, and they were all completely clean. Got it started up for a while, but I knew that if I went riding it would just screw up again. We can't find the sodding toolbox in the house, so I can't really do anything else; everything important is pretty much covered by chrome on this bike. -.- I guess I'll need to take it to a mechanics' tomorrow and see what's up. Bugger. lol