crashcourse
XS650 Addict
This problem doesn't make sense to me:
Bike starts up after sitting since September on first push of the starter button. Idles fine, everything sounds good, except for a slight tapping that I think is one of the valves. Take it out on the street, ride to the store, less than a mile. After maybe ten minutes I'm on my way home, and when I'm idling in first at the stoplight my engine losses power, rpms lag. I give it some throttle to keep it alive. By the time I'm home, even that won't keep it going. I pull in the clutch or try to idle,the engine just cuts out. I started it up again this morning to listen and look it over. Starts fine, runs great, for about five or ten minutes. It's on the center stand, so I put it in gear and let the back tire spin at idle. Pull in the clutch, back tire doesn't stop until I brake. Let off the brake and it starts spinning with the clutch still in. Gets a little warmer, engine starts to die.
All I can figure out: it isn't the carbs, fuel/air mixture is fine (unless there's something going on in there I don't know about, engine temperature shouldn't negatively effect carbs). It isn't electrical, since it starts strong and runs fine.
Could it be compression? When cold the engine might seal better, but as it warms up the oil viscosity drops and it springs a leak (I've noticed a few drops under where I park, but nothing that would indicate a massive leak).
Could it be the transmission? If the clutch plates warm up and expand, they might start to bind.
The only things that have changed since this was a daily rider were the ignition coil going out (replaced in the fall, but then it was too icy to ride), and my roommate knocked the bike over with his car, which did what I thought was only cosmetic damage (his insurance *finally* paid me - never deal with Farmers).
Any input on where to troubleshoot would be great!
Bike starts up after sitting since September on first push of the starter button. Idles fine, everything sounds good, except for a slight tapping that I think is one of the valves. Take it out on the street, ride to the store, less than a mile. After maybe ten minutes I'm on my way home, and when I'm idling in first at the stoplight my engine losses power, rpms lag. I give it some throttle to keep it alive. By the time I'm home, even that won't keep it going. I pull in the clutch or try to idle,the engine just cuts out. I started it up again this morning to listen and look it over. Starts fine, runs great, for about five or ten minutes. It's on the center stand, so I put it in gear and let the back tire spin at idle. Pull in the clutch, back tire doesn't stop until I brake. Let off the brake and it starts spinning with the clutch still in. Gets a little warmer, engine starts to die.
All I can figure out: it isn't the carbs, fuel/air mixture is fine (unless there's something going on in there I don't know about, engine temperature shouldn't negatively effect carbs). It isn't electrical, since it starts strong and runs fine.
Could it be compression? When cold the engine might seal better, but as it warms up the oil viscosity drops and it springs a leak (I've noticed a few drops under where I park, but nothing that would indicate a massive leak).
Could it be the transmission? If the clutch plates warm up and expand, they might start to bind.
The only things that have changed since this was a daily rider were the ignition coil going out (replaced in the fall, but then it was too icy to ride), and my roommate knocked the bike over with his car, which did what I thought was only cosmetic damage (his insurance *finally* paid me - never deal with Farmers).
Any input on where to troubleshoot would be great!
