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duneswatter · 09-10-2009, 07:44 AM

i am having a problem with my bike, it was sitting for about 3 months and it was running great when i stopped riding it, now it won't idle or start unless the choke is on, and even if i let it warm up, it still won't start or idle unless the choke is on, at least half choke. something else that throws me off, is that if you try to give it gas, it will bog down and die, but if you feather the throttle past 3000 it runs smooth, and then if you are holding it at about 3-4000, and you turn off the choke, it will die, no matter how gas you try and give it. i am completely clueless at to what is going on, maybe i am overlooking something simple, but i can't figure out what, i put fresh gas in, changed the plugs and the oil, other than that, i have not really done anything to the bike, does anyone have any thoughts as to what might be causing this problem, any and all help is appreciated

longride · 09-10-2009, 07:52 AM

The jets in your carbs are clogged. You need to take them off the bike, disassemble and clean them and put them back on and synch them up. Not a huge job if you know what you are doing, but if you don't know how then bring it to someone that does. If you bring it to a shop, it will cost you $500 to $700 bucks for the job.

The_AirHawk · 09-10-2009, 07:57 AM

Slow jets or "idle jets" as they're known - are plugged up. Nothing doing but to pull the carbs off, pull 'em apart, and use a strand of copper wire and spray carb-cleaner on those jets. Hold 'em up to a light to confirm they're clear.

Wear eye protection, and DON'T use the spray on anything rubber (causes it to swell and stretch).

Spray it through EVERY orifice in the carb, and if the spray doesn't come out another orifice - it's plugged.

Pay attention to how it all came apart - take pics (nowadays with about a zillion digital cams everywhere including 19 out of 20 cell phones, NOBODY has an excuse not to).

I would also empty this tank of fuel, and check to make certain the tank is clean. Use stabilizer in the future; especially if the bike isn't ridden regularly.

duneswatter · 09-10-2009, 08:02 AM

sounds good, i guess i will give that a whirl, i thank you for your time in reading and replying,

duneswatter · 09-10-2009, 08:04 AM

another thing real quick, anytime i pull the carbs off the synch has to be redone correct?

longride · 09-10-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duneswatter

another thing real quick, anytime i pull the carbs off the synch has to be redone correct?

I would synch them anytime any change is made.

longride · 09-10-2009, 08:15 AM

I'm thinking the pilots are plugged also.

seruzawa · 09-10-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duneswatter

another thing real quick, anytime i pull the carbs off the synch has to be redone correct?

Not if you don't mess with the cable adjusters. But it's a good idea to check it anyhow. A special gauge for the job isn't much $. And you can use it forever.

duneswatter · 09-10-2009, 09:49 AM

where can i get that special gauge from? i assume you are referring to the vaccuum gauge for adjustment of the carbs right?

seruzawa · 09-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duneswatter

where can i get that special gauge from? i assume you are referring to the vaccuum gauge for adjustment of the carbs right?

Accessory shops and online bike stores have them. Google is your friend.

09-10-2009, 07:44 AM	#1
duneswatter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	91 nighthawk question i am having a problem with my bike, it was sitting for about 3 months and it was running great when i stopped riding it, now it won't idle or start unless the choke is on, and even if i let it warm up, it still won't start or idle unless the choke is on, at least half choke. something else that throws me off, is that if you try to give it gas, it will bog down and die, but if you feather the throttle past 3000 it runs smooth, and then if you are holding it at about 3-4000, and you turn off the choke, it will die, no matter how gas you try and give it. i am completely clueless at to what is going on, maybe i am overlooking something simple, but i can't figure out what, i put fresh gas in, changed the plugs and the oil, other than that, i have not really done anything to the bike, does anyone have any thoughts as to what might be causing this problem, any and all help is appreciated

09-10-2009, 07:52 AM	#2
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	The jets in your carbs are clogged. You need to take them off the bike, disassemble and clean them and put them back on and synch them up. Not a huge job if you know what you are doing, but if you don't know how then bring it to someone that does. If you bring it to a shop, it will cost you $500 to $700 bucks for the job. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

09-10-2009, 07:57 AM	#3
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	Slow jets or "idle jets" as they're known - are plugged up. Nothing doing but to pull the carbs off, pull 'em apart, and use a strand of copper wire and spray carb-cleaner on those jets. Hold 'em up to a light to confirm they're clear. Wear eye protection, and DON'T use the spray on anything rubber (causes it to swell and stretch). Spray it through EVERY orifice in the carb, and if the spray doesn't come out another orifice - it's plugged. Pay attention to how it all came apart - take pics (nowadays with about a zillion digital cams everywhere including 19 out of 20 cell phones, NOBODY has an excuse not to). I would also empty this tank of fuel, and check to make certain the tank is clean. Use stabilizer in the future; especially if the bike isn't ridden regularly. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

09-10-2009, 08:15 AM	#7
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	I'm thinking the pilots are plugged also. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

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09-10-2009, 08:02 AM	#4
duneswatter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	sounds good, i guess i will give that a whirl, i thank you for your time in reading and replying,

09-10-2009, 08:04 AM	#5
duneswatter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	another thing real quick, anytime i pull the carbs off the synch has to be redone correct?

09-10-2009, 09:49 AM	#9
duneswatter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	where can i get that special gauge from? i assume you are referring to the vaccuum gauge for adjustment of the carbs right?