Rookie Mistake

Forum Sponsor
trainerdude said:
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.
Click to expand...

Sorry, he asked you to bring him carb cleaner?

That would have been my first hint.

Anyhow, it does sound like a simple fuel/carb related issue so hopefully it's not an expensive experience for you. Lots of summer left to enjoy, once you get it together and running ride safe.
 
mistersouthpaw said:
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
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer...the bike is actually with the mechanic now and is getting some work done. He thought it was the spark plugs, which would have been a cheap answer for me, but now it's looking like the carbs are all plugged up. He is getting to it first thing tomorrow and letting it soak in solution, so I am hoping I may finally get my first ride tomorrow after they are done...costs are adding up...and again, this was a very valuable lesson of what not to do. When I buy a bigger bike one day, I will be sure to do a lot of learning on mechanics on this one so I know what to look for.

I have my M2 training course this weekend so at least I will get in some sort of riding this weekend.
 
PrivatePilot said:
Sorry, he asked you to bring him carb cleaner?

That would have been my first hint.

Anyhow, it does sound like a simple fuel/carb related issue so hopefully it's not an expensive experience for you. Lots of summer left to enjoy, once you get it together and running ride safe.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that is where my inexperience really kicks is...lol. I figured it would be as simple as that stuff goes in and it would sort itself out on the ride home. I didn't for a second think it meant the bike wouldn't be able to be ridden home.
 
trainerdude said:
...this was a very valuable lesson of what not to do. When I buy a bigger bike one day, I will be sure to do a lot of learning on mechanics on this one so I know what to look for.

I have my M2 training course this weekend so at least I will get in some sort of riding this weekend.
Click to expand...

Live and learn.

It may well be a blessing in disguise to get the M1X course in before heading out onto the streets on your bike. For a lot of people heading out after having written a 60-odd question multiple choice test ends badly. Having practical skills drilled into your for a couple of days goes a long way to ensuring you're off on the right foot out there.
 
x2 getting the course under your belt first. Many are amazed to find out exactly how much they didn't know after they take it. It WILL make you a better and safer rider and taking it before you start self-learning bad habits will be beneficial.
 
trainerdude said:
Thanks for the offer...the bike is actually with the mechanic now and is getting some work done. He thought it was the spark plugs, which would have been a cheap answer for me, but now it's looking like the carbs are all plugged up. He is getting to it first thing tomorrow and letting it soak in solution, so I am hoping I may finally get my first ride tomorrow after they are done...costs are adding up...and again, this was a very valuable lesson of what not to do. When I buy a bigger bike one day, I will be sure to do a lot of learning on mechanics on this one so I know what to look for.

I have my M2 training course this weekend so at least I will get in some sort of riding this weekend.
Click to expand...

Haha alright man if you're downtown you can hit me up if you want to ride
 
trainerdude said:
Thanks for the offer...the bike is actually with the mechanic now and is getting some work done. He thought it was the spark plugs, which would have been a cheap answer for me, but now it's looking like the carbs are all plugged up. He is getting to it first thing tomorrow and letting it soak in solution, so I am hoping I may finally get my first ride tomorrow after they are done...costs are adding up...and again, this was a very valuable lesson of what not to do. When I buy a bigger bike one day, I will be sure to do a lot of learning on mechanics on this one so I know what to look for.

I have my M2 training course this weekend so at least I will get in some sort of riding this weekend.
Click to expand...

Yea it happens with carbureted engines. I just cleaned mine two weeks ago..I've had to have the carb cleaned on my boat motor so many times. Fuel stabilizer helps that but maybe the guy you bought it from didn't put any in the tank before winter.
 
Key things for carbs is to avoid letting fuel, especially old fuel, sit in them for extended periods on non usage. Being stored for the winter is one thing, but some people who might only ride a few hundred K every season could potentially have 1-2 year old gas still in the fuel system and that's where issues begin - even fresh fuel at that point won't fix things, only a teardown and cleaning will.

Myself, for anything I own with a carb, if it's going to be sitting for an extended period, I add a hefty dose of fuel stabilizer to a full tank of ethanol free fuel, run it for a bit under load (enough to at least circulate the stabilizer through the entire fuel system) then I shut off the fuel and run the engine dry. Then crank it a few times and make SURE it's dry to the point it won't even fire anymore with the choke on full.

This gets rid of most of the fuel in the float bowl, passages, etc etc and helps prevent varnish and gum....then after that's all done, if you really want to go that extra step, fog the cylinders through the carb(s).
 
He probably left the gas in it over the winter with no stabilizer in it. The ethanol in the gas creates a residue build up in the jets in your carb. From your description it is probably your pilot jet and will need to be replaced. If you store your bike with gas in it over the winter, use a super unleaded that advertises as having no ethanol. I find regular gas, even with stabilizer, is creating issues with the jets in my bikes.
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am pretty sure he left gas in it over the winter. I will be sure to pay close attention to this thread when I get it ready for storage this winter.....hopefully after a long season of riding !

I plan on leaning as much maintenance on this bike as I can as I understand it to be a pretty basic engine and a good one to learn on.
 
mistersouthpaw said:
Haha alright man if you're downtown you can hit me up if you want to ride
Click to expand...



If this sucker ever gets running and on the road I may just take you up on that offer! Would like to find some groups in the GTA area to do some rides with and learn from some experienced riders as well.
 
It could be something as simple as adjusting pilot, all carbs have screw to adjust air/fuel mix... but sounds like may be too late to try now that shop has already started working on it. Sorry to hear your riding has had to wait, but like others' have said, maybe best after the course... good luck!
 
trainerdude said:
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.
Click to expand...

Just how much carb cleaner did he pour into the tank? If he poured most of the carb cleaner into a small tank of gas that would be your problem. Carb cleaner (ALL carb cleaner) has kerosene as the main ingredient. It burns very dirty and fouls your spark plugs. It also is not as combustible as gasoline so you would have to leave the choke on to get the engine to run until you use up the fuel, then fill it with a fresh tank of gas. At the end of that exercise you would have to clean the spark plugs with a wire brush.

Anyway, the mechanic is sure to figure this out. He will clean your plugs and carb (which it probably needs anyway). He will then likely replace the fuel in the tank. But it's going to cost.
 
Roadghost said:
Just how much carb cleaner did he pour into the tank? If he poured most of the carb cleaner into a small tank of gas that would be your problem. Carb cleaner (ALL carb cleaner) has kerosene as the main ingredient. It burns very dirty and fouls your spark plugs. It also is not as combustible as gasoline so you would have to leave the choke on to get the engine to run until you use up the fuel, then fill it with a fresh tank of gas. At the end of that exercise you would have to clean the spark plugs with a wire brush.

Anyway, the mechanic is sure to figure this out. He will clean your plugs and carb (which it probably needs anyway). He will then likely replace the fuel in the tank. But it's going to cost.
Click to expand...

Not sure...I wasn't there when he did it...or even if he did actually....I am hoping the costs come in below $400 for everything....so far he replaced the plugs and is cleaning out the carb today. It's only 1 carb, so that should keep the cost down a little...or so I hope.
 
trainerdude said:
Not sure...I wasn't there when he did it...or even if he did actually....I am hoping the costs come in below $400 for everything....so far he replaced the plugs and is cleaning out the carb today. It's only 1 carb, so that should keep the cost down a little...or so I hope.
Click to expand...
Yeah don't worry too much. This should all be a very small bump in your path. It really shouldn't cost much and then you'll be on your way. Cleaning the carbs in a bike that's been sitting is common. The rest of you season should be relatively trouble free.

Sent from my Le Pan TC802A using Tapatalk
 
what kind of bike is it ?
 
Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. The bike is finally home. Put in 120k on it tonight getting it home and a quick spin around the area. I had so much fun and felt very comfortable on it. No stalls!

Now time to do some research on cleaning it up a little and basic maintenance!
 
Good news...how much was the bill? Hopefully they didn't soak you too bad for a carb cleaning.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom