backfiring and loss of power what is wrong with it?

I just bought an 82 magna it would not idle but if played with the gas would run good down the road. Got home and messed with the idle screw and got it to idle. Took it back out on the road and after a few blocks it started backfiring and lost power. Can anyone give some help?

 

how is the gas in the tank? is there a possibility that you could have bad gas?

 

If the bike's been sitting for a while there's a good possibility the gas has gone bad. You've either fouled a plug(s) got a carb gummed up, or both. Flush the fuel tank, drain the carbs, replace the plugs and hope that does it. You could fill a spray bottle with water and while the bike is idling, spray the head pipes to determine which cylinder isn't firing. Good Luck.

 

the bike had been sitting for awhile before i got it. Drained the tank and the carbs changed the plugs. Added new gas with some sea foam to help clean it out. Was running good until it started backfiring

 

Backfiring usually means lean.
I'd start looking for anyplace it could be leaking in extra air.

 

What do you mean by loss of power?

 

would'nt run rite would hardly do 20mph

 

I thought maybe you meant loss of power as in, headlights won't work, nothing comes on loss of power.

 

looks like you are going to have to clean out the jets.

 

that is what i was thinking to hate that carbs look like a pain to pull.