Neverending story...

[Rob Taylor]

Before you take it to the shop,are the plugs the correct heat range for the bike??? Sounds like it has killed a plug..Check they are the right plugs,buy another set and fit.The shop will do this anyway so nothing to loose...It could have a dud coil which will make it hard to start and not give a good hot spark.Shop should check that as it is a problem with your model...Anyway new plugs and see what happens..Good luck

[FJRider]

Cheers guys,
Not long ago I emptied the tank out and tipped the rest out as best I could. No idea how to clean one though, such a odd shape these things.

FJ - Connie isn't gravity feed. Thinking that even if I change in line filter, is it probable that shite has already got in and fekked carbs? Plan then being clean carbs and then get groovy new filter?

Really do appreciate all your help guys
Beer for all those that help if we meet up at the Magpie

Washed pea gravel in the tank (when you tip them out, if you miss any...it rattles) give it a good shake (remove fuel tap/filter first) will clean the tank out.

Neither is the FJ. cleaning the carbs out is good insurance, fucked the carbs... I would say NOT. New inline filter is a good idea. There is usually a filter on the fuel tap/outlet, it does stop some shit...not all.

Do the easy bits first...then go from there...

[tri boy]

I'd be checking for high resistance in the spark plug cap. MHO

[stevewederell]

Cheers lads,

Rob, FJ, Tri, Plugs are right temp range. Replaced ones in with new ones maybe 2 months ago and checked against service manual. Hampton checked the electrical side of plug leads and spark and "stuff".

Didn't have time to rip out the tank filter. Thought about doing it tonight but if I buggered it up I would have had no way to get it to shop tomorrow before I shot away.

I kinda hope/think that maybe they just need to clean out carbs, possibly nay enough air getting in and making it too rich. Perhaps caused by previous shite getting in from tank/dirty fuel that filters couldn't handle.

Guess it will cost a few hundy, but I just want my baby going and Jason and the Hampton team "seem" reasonable and not wanting to rip anyone off.

Anyhoo I'm off to Routeburn and Hollyford, so lets hope I have better luck down there!

[stevewederell]

Started her up, still not running well, let her warm up then hit the road heading to shop. Only got around first corner when she came back to life...God be playing games with me

[FJRider]

Choke not fully opening after warm-up...

[stevewederell]

Thanks to all helped out with my baby. Just picked her up today after being bush for a week. Friendly crew at Hampton Honda in CHCH she's up and running again.

She does sound and feel a little different but that may just be me getting used to the idle set lower. Anyway, here is what he lads did to her...


Checked (and adjusted) carb balance and mixtures.
#3 was two turns too rich.

Replaced missing inlet manifold clamp screw, tightened all other clamps.

Also cleaned plugs (although they should have been not too bad after I had already done it) and adjusted the idle speed

Now I just need to find out why my front brakes are soft - I think I need to take them apart and clean them - I replaced the pads and fluid a while ago.

All going well I'll be at the Magpie with the rest of the Crazies!

[SDU]

Thanks to all helped out with my baby. Just picked her up today after being bush for a week. Friendly crew at Hampton Honda in CHCH she's up and running again.

All going well I'll be at the Magpie with the rest of the Crazies!

Will see you at the Magpie

[Bren_chch]

and when u get back go see Duane at Duanes bikes, they have an ignition testing gizmo.

[stevewederell]

and when u get back go see Duane at Duanes bikes, they have an ignition testing gizmo.

...a free testing gizmo? The fix although quite reasonable was still a chunk out of the pocket!

[stevewederell]

Right, so had a good ol' ride to and from the Magpie and was running sweet. Back and forth to work and all good except today when I switched to reserve. Seemed a few less K's than normal before the switch but I am rising her a little harder (really just less like a nana).

All good for a few k's then she would get all grumbly again, but just on and off. Kept riding, no other option really, the closer I got to home the grumpier she got.

Got home and let her and me cool down before I did anything. Noticed when I took the tank off that Hampton hadn't put all the plug leads back on fully

Didn't look at plugs - tomorrow for that, this time I went to fuel line. My new in line filter has some little floaties in it, didn't think that was a good thing, then thought FUCK IT and tipped fuel out into some things from kitchen (don't tell Kate) and attacked the fuel strainer and petcock (i think that's what it's called.

I'll post pics tomorrow maybe, all sorts of crud, albeit dry, hard crunchy crud. In the process of picking it all out and I'll try to flush in all out tomorrow and assemble it all again. Then I'll check feckin plugs again and switch her on. One thing to note (2 actually) she started well once I got her home AND fuel level varied considerably in the in line filter

Time for bed, maybe I'll wake up and it'll be just a funny wee dream

[Conquiztador]

Take tap off and cap too. Then use water hose with full blast and spend 5 min flushing. When you have finished shake all round and try to get all water out. Then put tank in sun or on top of heater element. That will dry the water out. Waste approx one litre of petrol by pouring in and splashing around. If you are worried that the water will not come all out (never had that problem and have washed heaps of tanks) you can pour in some Methyleted Spirit that will soak up all water. Then pour out and leave to evaporate. Tap back on and your tank problem is out of the equation.

Does the weather make a difference to the running? Does she run worse when damp or when raining? CDI...

Good Luck

[stevewederell]

Take tap off and cap too. Then use water hose with full blast and spend 5 min flushing. When you have finished shake all round and try to get all water out. Then put tank in sun or on top of heater element. That will dry the water out. Waste approx one litre of petrol by pouring in and splashing around. If you are worried that the water will not come all out (never had that problem and have washed heaps of tanks) you can pour in some Methyleted Spirit that will soak up all water. Then pour out and leave to evaporate. Tap back on and your tank problem is out of the equation.

Does the weather make a difference to the running? Does she run worse when damp or when raining? CDI...

Good Luck

Cheers for that, I'll be on to it this avo. I can't think what the hell is going on in the tank or what would cause it. I decided there's no point fixing carbs and shit if they just keep getting bunged up from shite in the fuel.

I'll keep you all posted on my dramas