Hoping for a sanity check from the forum if you all don't mind. My next move is to remove and clean carbs, but has anyone experienced this:
Background: Bought 82 heritage special barely running. Had carbs cleaned and rebuilt (GentlemanJim), to get engine running. was not ridable so did not put road miles on bike.
Then rebuilt top end, valves, rings, cam chain, cam chain guide. Rewired electrical, new reg/rec and charging system components all check out (thanks again all).
Bike was running perfectly - i mean absolutely great for 250 miles as i babied her to break in engine.
Current Situation: While on a fun ride a month ago, and with the bike running well, I grabbed a handful of throttle to go WOT. The engine responded great, with fine high RPM power. After deceleration, about 5 minutes later the bike then started to sputter and stall. Needed to run it on choke to get home. When I gave it throttle, there was a dead flat spot, then the carbs cleared and engine accelerated strongly - took off.
I messed around with a loose exhaust a little, and the problem went away. Bike running great for another 125 miles. Running great. BUT - I now think this was just a coincidence, because I just experienced the same WOT then stall/backfire issue again.
What I did this time:
1) Drained the carb bowls, seemed to be a few specks in there not much. Started it but still running very rough and backfiring. I also heard a sort of metallic "Ting" noise as the engine was idling roughly with choke. Not sure if that is related.
2) Next I lifted the slides and sprayed carb cleaner into the needle jet hole to see if I would get lucky and clean the main jet of any debris that may have been knocked loose during WOT. Drained carb cleaner from bowls.
Now the bike will not start at all. The plugs are grayish, with 400 miles on them.
I am assuming my next step is to re-read the carb manuals, remove the carbs, take them apart and clean them, inspect diaphram.
I am only 400 miles into being a hands on bike owner - have any of you more seasoned riders and mechanics ever diagnosed a similar problem, and if so what was the cure?
Thank you as always. Jay R
Background: Bought 82 heritage special barely running. Had carbs cleaned and rebuilt (GentlemanJim), to get engine running. was not ridable so did not put road miles on bike.
Then rebuilt top end, valves, rings, cam chain, cam chain guide. Rewired electrical, new reg/rec and charging system components all check out (thanks again all).
Bike was running perfectly - i mean absolutely great for 250 miles as i babied her to break in engine.
Current Situation: While on a fun ride a month ago, and with the bike running well, I grabbed a handful of throttle to go WOT. The engine responded great, with fine high RPM power. After deceleration, about 5 minutes later the bike then started to sputter and stall. Needed to run it on choke to get home. When I gave it throttle, there was a dead flat spot, then the carbs cleared and engine accelerated strongly - took off.
I messed around with a loose exhaust a little, and the problem went away. Bike running great for another 125 miles. Running great. BUT - I now think this was just a coincidence, because I just experienced the same WOT then stall/backfire issue again.
What I did this time:
1) Drained the carb bowls, seemed to be a few specks in there not much. Started it but still running very rough and backfiring. I also heard a sort of metallic "Ting" noise as the engine was idling roughly with choke. Not sure if that is related.
2) Next I lifted the slides and sprayed carb cleaner into the needle jet hole to see if I would get lucky and clean the main jet of any debris that may have been knocked loose during WOT. Drained carb cleaner from bowls.
Now the bike will not start at all. The plugs are grayish, with 400 miles on them.
I am assuming my next step is to re-read the carb manuals, remove the carbs, take them apart and clean them, inspect diaphram.
I am only 400 miles into being a hands on bike owner - have any of you more seasoned riders and mechanics ever diagnosed a similar problem, and if so what was the cure?
Thank you as always. Jay R