It's all part of the joys of motorcycling. Imagine the joy your mate will feel when the mechanic gets it up and running. Sounds like it'll be a relatively easy fix if its been sitting for a year.
I think he's pretty frustrated but I keep pointing out that he's going to end up with a good bike that he knows how to work on and with nothing left to do. Hopefully he's convinced!
My first thought, at the very start of your description of the problem, was change the spark plugs (they are a consumable). Then change the fuel and drain the carb float bowls.
Hot one will have a blocked pilot jet and starter jet, carbs are a pain on unused/rarely used bikes these days with the current fuel, needs E5 and carbs draining if the bike is stood over winter. So a full carb strip and clean on all four.
Plugs and work back towards battery…. then check carbs. Probably one carb float bowl full of water via tank condensation. Drain carbs and inspect that for water and gunge. I like singles….. less valves and no balancing required.:D
Often on 4’s, the cylinders work in pairs, eg 1&4-2&3. So could be a clue. But as has been mentioned if it’s been stood with old fuel, that needs to go, fresh fuel then check for sparks etc.
Richard it sounds like either spark or fuel, it most likely carb related if it has been standing for some time. A carb strip and clean sounds needed. Look mat spark first then compresion if you can then carbs.
I'd think the colder cylinder is running too rich and the hot one is running too lean. Spark is the easiest thing to check. If you've got good spark from all the plugs you can move on to the fuelling. Carb rebuild is the end of that particular line of enquiry and can be done by the user carefully. It's only expensive the first time you do it... In principle
Fuel, ignition, or compression. In that order. Does it have carburettors ? if so check for blocked jets. A year left standing! I Hope it didn't have E10 in it. If it's fuel injection then I have no clue. Other than listening for the fuel pump to kick in when the ignition is switched on.
Yep, it's carbs. I was chatting with someone the other day who suggested a stuck float, which might fit with what he's experiencing. Lots of bits to check!
It is never bad to encourage others to get into bikes. They make the world a better place! Hope he can sort it, I'd suggest flushing the tank and fresh E5 fuel and a new fuel filter if it has one and service the petcock. Then it is a case of checking all the carbs are balanced and set correctly... and then just remind him that you don't get this faff from fuel injection! 😀 Hahaha 😀
It's all part of the joys of motorcycling. Imagine the joy your mate will feel when the mechanic gets it up and running. Sounds like it'll be a relatively easy fix if its been sitting for a year.
I think he's pretty frustrated but I keep pointing out that he's going to end up with a good bike that he knows how to work on and with nothing left to do. Hopefully he's convinced!
My first thought, at the very start of your description of the problem, was change the spark plugs (they are a consumable). Then change the fuel and drain the carb float bowls.
The carburetor jets are possibly clogged and the float needles could also cause a problem , strip and clean the carbs will probably sort things.
@@Jim-nm1en yeah, next job after changing plugs, fresh fuel and bowl drain.
The plugs have been changed. Looks like carbs are the next thing on the list to check. Thanks for the advice!
Hot one will have a blocked pilot jet and starter jet, carbs are a pain on unused/rarely used bikes these days with the current fuel, needs E5 and carbs draining if the bike is stood over winter. So a full carb strip and clean on all four.
That's what we are thinking at the moment. Thanks for the info!
Plugs and work back towards battery…. then check carbs. Probably one carb float bowl full of water via tank condensation. Drain carbs and inspect that for water and gunge.
I like singles….. less valves and no balancing required.:D
I too am a singleton. My main bike is an inline 4 but I really covet a bullet 500 just for the total lack of nonsense on them (and the looks)
Haha! Good point on the balancing! of a single 😀
Often on 4’s, the cylinders work in pairs, eg 1&4-2&3. So could be a clue. But as has been mentioned if it’s been stood with old fuel, that needs to go, fresh fuel then check for sparks etc.
Thanks for the advice! Loads of things to try 🙂
Richard it sounds like either spark or fuel, it most likely carb related if it has been standing for some time. A carb strip and clean sounds needed. Look mat spark first then compresion if you can then carbs.
Cheers Nev. Since I made the video it's had new plugs and the coils tested and also had a compression check. It's certainly looking like a carb issue.
I'd think the colder cylinder is running too rich and the hot one is running too lean. Spark is the easiest thing to check. If you've got good spark from all the plugs you can move on to the fuelling.
Carb rebuild is the end of that particular line of enquiry and can be done by the user carefully. It's only expensive the first time you do it... In principle
Thanks for the advice 🙂
Fuel, ignition, or compression. In that order. Does it have carburettors ? if so check for blocked jets. A year left standing! I Hope it didn't have E10 in it. If it's fuel injection then I have no clue. Other than listening for the fuel pump to kick in when the ignition is switched on.
Yep, it's carbs. I was chatting with someone the other day who suggested a stuck float, which might fit with what he's experiencing. Lots of bits to check!
It is never bad to encourage others to get into bikes. They make the world a better place!
Hope he can sort it, I'd suggest flushing the tank and fresh E5 fuel and a new fuel filter if it has one and service the petcock. Then it is a case of checking all the carbs are balanced and set correctly... and then just remind him that you don't get this faff from fuel injection! 😀 Hahaha 😀
I may have mentioned the fuel injection once or twice 😀
@@CalmBiker 😀 Hahaha, am sure that was appreciated! 😀