Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi all, new to the forum.

I have a 1983 Honda Nighthawk 550 and it quite on me the other day just riding down the road.

It will now start but ONLY if the choke is not on and the gas is held all the way. Even like this it is not rideable as it is only at 1000rpms and will die as soon as you let off the throttle.

I have changed the spark plugs (been meaning too anyways) and there is also fuel flow from the petcock.

What else should I look for?

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you've got a rich idle problem. Possible solutions - your idle jet popped out and is sitting in the bottom of your float bowl, or the idle mix screws are way out of whack.

Using the choke enrichens your fuel mixture - the fact that you have to hold the throttle all the way open (to allow maximum air in) means that you've got too much fuel getting to the engine at idle.