Bike runs fine, then doesn't
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- Rookie
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 10:31 am
- Real Name: Tim
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 1
- My Motorcycle: 86 yamaha virago
Re: Bike runs fine, then doesn't
Yes when I first got the bike I rode fine for at least a half hour 15 miles or so and took it home. Then the problem started happening the next time I rode it and looked in tank and there seemed to be rust in the gas but I didn't think much of it. Maybe that's what is in my carbs now messing it up?
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- Legendary 300
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:10 pm
- Real Name: Ron
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 34
- My Motorcycle: 1988 BMW R100GS
- Location: Ft. Collins, CO.
Re: Bike runs fine, then doesn't
thiber wrote:Yes when I first got the bike I rode fine for at least a half hour 15 miles or so and took it home. Then the problem started happening the next time I rode it and looked in tank and there seemed to be rust in the gas but I didn't think much of it. Maybe that's what is in my carbs now messing it up?
Ugh.
Installing an inline fuel filter immediately is what I'd do next.
Then flush the carb bowls of rust particles (bowl drains into a glass jar so you can see the flakes to prove to yourself that's happening)
Then start finding ways to deal with the rust in the tank.
Ron
Current: 1988 BMW R100GS (the 'numberplate' model)
Past: 1987 Yamaha XT350
1983 Honda CB900F
1980 Honda XL185S
1979 Suzuki GS425E
Current: 1988 BMW R100GS (the 'numberplate' model)
Past: 1987 Yamaha XT350
1983 Honda CB900F
1980 Honda XL185S
1979 Suzuki GS425E
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- Rookie
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2013 10:31 am
- Real Name: Tim
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 1
- My Motorcycle: 86 yamaha virago
Re: Bike runs fine, then doesn't
Sorry man first bike not good at this stuff but thank for helping. Would I be able to find the inline fuel filter here?http://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/#/l/ya ... 00ss-parts
I already drained the tank last week and put new gas in it with sea foam but I'll drain the carbs again. (Unscrewing the plug right?)
I already drained the tank last week and put new gas in it with sea foam but I'll drain the carbs again. (Unscrewing the plug right?)
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- Legendary 300
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 2:10 pm
- Real Name: Ron
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 34
- My Motorcycle: 1988 BMW R100GS
- Location: Ft. Collins, CO.
Re: Bike runs fine, then doesn't
Ya gotta start somewhere to learn stuff. When you figure it out you'll be a LOT smarterthiber wrote:Sorry man first bike not good at this stuff but thank for helping. Would I be able to find the inline fuel filter here?http://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/#/l/ya ... 00ss-parts
I already drained the tank last week and put new gas in it with sea foam but I'll drain the carbs again. (Unscrewing the plug right?)

I didn't go to your link. Inline filter isn't a normal motorcycle part. Take your rubber fuel line to a small engine shop or the local home improvement place. You're looking for something suitable for a lawn mower which has similar diameter rubber hose between tank and carb. Best to find one that's transparent, or at least translucent, so you can see if there is gunk being captured.
Carb drains on bikes and one truck that I've had were screws somewhere on the bottom of the bowl. You don't remove the screw, just turn it so that gas flows out freely. Kinda like a water faucet. Try to drain the gas into a container so you can look at it and see if there is water or rust flakes coming out.
There can be other problems that cause your symptoms but start with the basics first. Clean fuel thru unvarnished carbs is a basic. (lots of people have caused lots of bike troubles by not doing proper layup storage - or so I've heard. ) Could also be alcohol in the gas giving problems.
Ron
Current: 1988 BMW R100GS (the 'numberplate' model)
Past: 1987 Yamaha XT350
1983 Honda CB900F
1980 Honda XL185S
1979 Suzuki GS425E
Current: 1988 BMW R100GS (the 'numberplate' model)
Past: 1987 Yamaha XT350
1983 Honda CB900F
1980 Honda XL185S
1979 Suzuki GS425E