Random problems: stalling, not starting, odd high revving

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abscr · #1 Unread post by **abscr** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:16 pm

'06 Yamaha 650 V-Star Custom, 520 miles.

My problems started with it dying while stopped (stop lights, etc.). I adjusted the idle and that problem was fixed. I believe it ran pretty well after that. Now, when I shift gears, it seems like it revs really high when I bring the clutch in, like if I was idling and really pulled on the throttle (should sound like an "oo" (as in "boo"), and it sounds more like an "eee"). Whenever I really take it easy on accelerating, it does not do this; but, when I accelerate what seems like normal, it does.

Furthermore, today I was practicing starting off and messing with my friction zone (this was done in a parking garage) and I accelerated up to 20 mph and I was in second, and when I pulled in the clutch it revved really high and it wasn't coming down so I killed the engine. To be clear, I will accelerate, pull in the clutch while letting go of the throttle and it will be revving high, so it's while the clutch is fully disengaged, and no throttle; I believe it might go down if I wait a bit, except for today when I had to kill the engine, but it still seems to go on a bit too long.

Also while practicing today, there were two occasions where it stalled and wouldn't restart. The first time, it would run for about a second and then die. I got it going again by hitting the starter and then revving the engine, and then it would be ok, and sound like it was idling ok. When it happened again, it wouldn't even idle for a second; it shouldn't be out of gas, but just to make sure, I put it on reserve and it did the same thing. It ended up starting again by hitting the starter with my left hand while revving quickly with my right. Then, again, the idle sounded fine.

The only other notable thing during the practice session was that at the beginning, I could let out the clutch real slowly without any throttle, and the momentum that got going was enough to get going. Then, in the middle of the session, I couldn't do that. I took a five minute break, and after the second time it wouldn't start, I could again get it going without any throttle.

Another odd thing that happened while heading to work was it stalled with the clutch in while going about 30-40 mph. I was going 50, I went into the turning lane and put in the clutch while braking (I was going to get to around 15, and then put it in second to make the turn). So, the clutch was in, going about 30, and it stalled; I hit the starter and it came back on. Luckily, I was 50 yards from work. This was yesterday.

The only thing that I can think of that has "happened" is that on Tuesday, it got a little rained on during work. But, on the way home, it ran fine; no notable problems, except for the high revving during shifting.

I don't know what the idle is set at (no tach), but today, it would run at about 5 mph without any throttle in first gear, just coasting, if that helps with the idle speed (http://www.650ccnd.com/calc.htm) . . . .

Sorry for the long post, but I don't know much about motorcycle engines and I wanted to give the entire picture. If I can think of anything else, I will update you. I also might just bring it in for the 600 mile checkup and tell them some of my problems, but I wanted some extra advice on what it might be from some people that aren't trying to take my money . . . . Thanks for any help.

abscr · #2 Unread post by **abscr** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:24 pm

Too many unrelated matters to tackle? I guess I'll just bring it in.

abscr · #3 Unread post by **abscr** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:44 am

If anyone still cares . . .

I took it in and they went through the 600mi checkup (does anyone know exactly what they do for the 650 v-star, so I can put in my manual exactly what was done, or does it vary from shop to shop?), which included balancing the carbs and adjusting the valves, which I think it needed. They found that my carb was also dirty, along with the pilot jet being a bit clogged, so, that was probably the main problem I was having. Which, as someone not knowing the exact ins/outs of the engine, makes sense to me; the jet was a bit clogged, so the engine wasn't getting the necessary fuel, so it would cut out.

The ride home was nice, because it sounded and ran really well; better than at any point that I've had it. It put a big smile on my face to have it running well and not worrying about stalling going at 40 or at a stop light.

As a funny (as in, not funny) aside, when I was trying to get to the dealership, I could only get <1 mile before it would stall on me going around 30-40 and I would have to pull to the side of the road. I wouldn't be able to start it again for a couple of minutes. While hitting the starter, it would crank, but not start. This happened 3 or 4 times (I just wanted to get it there . . .) and then it would not start again. I ended up calling them from the side of the road and they got in contact with a towing company to pick me up, which amounted to $50, which I gladly paid.

So, in summation, does anyone know what happens to make your jets clogged? All I did was adjust the idle up (probably too much); is that sufficient to cause that, or is there something else I might have been doing to cause that? Is that just one of the things that I need to periodically check and clean out? And if nothing else, I hope this thread helps someone else as a starting place to look if they end up having similar problems.

mgdavis · #4 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:10 pm

Re: Clogged jets.
I bet you stored it over the winter without treating or draining the fuel, and then it wasn't running so great when you pulled it out again. Am I right?

The 600mi service is essentially tightening bolts and changing oil, the dealer follows the manufacturer requirements. I'd just write in "600mi Service at X Dealership".

abscr · #5 Unread post by **abscr** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:34 pm

Actually, I just bought it from someone last month. Here is his initial email to me answering some questions:

My wife had gotten her license last year and thought she would enjoy riding. That is not the case. She would rather be a passenger.
This bike has NEVER been dropped or crashed. It is in show floor condition.
There is nothing wrong with this bike in any way shape or form.
No work has had to be done to it.
We bought it bran new at Hitching Post in Fridley one year ago.
We put floor boards on it.
The bike was stored in our second garage over the winter.
We put the battery in the house for the winter and put stabil in the gas tank for the winter.
We have the owners manual.
My wife rode the bike last summer just cruising around.
Yes you may bring your mecanic to look at the bike.
If you would like to see the bike feel free to give me a call.

He even made sure I was aware about how to store it over the winter. I forget the exact procedure he told me (something about burning down the gas and putting something in the tank), but it was close to what I've read you are supposed to do, I think. So, if he was telling me what I had to do and with his response above, I imagine he did it correctly. He also had some four wheelers in his garage and has another motorcycle himself, making it seem like he knew what he was doing. I'll be sure to have it done correctly this winter, though, to make sure.

It is definitely running way better than when I picked it up from him, so it could possibly be described as not "running so great".

mgdavis · #6 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:45 pm

Ah, I was thinking that you bought it last year, didn't realize that you didn't pick it up new. It's possible that the Stabil wasn't enough, or that some crud made it from the tank to the carb. Hard to tell online, eh. Good luck with it, glad it's working well for you now.

#7 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:50 pm

Sounds like a vacuum leak to mees.

abscr · #8 Unread post by **abscr** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:55 pm

sev wrote:Sounds like a vacuum leak to mees.

Er, do you think it still might be a vacuum leak after the carb/jet have been cleaned and it seems like it is fixed? I mean, you really seem to know what you're talking about from reading the forum (do you work in a shop in Canada?), so I appreciate any info you can give me. It just seems like it's fixed. What makes you think that?