Motorcycle stalls/quits running after ~20 mins riding
Motorcycle stalls/quits running after ~20 mins riding
1988 Kawasaki Ninja 600 - This had started to happen, thought it was vapor lock first. Bike would stall out on highway and then crank right back up after a 20-30 min rest. Somone suggested rust in the tank, so I removed the tank and acid washed the inside and resurfaced with the 3 bottle solution/kit(forget name). Replaced inline filter(facing properly) cranked up, rode fine for several minutes. On trip home (50 miles away) bike died on the hwy. It sounded as if it were running out of gas (I'm not a mechanic or professional) - it kind of lurched and felt like a car running out of gas. I had 1/2 a tank, but filled it completely and in about an hour it cranked right up and rode for a mile or so and did the exact same thing, and would not crank again. Any ideas or suggestions? someone mentioned the coil getting hot? TIA for any advice
Sounds to me like the fuel petcock needs to be replaced. I'm guessing it's one of the vacuum operated ones. They can get bunged up and flow fuel all the time, just not enough to keep up with the carbs at speed.
You'll staart it and, if you're going slow enough, it'll run fine. Get out on the highway and when the carbs starve, it'll die. Wait a few minutes for the leak down to catch up, and it'll run fine again.
Here's a quick test. Fire it up and run it at speed. When it starts to die, reach down and put the petcock in "Prime" and push in on it. After a couple seconds, it shoud start running right again.
You'll staart it and, if you're going slow enough, it'll run fine. Get out on the highway and when the carbs starve, it'll die. Wait a few minutes for the leak down to catch up, and it'll run fine again.
Here's a quick test. Fire it up and run it at speed. When it starts to die, reach down and put the petcock in "Prime" and push in on it. After a couple seconds, it shoud start running right again.
A vacuum petcock is automatic. There is no "off" position. Vacuum created by the engine pulls a diaphragm that opens up the fuel flow whenever the engine is running and shuts off the fuel flow when the engine is shut down. Another way to tell if you have a problem with it is if you're taking off the tank and disconnect the fuel line and fuel runs out of the tank. It ain't supposed to do that.
The vacuum line, in all likelihood, is probably not the problem (although if it were cracked and leaking, it could be the problem). The big suspect is the diaphragm in the petcock itself. Given your level of mechanical abilities, the best thing to do is spring for a new petcock assembly.
The repair is fairly straight forward. Run the tank as dry as possible or find some other way to drain it. Remove the bolts that hold the tank on. Remove the lines, vacuum line first and then fuel lines, remembering that the petcock won't stop fuel flow so get it up on it's side as fast as possible. A couple bolts and put the new assembly in. Now when you put the tank back on, fuel shouldn't run down your leg.
And with a vacuum petcock there needs to be a way to bypass the diaphragm and fill empty carbs should you run them dry. After all, it's gotta be runnin to flow fuel. Hence the "Prime" position. Turn the knob there and push in. Fuel will flow freely.
I suppose if you found a manual petcock that fit, you could put it in, but given the time and money it will take, it really won't buy you anything.
The vacuum line, in all likelihood, is probably not the problem (although if it were cracked and leaking, it could be the problem). The big suspect is the diaphragm in the petcock itself. Given your level of mechanical abilities, the best thing to do is spring for a new petcock assembly.
The repair is fairly straight forward. Run the tank as dry as possible or find some other way to drain it. Remove the bolts that hold the tank on. Remove the lines, vacuum line first and then fuel lines, remembering that the petcock won't stop fuel flow so get it up on it's side as fast as possible. A couple bolts and put the new assembly in. Now when you put the tank back on, fuel shouldn't run down your leg.
And with a vacuum petcock there needs to be a way to bypass the diaphragm and fill empty carbs should you run them dry. After all, it's gotta be runnin to flow fuel. Hence the "Prime" position. Turn the knob there and push in. Fuel will flow freely.
I suppose if you found a manual petcock that fit, you could put it in, but given the time and money it will take, it really won't buy you anything.