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1982 maxim 400 running on 1 and a half cylinder

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:54 am
by flycut
Ever since I bought this bike I've had the same problem.
At first I thought it was simply a dirty carb but we cleaned it out last week and the problem stays the same.
One cylinder is too weak. If you hold the throttle and remove the right plug it will keep running but if you remove the left plug at idle there is no power difference at all. If you remove the right plug at idle the bike will stall.
We have not yet ruled out it being a fuel problem but if it's electrical, I'm at a loss.
Someone told me that you cannot adjust timing on these bikes??? Is that right? If so where else could I look?
The bike seems to run fine when cold but as it warms up it will miss fire as you release the throttle and stall after going from 2500rpm(for 5 or more minutes) to idle.

Hope to see some responses.
Thanks in advance.
Vic.

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:14 am
by DivideOverflow
Check the compression in both of the cylinders.. you might need a rebuild.

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:05 pm
by BuzZz
Have you bothered to check your ignition system? Changed plugs? Tryed a spark test with the engine hot?

I'd start there.

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:06 pm
by flycut
Thanks for the quick replies guys.

-Yes I have done a compression and leak test. Both are good.
-I have put in new plugs and fresh gas.
-I've also swapped the coils to see one was weak but the problem remained on the same side, so I think that if it's electrical it's before the coils.

How do you do a spark test?
With a standard voltage meter?
Is that to measure the strength of the spark?

Thank again.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:43 pm
by BuzZz
A spark test is just to make sure you have spark. Changeing plugs and swapping coils would have let you know something was wrong there, and you have compression in both holes.....

....you have carb problems of some type....