Rookie Mistake

T

trainerdude

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Got my M1 over the weekend and before I even passed the test I had bought my first bike. Really should have taken a little more time to find the right one.. It was the second bike I looked at and the price was really good. Guy selling it seemed really cool and knew his bikes...had it running, but it was un plated and so it never was taken for a ride. Picked it up today and took it to West End Cycle...owner was super nice and did the safety and fixed an issue with the break light staying on. I took the trailer home, registered the bike and took my new plate back to finally ride it home....no such luck. Bike keeps stalling and I get get it into gear without it stopping. Move the choke even a little and it won't stay running....left it at West End tonight and hoping I am not out too much tomorrow to get this bike running right. Mad at myself for jumping in so quickly.

Here is hoping it's not too expensive and I have some good riding this summer!
 
or maybe a faulty clutch switch? I really don't know.

What bike, year?
 
ZX600 said:
or maybe a faulty clutch switch? I really don't know.

What bike, year?
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2006 Yamaha Virago 250...idle is ok with choke fully open, but very low, can't move the choke more than 1/4 without a stall. Same thing with putting it in gear to go forward.
 
check battery cables and test battery
yours carbs and needles could need cleaning

try running a bottle of seafoam through the system (follow directions) or look fro something stronger.
you can probably take it apart and clean yourself

check the air filter too

when was the last time the plugs and wires changed?
 
-D- said:
check battery cables and test battery
yours carbs and needles could need cleaning

try running a bottle of seafoam through the system (follow directions) or look fro something stronger.
you can probably take it apart and clean yourself

check the air filter too

when was the last time the plugs and wires changed?
Click to expand...



As this is my first bike, (Other than dirt bikes growing up) I don't feel comfortable doing any repairs to it myself just yet. I have left it with Joe at West End Cycle...hoping tomorrow he tells me it won't be too costly. It has a brand new battery and was stored all winter and yet to be ridden this year. Not sure when the last time anything was changed to be honest...I kinda went into this a little blind and really should have taken more time.
 
trainerdude said:
As this is my first bike, (Other than dirt bikes growing up) I don't feel comfortable doing any repairs to it myself just yet. I have left it with Joe at West End Cycle...hoping tomorrow he tells me it won't be too costly. It has a brand new battery and was stored all winter and yet to be ridden this year. Not sure when the last time anything was changed to be honest...I kinda went into this a little blind and really should have taken more time.

R u the biker with the stalled bike like yesterday at Milton that I stopped for and pushed it down the hill?
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Most likely carbs need a good cleaning, especially if the choke is affecting idle that much. Shouldn't be too costly.

Sent from my Le Pan TC802A using Tapatalk
 
+1 on the carb likely being dirty. Could also be a cracked inlet manifold (between the heads) creating a big vacuum leak.
 
Might not be the issue, but perhaps dump the gas for a fresh fill. Siphon out (can add to your car's tank) and then put fresh gas in.
 
R u the biker with the stalled bike like yesterday at Milton that I stopped for and pushed it down the hill?[/QUOTE said:
no....My bike is at West End Cycle in Caledon. A guy shouted at me "nothing like the open road".....was sad I couldn't find out yesterday...lol
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Iceman said:
Most likely carbs need a good cleaning, especially if the choke is affecting idle that much. Shouldn't be too costly.

Sent from my Le Pan TC802A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks...I guess this would be a good time to only have 1 carb. I will pop back in once I find out and let you know.
 
so seller had it running no issues? (on stand, by itself)

But when you get it, you can't keep it running anymore? (on stand, by itself)

or is it that when you put it into gear, it begins to stall? (riding)
 
JFD said:
so seller had it running no issues? (on stand, by itself)

But when you get it, you can't keep it running anymore? (on stand, by itself)

or is it that when you put it into gear, it begins to stall? (riding)
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These points are key. If it is only when moving then that means it could be something like the clutch if it isn't adjusted right, or a sensor, or even rider-error (OP is a new rider after all).
 
trainerdude said:
...Guy selling it seemed really cool and knew his bikes...had it running, but it was un plated and so it never was taken for a ride...Mad at myself for jumping in so quickly...
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I'm normally a stand up guy for laws, but in this case I would have taken it for a very short ride. You also need to know if the transmission is ok, and the only way to do this is to run through the gears. Do they shift up and down smoothly. The carb at idle uses the idle circuit, rev it higher and the carb uses a different circuit. Also, was the bike cold when you arrived, or was it prestarted? A prestarted bike is easier to restart.

We're hoping it is something small. I, too, vote for a carb clean. The Yamaha Virago 250 is a solid and simple bike that should last a very long time, so definitely fixable.
 
TorontoBoy said:
I'm normally a stand up guy for laws, but in this case I would have taken it for a very short ride. You also need to know if the transmission is ok, and the only way to do this is to run through the gears. Do they shift up and down smoothly. The carb at idle uses the idle circuit, rev it higher and the carb uses a different circuit. Also, was the bike cold when you arrived, or was it prestarted? A prestarted bike is easier to restart.

We're hoping it is something small. I, too, vote for a carb clean. The Yamaha Virago 250 is a solid and simple bike that should last a very long time, so definitely fixable.
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problem is, i don't think there are many that would let a prospective buyer test ride their bike. on the flipside, i don't think there are many established riders that would expect to be allowed to ride a prospective bike either.

Insurance issues aside from an incident, the odds of that bike never coming back are high. (no van required) yes there are contingencies but still.
 
trainerdude said:
Got my M1 over the weekend and before I even passed the test I had bought my first bike. Really should have taken a little more time to find the right one.. It was the second bike I looked at and the price was really good. Guy selling it seemed really cool and knew his bikes...had it running, but it was un plated and so it never was taken for a ride. Picked it up today and took it to West End Cycle...owner was super nice and did the safety and fixed an issue with the break light staying on. I took the trailer home, registered the bike and took my new plate back to finally ride it home....no such luck. Bike keeps stalling and I get get it into gear without it stopping. Move the choke even a little and it won't stay running....left it at West End tonight and hoping I am not out too much tomorrow to get this bike running right. Mad at myself for jumping in so quickly.

Here is hoping it's not too expensive and I have some good riding this summer!
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it man.. When I got my bike it would just shut off on me too every time I tried to take off.. Turns out there was just some road **** built up on the kickstand switch and I just cleaned it off with some wd40 and I haven't had an issue since. If it is a carb cleaning.. That is also simple.. If you wanna cut down the cost on it id help you remove them and then you can decide if you want to clean them or have them cleaned at a shop. It's a simple job really. anyway it's probably not anything to worry about
 
JFD said:
so seller had it running no issues? (on stand, by itself)

But when you get it, you can't keep it running anymore? (on stand, by itself)

or is it that when you put it into gear, it begins to stall? (riding)
Click to expand...

Seller had it running and even put in a new battery. He didn't really rev it much, just showed it was running. He did mention that the carbs were a little rough but had me bring him a carb cleaner for the gas tank and figured that would solve the issue. I don't know enough about bikes to question beyond that and figured it would be ok to ride, but might need time to clear out....it would idle fine, but if you tried to put in gear and go, or close the choke, it would stall.
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