Joined
·
87 Posts
A week ago the bike felt like it was running out of gas. Turned it to reserve and got home without a problem. The next AM, drove it to work without a problem. After work, took the long way and some trails home. The bike started to stumble and generally run rough at all speeds. Made it home, but the TW was not happy.
I took the carb out and gave it a good rodgering. Everything got cleaned and inspected. The only obvious thing was the float was set high, so brought that to spec.
With 1000 miles on it, it was past due for its initial 600 mile valve check. They checked out, but adjusted them anyway. Cam chain was just out of spec, so adjusted that too.
Fired it up and took it for a putt. The TW ran better, but something still was not right. Snapping the throttle acted like you hit the kill switch. Low speed manners were terrible, and a miss or hesitation at all throttle openings. Seemed to get worse as it ran more.
At this point I'm thinking electrical. Coil and/or CDI. Or maybe its still the carb, which would piss me off, as I've never had to dive back into any carb after cleaning them the first time.
Tonight, I took the air cleaner off and held it up to a light. I could see light thru it, but not alot. Hmmmmmm.
Started the scoot without the filter element and damn, it was running STRONG! Throttle response was the best its been! Cleaned the element with soap and hot water, then dried and re-oiled it. After it dried, I held it back up to the light. Didn't see alot more light than the first time, but for sure had washed some crud out of it. I still had doubts that this was the problem.
Slapped it back in and it still run strong!
I put two fingers over the air intake snorkle under the seat and was able to re-create exactly the symtoms the bike was having.
It is raining tonight, but I had to know if for sure if the problem was solved! Put on the 'Stich and went for 20 mile ride on gravel, tar, and dirt/mud.
It's fixed!
I thought for sure this was a carb problem. For all you what you think are carb issues, do youself a favor and give the filter element a clean and re-start the machine. You may be surprised!
I took the carb out and gave it a good rodgering. Everything got cleaned and inspected. The only obvious thing was the float was set high, so brought that to spec.
With 1000 miles on it, it was past due for its initial 600 mile valve check. They checked out, but adjusted them anyway. Cam chain was just out of spec, so adjusted that too.
Fired it up and took it for a putt. The TW ran better, but something still was not right. Snapping the throttle acted like you hit the kill switch. Low speed manners were terrible, and a miss or hesitation at all throttle openings. Seemed to get worse as it ran more.
At this point I'm thinking electrical. Coil and/or CDI. Or maybe its still the carb, which would piss me off, as I've never had to dive back into any carb after cleaning them the first time.
Tonight, I took the air cleaner off and held it up to a light. I could see light thru it, but not alot. Hmmmmmm.
Started the scoot without the filter element and damn, it was running STRONG! Throttle response was the best its been! Cleaned the element with soap and hot water, then dried and re-oiled it. After it dried, I held it back up to the light. Didn't see alot more light than the first time, but for sure had washed some crud out of it. I still had doubts that this was the problem.
Slapped it back in and it still run strong!
I put two fingers over the air intake snorkle under the seat and was able to re-create exactly the symtoms the bike was having.
It is raining tonight, but I had to know if for sure if the problem was solved! Put on the 'Stich and went for 20 mile ride on gravel, tar, and dirt/mud.
It's fixed!
I thought for sure this was a carb problem. For all you what you think are carb issues, do youself a favor and give the filter element a clean and re-start the machine. You may be surprised!
