More carb woes - 1990 VFR

Hi guys

Originally my bike sat for nearly 3years and after several goes I've still got a non running bike.

First time around removed the carbs, cleaned visible grit from main emulsion tubes, small ones as well, cleaned bowls and put it back together. Didn't have compressed air and didn't clear the slow jet well enough I believe. Hence when started up would start on full choke but no part throttle. Seemed to come good on full throttle

Checked - good spark on all leads. Figured carbs were to blame
Pulled carbs off again (easier the second time!) and focused mainly the slow jets - 3 of 4 were blocked in the middle orifice. Used the neighbours compressed air. Reset the floats to 9mm and got some Viton o-rings which fit the float bowl nicely as Honda here doesn't stock the original gaskets anymore (anyway I digress).

Fired up the bike, and it started fairly quickly on choke. Backed off the choke and dropped the throttle and it stalled. Then couldn't restart it. Have tried restarting several times with no joy, pretty much now won't fire at all. Fuel smell is evident.

Any tips - this is driving me crazy! Appreciate your advice and guidance.

 

It sounds like flooding; maybe the floats aren't doing their job? I'd go back over whatever you did with the floats and check that they're cutting the fuel properly.

Might try starting with no choke and throttle wide open.

HTH and good luck.

 

You need to remove everything and dip your carbs in carb cleaner and then blow out with compressed air. There is a myriad of small passageways in the carb that you can't get to and clean without dunking them.

 

Confession!

OK so I have to eat humble pie on this one...

As I'd already given the carbs a good blow out with compressed air, had new plugs, oil, verified spark etc etc, I was feeling pretty lost as to the cause of this one.

Settled in for the evening to pull off the carbs for the THIRD time...

Got the tank off and the aircleaner - what did I find?

The kitchen towels I'd put in the inlet venturis to stop crap getting in there were still there, nicely soaked in fuel and well and truly blocking any airflow.

Surprise, surprise, removing these she jumped to life...

BUT - a few days later I went for a ride, down to the service station to fill her up. Battery nearly didn't start bike, but was only replaced a month ago, thought that was strange and was only charged fully a few days back...so charged the battery enough to start the bike and figured the ride down would charge her up enough for a restart and to get me home.

Initial ride was fine to the servo - no problems - ran great and revved out cleanly. Got to the station- filled up. Then hit the switch. Dead.

Roll started it. Got going up the hill. Was dying in my arms!!! Called the wife, she came down but couldn't find the jumper leads...roll started again. Only got about another 500m before she died again. Then a long push up a steady hill with a full tank in rather humid weather whilst the wife went and kept looking for the jumper leads. Not recommended...

From what I've read on the net, these symptoms are classic dead recti-frier...I've ordered another in anticipation (60,000miles on the odo) and am going through the electrical system now, improving key ground, taking rectifier output direct to battery via 30A fuse, cleaned up battery earth to frame, cleaned up relay contacts and used a silver laden (audiophile!) contact enhancing grease.

Man, I thought I'd done all I had to do...hmmmpH! :soapbox: