Bike is dying... Help!

[Flip]

There is sod all between 91,95 and 98. You won't cause any problems in a stock motor mixing them up at all. Some very high performance motors run slightly better on higher octane fuels, some old vintage motors like low octane fuels, thats all.

I also thought it might be a bit of water in his fuel.

I would not completely strip your carbs, it would be impossible for you to balance (set them up) after you put them back on.

Start out working on a simple single cylinder like a trail bike motor or even find a stuffed car motor and strip it apart.

Get the Hayes Manual for your bike, it lists the tasks and the skill level necessary to complete the job. They are a very good investment to make. You will save money doing the day to day maintenence and know what you have to get the shop to do.

[Breed777]

Manual says '90 octane or higher' so 91 should be fine....

[MSTRS:Me]

I am amazed the subject of water in the tank was not brought up especially as the fault showed itself "after fueling".

Good point. But doesn't explain why the float/needle valve failed in at least one of the carbs.

[Breed777]

oh well its at the mechanics now.... guess we will see huh

[Breed777]

quote from an email sent to me from bike mechanic today....

'Our 91 octane is really 89 octane.
Hense the need for higher octane petrol'

[MSTRS:Me]

quote from an email sent to me from bike mechanic today....

'Our 91 octane is really 89 octane.
Hense the need for higher octane petrol'

Take no notice. People have their own ideas about what is good/bad as far as octane in a particular engine is concerned.

I was told recently by a Honda mechanic to always use 91 in a Honda. He reckoned the extra additives in 95 were bad for the engine.

Your bike was designed to run on lower octane fuel. It may perform better on higher octanes, it may not. But none of them are inherently bad for your engine or carbs.

[Breed777]

ok...but he is probably gonna use this to get out of fixing the repairs under warranty.... saying I used the wrong gas....

[MSTRS:Me]

It's not the petrol which caused the issue. It is water and/or dirt in it. I suspect it is dirt, which was there when he sold you the bike.

[Breed777]

Hopefully he sees it that way too.... how much would it cost to rectify the problem if I was paying?

[MSTRS:Me]

How long is a piece of string?
All that job will take is time, and possibly a new needle/seat for the fuel shutoff.
Could be 1-2-3-4 hours depending on what he finds. I'm betting on 1-2 hours, since all he really needs to do is remove the carbs and their bowls, clean up the insides with something appropriate and blow out with compressed air, reassemble, refit and test.

[Breed777]

Cool man, thanks for all the info

[Breed777]

Email from Mechanic....

'Bike is sorted.
Crap in the fuel has caused the carb to flood & excess fuel to run through the engine.
We have serviced the air filter & air box, carb, changed the oil & tuned the bike.
It is running like a dream.

What caused the problems?
Bad fuel? Yes
Rev range of your riding? Maybe. The bike redlines at 18,000rpm so it is best ridden above 5-6,000 rpm is each gear.
Hard to do (I know) when you are learning!!!'

[MSTRS:Me]

Good. Success is only knowledge (and a little luck) away. Now ride that bike. And don't be scared of giving it a bit - within reason

[Breed777]

Asked him what I owe....he says....(it comes to $279)
Attached is the job card / invoice.
It is hard to say if it would have happened if higher octane gas was put in
the bike.
The last thing I want to do is loose a customer over an issue such as this.
You tell me what you feel comfortable paying. 100%, 50%, 0%.
Whatever you think is fair is fine with me.

Jesus I have no Idea ?

[MSTRS:Me]

It had NOTHING to do with the octane of the petrol. He was caught just as much as you were by the existing crud in the fuel system.
I suggest you ask him the value of the oil replaced and his labour for stripping/cleaning/refitting dirty carb, and you pay the balance. Other stuff not really warranty...just the mechanic being thorough.