Hello there, I am new here but could use some help....I just bought an 81' XS650 a few weeks ago. It drove flawlessly on the test drive but shortly after getting home it began giving me trouble.
Symptoms: Starts well, idles well but it sputters and pops (doesn't die) when I apply the slightest throttle. The exhaust smells VERY rich (dark, wet spark plugs too). Since this began, sometimes I have to tap the starter/kill switch relay to get the starter to engage.
First think I noticed was that the carb flanges were cracked so I replaced them thinking it was sucking in additional air, no improvement. Next, after studying many of the tips here I went through the carbs....twice. There was some debris in one of the carb bowls but all the jets looked clean. The second time through I adjusted one of the floats, check. I also checked and cleaned the tank and petcock, all was okay there, too.
Heres the extra confusing part: I will SOMETIMES start and run great for a few minutes or several miles. I have noticed this occurs more when I have messed with the wires and relays....could it be a bad relay, ground or other connection or should I still be looking into the carbs?? Can I test the relays??
I LOVE this site, I have learned a lot already, thank you!!
The bright side is that I am learning a lot about my bike and I am excited to be it back on the road! Down side....cooler weather next week.
Symptoms: Starts well, idles well but it sputters and pops (doesn't die) when I apply the slightest throttle. The exhaust smells VERY rich (dark, wet spark plugs too). Since this began, sometimes I have to tap the starter/kill switch relay to get the starter to engage.
First think I noticed was that the carb flanges were cracked so I replaced them thinking it was sucking in additional air, no improvement. Next, after studying many of the tips here I went through the carbs....twice. There was some debris in one of the carb bowls but all the jets looked clean. The second time through I adjusted one of the floats, check. I also checked and cleaned the tank and petcock, all was okay there, too.
Heres the extra confusing part: I will SOMETIMES start and run great for a few minutes or several miles. I have noticed this occurs more when I have messed with the wires and relays....could it be a bad relay, ground or other connection or should I still be looking into the carbs?? Can I test the relays??
I LOVE this site, I have learned a lot already, thank you!!
The bright side is that I am learning a lot about my bike and I am excited to be it back on the road! Down side....cooler weather next week.