Trouble!! (I just knew the challenges weren’t quite over)

Today I changed the oil and oil filter, rehung the saddle bags, installed the seats, hooked up the battery tender connector and buttoned up some odds and ends.

Test Ride Gone Wrong

I decided to take it for a longer test ride to let the bike get all the way up to temp. I noticed that when I would pull the clutch in the bike would slow down pretty quickly. Also the idle still isn’t quite there.

When I got back home and tried to push the bike in neutral I realized the front brake is grabbing(or the front axle has some drag.). also I let the bike idle and notice that if left alone at a low idle it would eventually stall out. when i stood next to the bike as it idled I could here one cylinder popping

I also noticed both yesterday and today that it would start even without the choke when stone cold.

I checked the spark plug before my first ride today and noticed it is running a little rich. I sort of expected that with the old petcock not working properly and not taking the bike for a proper ride to let it get up to temp.

So where are we now?

I put the bike away to let it cool down and I will have to remove the carbs and recheck the idle circuits. They seemed so clean when I initially pulled them apart that I thought it would be good. But with me constantly messing with the old petcock perhaps some dirt got into one. who knows

I pray that the problem is in the idles circuit of the carbs and not that intake that I fixed. Once I pull the carbs apart I will make the determination as to whether or not To remove the intake and check it.

Also, Ill need to check the front wheel.

I was hoping to get the bike back to the owners this week but it looks like it’s going to be a bit longer. 🙁

Update –

I pulled the carbs off the bike. they showed signs of carbon build up on the engine side. this is a sign of backfiring into the carb. I also noticed some gas in the intake runner when I pulled them off. I’m thinking that the floats may not have been closing off the gas allowing it to overflow into the intake runners.

I rebuilt the carbs with new floats and needles. we shall see how they work now. as I also found some other minimal issues that I corrected. I will update once I get them put back on the bike and test them. hopefully that was the issue.