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Motorcycle Repair/Questions Answered by Expert Wayne S.
| Subject | Date Asked |
| 88' Honda Shadow | 9/9/2011 |
| Q: Have checked electrical leading up to coils and it gets fire in to both coils but nothing out. Have ... A: Depending on your bike's layout it will have one or two spark units and usually two pulse generator ... | |
| Float Height - Yamaha DT100 | 9/8/2011 |
| Q: Wayne Picked up an answer given back in 2007 regarding a DT100 in which you suggested the float ... A: The float height for the DT100 is about 21 mm measured by removing the float bowl, turn the carb ... | |
| 1985 goldwing | 9/7/2011 |
| Q: My Goldwing quits running after about 10 minutes. If it sits for about 30, it will start again only ... A: A backfire can be a sign of a lean fuel supply. If your fuel pump flow seems okay then it could be ... | |
| 1996 750 Honda Magna | 9/6/2011 |
| Q: I have had this bike about a month. I had ridden it about 50 miles since I had it with no problems. ... A: the fuel pump should pump about 30 ounces per minute. If you run it for 5 seconds and then check ... | |
| turn signals | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1997 harley sportster and the previous owner took the front turn signals off so when i turn ... A: The signal lights work according to the current flow in the circuit. If you add some bulbs or ... | |
| 2000 Yamaha 1100 V Custom Star bogging. | 9/4/2011 |
| Q: Bike starts and idles fine. Front plug is white (not tan). Rear plug is black and sooty. When going ... A: If your bike has ever run well then it should not have been rejetted as this only tries to ... | |
| kids scrambler | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: it has got a pull start cord but the trouble is we dont know if we starting it wrong or whether it ... A: If the bike is 50cc it might be a two-stroke engine. If it is the larger 110cc the engine would be a ... | |
| main fuse holder | 9/2/2011 |
| Q: how do i reconnect the main fuse holder on a 1980 susuki gs450l? the previous owner took it off and ... A: The main fuse should be located behind the left side cover on the bike. It is clipped into a holder ... | |
| 2004 kawasaki 1500 classic | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: The starter motor spins and does not engage the engine. If I rock the bike, it might engage briefly ... A: The problem is likely your starter drive clutch slipping. This is a one-way device that allows the ... | |
| stator | 8/31/2011 |
| Q: Wayne, Hello again. Still haven't gotten Shadow running yet. I visited www.customrewind.com and ... A: I suggest having your old stator rewound if you cannot find a new one anywhere. Try these guys: ... | |
| safety switch | 8/30/2011 |
| Q: I have a 2000 model honda vt1100-c3. the bike starts fine, but kills when you put it in gear. This ... A: If it is the neutral switch causing this problem then you can just take the one light green/red wire ... | |
| 1985 yamaha xj700 maxim | 8/29/2011 |
| Q: I have recently bought a xj700 and when I bought it the battery was dead so we jumped it it ran no ... A: Here are a few possibilities for the high engine speed. Check the throttle cable is not out of ... | |
| 68 CL350 Timing chain and cam placement | 8/28/2011 |
| Q: I'm rebuilding a 68 CL350. I've installed the cam to the chain, lined the pin on the cam upward, but ... A: On the CL350 you should have a "LT" mark on the rotor that lines up on a pointer that is on the top ... | |
| 1979 honda cm400t | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: I have low power at the start of the throttle it lags at first but when the rpms go up the engine ... A: This problem can be related to a few things. Often it is the slides that go into the top of the ... | |
| Exhaust Baffles 2004 vulcan classic 1500 | 8/26/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to figure a way out to make my bike sound a little louder with out spending a bunch a ... A: You may be able to do something with your baffles but it may be a permanent change. The later bikes ... | |
| piston rings | 8/25/2011 |
| Q: i tore my engine apart and i noticed the oil ring on all 4 pistons is flush with the piston and not ... A: The oil rings will not stick out very much from the piston. When new they may have a little tension ... | |
| 1995 Suzuki GS500E problem | 8/24/2011 |
| Q: I have been having some issues with my 1995 Suzuki GS500E recently. My engine loses and regains ... A: Due to the smoking issues I would have the engines compression checked. It should be over 150 psi ... | |
| intake boots 1975 Honda cb200t | 8/23/2011 |
| Q: I have some pretty large cracks in my connectors (from the air filter to the carbs) but I cannot ... A: The air filter tubes have been discontinued by Honda and they are one of a kind unfortunately. If ... | |
| motorcycles | 8/22/2011 |
| Q: im looking to buy a motorcycle but i dont know which one. i know youre not necessarily a motorcycle ... A: Most any radical looking chopper style bikes have been custom built. It is rare for any stock bike ... | |
| wiring diagram ? | 8/21/2011 |
| Q: hey there wayne.im in need of the wiring diagram for my 1969 250 yamaha enduro. thanks 4 ur time and ... A: Try these two links, one of them should work for your enduro wiring: (Copy and paste them into your ... | |
| countershaft seal 1979 750 CB K | 8/20/2011 |
| Q: I have a oil leak on my 1979 750 CB. I did some research and found that there was a recall on this ... A: That is an old recall but it involves the oil pressure variations causing the countershaft seal to ... | |
| yamaha 1982 xt 400 | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: I have 2 bikes, in both of them, engine casings have cracked. After one was welded, it cracked ... A: A new case is always the best but many people have had luck repairing engine cases with 24 hour cure ... | |
| Honda SL125 clutch actuator arm | 8/17/2011 |
| Q: I have attached a scan of the clutch parts diagram for my Honda SL125. Part 8 on the diagram has ... A: The clutch lever you referred to is only used on the Honda singles like the CB100, CL100, SL100 and ... | |
| suzuki gs 450 '87 hesitation | 8/16/2011 |
| Q: My Suzuki GS 450 sat for 2 winters un-used. I tried to start it up and couldn't get it to run. But ... A: Unfortunately the fuel these days tends to clog up carburetors within a month or two. The jets in ... | |
| Engine temp hot!! | 8/15/2011 |
| Q: I recently baught a 2007 yzf 600 from a buddy of mine and I noticed that the enging temperature ... A: It is not uncommon for these engines to reach 100 or even 105 degrees when idling in traffic etc. ... | |
| Honda PowerTrain Swap | 8/14/2011 |
| Q: I want to build a bobber. Will a custom shop be able to swap the power train from a 2000 VT1100 to a ... A: You would be better off building or buying a custom frame for that 1100 engine. The 600 frame is too ... | |
| kawasaki 400 kdx | 8/13/2011 |
| Q: what is the transmission oil capacity? what is the gas/oil ratio? please,asap!! thank you A: It is always better to check your oil level after letting it settle a bit. Add about half quart of ... | |
| Motorcycle problem | 8/12/2011 |
| Q: I have asked you about my bike before but you asked me to try to find out more info. So this is ... A: It sounds like the problem is isolated to cylinders 1 and 3 due to the tach bouncing and the oil ... | |
| 1983 yamaha 650 maxim | 8/11/2011 |
| Q: On the original ignition switch, when you turn the bike off, and continue turning the key ... A: The extra key position was indeed the "Park" light position even though no one uses it much. I ... | |
| choke cable | 8/10/2011 |
| Q: I asked the other day about step by step instructions on chaning the choke cable but forgot to tell ... A: The Honda uses an enrichment plunger rather than an actual choke plate as in some bikes or older ... | |
| choke cable | 8/8/2011 |
| Q: How do I step by step replace the choke cable on this particular bike A: I will be glad to answer your question but I do not see the year, make and model of your bike ... | |
| Carbuerators | 8/7/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1986 Yamaha virago 1100, I had to re-jet the carbs after I bought it and it has not run ... A: First make sure the rear cylinder compression is near equal to to front cylinder as the engine uses ... | |
| K reg. kawasaki zepher 1100 misfire | 8/6/2011 |
| Q: No. 1 cylinder spark plugs spark when held against head but when fitted No. 1 ex. pipe doesn't get ... A: You will have to check a few things carefully to determine the problem with the number one cylinder. ... | |
| Decompression Valve | 8/5/2011 |
| Q: Does My 1983 920 Midnight Virago have a decompression valve? A: No. the Virago does not have any factory installed decompressor like the Suzuki Intruder. Some ... | |
| 1984 vf700c magna clutch | 8/4/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1984 vf700c v45 magna, I have tried rebuilding the master clutch cylinder and the slave ... A: There should be lots of fluid coming out of the bleeder screw if you open it and pull the clutch ... | |
| 2006 yamaha pw80 | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: My girlfriends son has a 2006 yamaha pw80. Problem is, when you put it in gear & idle, bike surges ... A: What is happening is the bikes's clutch is engaging and disengaging slightly as the bike's engine ... | |
| 1995 yamaha virago 750 speedometer | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Yamaha Virago 750 and the connection hose from the speedometer to the front tire ... A: The first thing to do is remove the bottom end of the speedo cable or hose as you call it from the ... | |
| 84 honda v30 magna Vf500 | 8/1/2011 |
| Q: sir please help me. i am lost. i recently bought this motorcycle and have been trying to get it run ... A: Since you are having so much trouble with this bike I suggest you approach the problem as if you ... | |
| i got a 82 kawaski kz1100 | 7/31/2011 |
| Q: i had to hook a switch from the main fuse to the ignition fuse for this motorcycle to start i take ... A: Try these wiring diagrams: http://www.mediafire.com/?f848j995awj5dzh ... | |
| '99 honda shadow 750 | 7/30/2011 |
| Q: The present condition happened abruptly. Upon reaching home, the bike was turned off. After a short ... A: Here is a guide to checking the power: Check both your positive and negative battery cables on both ... | |
| 1972 Honda CB500 KO Clutch Issues. | 7/29/2011 |
| Q: Last year I purchased my first motorcycle, a 1972 Honda CB500, which had been sitting for the past ... A: There was some problems with some of the CB500 transmissions so Honda redesigned it and starting ... | |
| 1985 Suzuki SP 250F VALVE SPECS | 7/28/2011 |
| Q: Needing correct valve adjustment specs for a 1985 Suzuki SP 250F, Thanks. A: Your valves should be set when the engine is at top dead center "T" on it's compression stroke. Set ... | |
| 1980 KE 175 | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: I've had this bike for about 11 years now, it's been tuned up and carb work done to it about 3-4 ... A: Whenever a bike wants to rev high and the throttle is closed it indicates a lean fuel mixture for ... | |
| starting problems 2001 honda xr650l | 7/26/2011 |
| Q: rode moto about 30 miles at freeway speeds; got off freeway and less than a mile at 45mph speeds ... A: It is quite possible your battery is either shorted or dead. Also, check the battery cable ... | |
| i got a 82 kawaski kz1100 got problem with elctronic | 7/25/2011 |
| Q: i turn the key on everything lights up but i push the starter butten nouthing happens i hook a ... A: If your bike starts when you apply power to the starter solenoid then your ignitor is probably okay. ... | |
| gas lines | 7/24/2011 |
| Q: ANSWER: Hi Edwin, There is only one fuel line to the tank. That will be the one pointing upward ... A: The large hose is your fuel line and it should attach to the biggest pipe on the carb. The fuel pipe ... | |
| gas lines | 7/24/2011 |
| Q: A: There is only one fuel line to the tank. That will be the one pointing upward near the rear of the ... | |
| kawa kz 1000 weak spark | 7/23/2011 |
| Q: hey there i have a kawa kz 1000 started it once but now it does not wanna start up again i checked ... A: If your bike is starting but not able to speed up it sounds like it is not getting enough fuel. I ... | |
| kawa kz 1000 weak spark | 7/23/2011 |
| Q: hey there i have a kawa kz 1000 started it once but now it does not wanna start up again i checked ... A: If this is the older model pre 1979 KZ1000 it would have contact points which would have to be in ... | |
| Yamaha Virago 1100 1986 starter problem | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: The bike starts inconsistently...whether starting cold or re-starting hot....when it won't start it ... A: The renown Virago starter problems were mostly related to the earlier 750 models. The later model ... | |
| Thread wore off - spark plug | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: I have a daelim daystar 125 cc motorcycle (make in year 2004). The engine block cover's spark plug ... A: There are a number of spark plug thread repair kits available to fix the stripped threads. One is ... | |
| Yamaha Virago 1100 1986 starter problem | 7/21/2011 |
| Q: The bike starts inconsistently...whether starting cold or re-starting hot....when it won't start it ... A: The Virago starter was a problem for different reasons on different models. The early 750 had ... | |
| Scooter Gator 250cc stoped and started moving an hour later. | 7/20/2011 |
| Q: I was driving my scooter Gator 250cc to work one morning. While on the road I heard a sharp noise ... A: There are a number of things that can cause a scooter to stop running. One is if the fuel supply is ... | |
| 1970 cl 100 petcock removal | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: i have a 1970 cl 100, the fueltank has been sitting empty for a number of years and is very rusted ... A: If I remember correctly you should be able to pull the o-ring and screen out of the inside of the ... | |
| clutch diode | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: my 84 750 nighthawk S wont start. tried replacing solenoid, no change. clutch diode reads no ... A: Try these guys for parts etc: http://www.psep.biz/store/mitsuba_starter_motors.htm The starter is ... | |
| 2002 Honda XR80R | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: I have a very Hard to Start 2002 Honda XR80R & at times I can't start. It used to start like a ... A: When an engine backfires it usually means it is either running lean on fuel or has an excessive ... | |
| clutch diode | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: my 84 750 nighthawk S wont start. tried replacing solenoid, no change. clutch diode reads no ... A: Yes if you put the battery power directly to the starter and it didn't run then the starter needs ... | |
| clutch diode | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: my 84 750 nighthawk S wont start. tried replacing solenoid, no change. clutch diode reads no ... A: Frank, you can just connect a good battery directly to the starter terminal to test it. If the ... | |
| clutch diode | 7/16/2011 |
| Q: my 84 750 nighthawk S wont start. tried replacing solenoid, no change. clutch diode reads no ... A: If you are talking about the clutch diode under the fuel tank then it should have an ohms reading in ... | |
| honda 125xls model 1993 | 7/15/2011 |
| Q: can i change the 125cc cylinder block into 200cc cylinder block. theirs any problem with that? What ... A: There are a few problems with changing cylinder blocks. The 200 block will not usually fit into the ... | |
| stuck | 7/13/2011 |
| Q: 1 have a 1991 harly xl 1200 changed bars didnt touch wires now the thing will run for a lil and suht ... A: It might be a wire got scraped or whatever but if you can find no shorts or bad connections then it ... | |
| 05 Suzuki Hayabusa | 7/12/2011 |
| Q: I have an 05 Hayabusa 1300R and was wondering where the spark plug is located and how hard is it to ... A: The spark plugs (CR9EIA-9) are located under the fuel tank and air box. The fuel tank can be lifted ... | |
| 1982 v45 nagna fuel cut off relay | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1982 honda magna v45 which is blown "fuel cut off relay" and melted the connector. ... A: This is a basic relay layout I believe but Honda does not provide exact plug pin outs. Here is the ... | |
| oil leak | 7/10/2011 |
| Q: 1984 honda v65 magna leaking oil down #1 exhaust pipe at header A: If your bike is running okay it might just be the exhaust header gaskets are leaking. They are about ... | |
| honda ct-90 1969 runs to rich | 7/9/2011 |
| Q: I have a honda 90 1969 the shop has cleaned the carb. and now it is running to rich and they cant ... A: There are many reasons for a rich mixture including symptoms that just resemble a rich fuel mixture. ... | |
| Clutch replacement issue | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: Replaced clutch on 2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200. Got the basket back in, and before I got the circlip ... A: -- Good job Erik, these things happen sometime. It should be okay if you can patch things up. You ... | |
| 04 gsxr 600 trbl code c42 | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: I bought an 04 gsxr 600 engine from a guy who wrecked and parted it out. I have all parts to start ... A: it may help me to help somebody in the future. There are very little specs available from the ... | |
| 04 gsxr 600 trbl code c42 | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: I bought an 04 gsxr 600 engine from a guy who wrecked and parted it out. I have all parts to start ... A: Perhaps it was a zener diode that they used originally to run the excess voltage over 7 volts to ... | |
| Clutch replacement issue | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: Replaced clutch on 2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200. Got the basket back in, and before I got the circlip ... A: Tapping the clutch rod may not work as the slave cylinder may be stuck on either the gasket or ... | |
| Clutch replacement issue | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: Replaced clutch on 2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200. Got the basket back in, and before I got the circlip ... A: I did almost the same thing with front brakes one time. I pulled the lever when the wheel was off ... | |
| Problems | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: So I have a couple questions. I have 97 gsxr 750 with roughly 26000 miles on it at the end of last ... A: I will address your questions in order: 1. No headlight low beams: The power for the low beams ... | |
| checking timing | 7/6/2011 |
| Q: Id like to check the timing on my 1984 nighthawk 750 s, this was not included in the on line manual ... A: The ignition timing is not adjustable if I remember correctly. There is a small cover on the left ... | |
| 04 gsxr 600 trbl code c42 | 7/5/2011 |
| Q: I bought an 04 gsxr 600 engine from a guy who wrecked and parted it out. I have all parts to start ... A: The best I can come up with is putting a resistor on the ECU wire O/Y (Orange with Yellow Tracer) ... | |
| motor issues? | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1984 honda magna v45 vf750c canadian model. I just switched motors out to the proper magna ... A: That is an odd problem but I wonder if you have a stuck valve or something. Can you check the ... | |
| 6 volt turn indicators | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: ! I have a 6 volt Yamaha Trailmaster cr. 1968. I need to make it street legal by adding turn ... A: Lene, Yes, that would be a 6 volt model unlike the later electric start L5T or YL2C models. Don't ... | |
| 6 volt turn indicators | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: ! I have a 6 volt Yamaha Trailmaster cr. 1968. I need to make it street legal by adding turn ... A: Are you sure your bike is 6 volt because most of these trailmasters had a 12 volt 7AH battery in ... | |
| 6 volt turn indicators | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: ! I have a 6 volt Yamaha Trailmaster cr. 1968. I need to make it street legal by adding turn ... A: Yes, you can install 6 volt bulbs but do you have a signal switch and 6 volt flasher installed or ... | |
| 96 ninja Kawasaki | 7/2/2011 |
| Q: Turned engine off upon return and noticed oil dripping down. Breather box apparently seems to be ... A: It is somewhat normal for a bit of oil to make it's way into the breather box from the engine ... | |
| yamaha?// | 7/1/2011 |
| Q: I have 99 yamaha yzf 6r.I was about to leave the when all of a sudden everything goes off. I had a ... A: First make sure the battery is fully charged as these ignitions like lots of battery power to ... | |
| speedo and tacho | 6/30/2011 |
| Q: 1972 Honda CB350 K4 Speedometer – this works quite happily up to about 65mph albeit a bit bouncy, ... A: The cables can be a problem especially when the needles bounce. You would have to replace the cables ... | |
| 78 cb550k stalls when the gas is turned on | 6/29/2011 |
| Q: the engine runs great with the bowls filled and no continuous fuel being fed. As soon as the carbs ... A: Only a few things can cause the carbs to overfill or flood the engine with fuel. 1. Faulty floats, ... | |
| clutch | 6/28/2011 |
| Q: i have a 85 Honda magna and i am having clutch issues. the clutch has no resistance and i am not ... A: It could also be a problem with the lower slave cylinder on the engine. It has a push rod behnd it ... | |
| DT175 follow up | 6/27/2011 |
| Q: Wayne, Thanks for the reply. So as a follow up. Clarification on the needle. I meant that I moved ... A: Good job on the bike! Many people try to tune the carb when the pipe is the problem. I know what you ... | |
| 1978 honda twinstar 185T | 6/26/2011 |
| Q: what is the proper polarity for this bike ? Is it negative ground ? A: The correct battery polarity is indeed negative ground. However these bikes did use a 6 volt ... | |
| 1986 vt700c Honda Shadow | 6/25/2011 |
| Q: I bought a honda shadow 3 months ago. Bought a brand new battery for it and charged it all night ... A: Remove your left side cover by the regulator and disconnect the coupler with the three yellow wires ... | |
| DT175 follow up | 6/24/2011 |
| Q: Wayne, Thanks for the reply. So as a follow up. Clarification on the needle. I meant that I moved ... A: Try to either clean out the pipe well or get another pipe that is cleaner. Once you have that ... | |
| yamaha 175 runs rich on top end | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: This question has been asked multiple times on this site and it seems nobody has clearly answered ... A: The three-quarter to full throttle fuel mixture is handled by the main jet and partially by the carb ... | |
| overcharging honda shadow 1983 vt 750c | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1983 vt 750c honda shadow that is overcharging the system. I've had the bike for years and ... A: The overcharging is usually related to a few different things. One is that the regulator on the ... | |
| 2004 kawi 636 | 6/19/2011 |
| Q: i rode my bike home the other day from work parked it but didn't turn the key off. i went to crank ... A: If your battery is good and the cables are tightly connected the power then goes to the starter ... | |
| 1989 Yamaha Virago 1100, poor accleration | 6/18/2011 |
| Q: The bike starts, idles and runs fine, as long as it is not in gear. The problem starts at about ... A: There are a number of things that could cause problems so start with the basics first. If you had ... | |
| bike wont run in gear | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. My bike idles fine, even in gear with the clutch pulled, but as ... A: For the most part there are a couple of things that make a bike die in gear when the clutch is ... | |
| 2001 Valkyrie 1500 | 6/15/2011 |
| Q: My cycle ran find when stored for the winter. It was started several times all Winter. It has ... A: It becomes more difficult to find a miss when you have many cylinders. I would say since you find ... | |
| 1981 750 Yamaha Virago | 6/14/2011 |
| Q: took off fly wheel,to put in mew oil pump chain,put it back together, now trying to turn engine over ... A: I do not know what parts you had off but the gears inside that case under the flywheel use timing ... | |
| 1978 GS400X Starting | 6/13/2011 |
| Q: I purchased a 1978 GS400X. The bike has no electric start. When I first purchased it fuel would ... A: Always check the compression before tuning any bike. It could need valve clearance checked or need ... | |
| 1986 yamaha FZ750 | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: I am having a problem with getting the left ignition coil 1&4 to get a spark. I am getting power to ... A: Have you tried switching the wires to see if the 1/4 coil works when attached to the 2/3 wires? If ... | |
| 1985 yamaha xj700 carb hoses | 6/11/2011 |
| Q: I have acquired a 85 xj700 with the carbs off the bike. I rebuilt each carb and noticed the hoses ... A: You will only need the fuel hose connected, the ports on the carb boots are for connecting a vacuum ... | |
| charging/discharging | 6/10/2011 |
| Q: i have a 06 cbr1000rr last summer i put in a brand new batt and alternator and stator, and ran ... A: Your bike has a fairly simple charging system so it sounds like your new regulator may be the wrong ... | |
| Thermostat | 6/9/2011 |
| Q: .. Thanks A: The thermostat is located almost directly below the coolant filler cap. Another way to find the ... | |
| 1982 Yamaha Virago 750 | 6/8/2011 |
| Q: I have a hard time getting my bike to start. The starter does not always engage or will not stay ... A: The starter drives are known to be a weak point in these bikes. The only cure is replacing the worn ... | |
| low gas milage | 6/7/2011 |
| Q: I purchased a 1998 suzuki intruder VL LC 1500 a couple months ago. My problem is I only get 23 MPG. ... A: It sounds like you have some wear in the carburetor emulsion tubes. As the carb slides go up and ... | |
| 78 Yamaha Triple750 | 6/6/2011 |
| Q: I have had this bike in a heated garage since the mid 1980s. It has been stored for the last 25 ... A: In my opinion do not let anyone take the bike apart at this point. It was probably some minor rust ... | |
| 1985 v65 sabre | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: It also seems to have lost power unless you get the rpms up above 3000 rpm it I pulled the plugs ... A: There is only the starter drive unit and clutch on the right side for the most part. Any other ... | |
| 1984 honda magna v45 vf750c | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: But i think i got that figured out. I think i might have an electrical problem too and i dont know ... A: A misfiring engine can use more fuel but your spark plug colors will tell you what is happening ... | |
| compression psi | 6/3/2011 |
| Q: but i would like to know why it is diferent my other problem is the rpm gos up and down. 1000 to ... A: There are many reasons for compression to vary hot and cold. One is that some engines have a ... | |
| kickstarter is dangling | 6/2/2011 |
| Q: How do i repair the kickstarter on a 1971 triumph 650 T120R when it is just dangling loose and will ... A: I think you can do most of the repairs with common tools. Here is a picture pdf of the outer ... | |
| kickstarter is dangling | 6/2/2011 |
| Q: How do i repair the kickstarter on a 1971 triumph 650 T120R when it is just dangling loose and will ... A: You will have to remove the footrest, pipe or anything in the way of the gearbox cover to inspect ... | |
| 1978 Suzuki GS550 main fuse | 6/1/2011 |
| Q: I have an 1978 Suzuki GS550 E. The bike runs great and I use it all summer to get me to and from ... A: The GS550 has only the fuses you mentioned. Check for power on both sides of the 15 amp fuse. If ... | |
| 65' honda 305 dream | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: How do i realign kick starter after i've replaced clutch cable?, can't seem to get kick to spring ... A: Remove the cable cover again and turn the kickstart shaft clockwise until it stops. Move the ... | |
| tikken bij koude motor | 5/30/2011 |
| Q: ik heb een suzuki bandit 1200s bj 1999 en sinds 2 weken begint hij een tikkend geluid te maken bij ... A: Hallo Dirk, tikkende geluiden meestal gerelateerd aan de bovenkant van de motor. U moet controleren ... | |
| Sealant | 5/29/2011 |
| Q: What sealant do I use to reseal the ungasketed mating surface of my Honda CB360T split crankcase? ... A: The best sealant for the crankcases are the "Bond" types. There is Hondabond 4, Yamabond and I ... | |
| 1981 750 Yamaha Virago | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: Bike Is Flooding, and has blue smoke, also starter kicks out while trying to start. ANSWER: Hi ... A: The only cure for the noisy starter on the Virago is replacing the worn starter drive gears inside ... | |
| Brake light 2002 Yamaha vstar 650 | 5/27/2011 |
| Q: The brake light on my 2002 Yamaha V-Star Custom 650 is not working, and I have changed the bulb, I ... A: The power comes from the fuse to a brown wire that will go to your brake light switches. From the ... | |
| trys to run on one cylinder after a few miles | 5/26/2011 |
| Q: My 1995 VT1100c will die after a few miles but will start back fairly soon. When it starts back ... A: I am not sure if you need pulse coils or not. Have you checked when it stops if it still has spark ... | |
| 1984 honda magna v45 vf750c | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: this bike has been aggrevating me lol. I bought remanufactured carbs for it that were suppose to be ... A: The floats will definitely have a big effect if not leak proof and adjusted correctly. Tip the ... | |
| 1986 honda shadow 750c | 5/24/2011 |
| Q: ... i was looking to find a number for the oil filter, i received one from my honda dealer but it ... A: I believe your bike uses this filter originally: Honda Oil Filter VT750C 15400-PFB-004 Try your ... | |
| 99 Honda Shadow 1100 Clutch | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: Clutch will not engage to put it into gear.How do I fix this? A: The repair depends exactly on what is happening with the clutch. If the gears are grinding and will ... | |
| 1981 750 Yamaha Virago | 5/22/2011 |
| Q: Bike Is Flooding, and has blue smoke, also starter kicks out while trying to start. A: Flooding is usually caused by the float needle and it's valve seat leaking. It is designed to shut ... | |
| honda elite 1985 80cc | 5/21/2011 |
| Q: Last night my oil light came on and I can't figure out where the oil goes. A: If your bike has a four stroke model elite engine then the oil is checked way down on the right side ... | |
| Final drive fill plug and oil drain plug | 5/20/2011 |
| Q: I have found it impossible to torque the oil drain plug on my new 2009 Shadow Aero 750 due to it's ... A: it sounds like you did well on your VT500 adjustments. The torque specs can sometimes be a little ... | |
| bike hesitates,bucks,holds back power when driving | 5/19/2011 |
| Q: 2006 hellbound steel hellion model,,,s&s g carb,, trying to get the adjustment just right,,but its ... A: Okay, sooty black means you are either getting too much fuel from somewhere or not enough air flow. ... | |
| bike hesitates,bucks,holds back power when driving | 5/19/2011 |
| Q: 2006 hellbound steel hellion model,,,s&s g carb,, trying to get the adjustment just right,,but its ... A: Throttle transition problems are common on the S&S G carb. You can sometimes move the problem so ... | |
| Honda SL125 clutch | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: my clutch on my 72 SL125 does this thing where when its cold it works fine but when the engine has ... A: One of my first bikes was an SL100, tons of fun! There are a couple of possible problems you may be ... | |
| 1984 Honda Magna V45 vf750c | 5/16/2011 |
| Q: I recently bought this bike and put carbs on. could you tell me how to adjust the idle speed i cant ... A: The black plastic knob is used to adjust the idle speed to about 1100 RPM. The idle pilot screws ... | |
| 1982 honda silverwing gl500 | 5/15/2011 |
| Q: I disconnected allthe wiring on my 82 honda so i could start clean on putting tail ... A: the only way you can save some time would be find a whole wiring harness for your exact bike. You ... | |
| 79' kawasaki kz400 need help | 5/14/2011 |
| Q: i have a 79' kawasaki kz400, the ignition coil crapped out on me and i was wondering if a ignition ... A: I believe the coil might work but if you have contact points keep an eye on them for burning. If ... | |
| 1986 Yamaha YX600 Radian | 5/13/2011 |
| Q: I have oil pumping out of the breather vent when the bike is warmed up somebody told me its a ... A: The first thing to check is if your oil level is correct. If it is overfilled with engine oil then ... | |
| 1986 honda shadow | 5/12/2011 |
| Q: Can you tell me the tork specifations are for the front wheel axil nuts on a 1986 Honda shadow 750 A: The front axle will have 40-47 ft/lbs torque on the large axle nut and 15 ft/lbs on the smaller axle ... | |
| repair | 5/11/2011 |
| Q: hey its not really a motorcycle but i thought you could still help me i have a 2005 yard machine ... A: I am not sure which engine you have but probably a Tecumseh or Briggs. You will have to check the ... | |
| 2006 honda vtx | 5/10/2011 |
| Q: I just purchased a 2006 vtx 1300r with 10,000 miles on her. while im riding the bike and I am giving ... A: These big v-twins are noisy and partly the v-twin firing pattern is responsible. It is an uneven ... | |
| 92 yamaha virago shuts down | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: I have a 92 yamaha virago 750 motorcycle. I put the bike up on its stand and run the bike and shift ... A: Your best bet is to try to isolate if you are having a fuel or spark problem. When it stops running ... | |
| valve adjustment | 5/8/2011 |
| Q: could you please tell me what the valve setting is on a 1965 honda 90 ct200? thank you A: The small honda's of that generation all used valve settings of .002" inch and up to .004" inch on ... | |
| Clarion II CB Radio | 5/7/2011 |
| Q: I recently replaced my type II AM/FM CB radio. New one works fine but the fuse for the CB keeps ... A: All I can think of is eBay and motorcycle wreckers as these Clarion parts were hard to get even when ... | |
| Honda Trail | 5/6/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1971 Honda Trail 90, just bought it restored this past weekend. Unfortunately the ... A: There could be a few issues that you may have to sort out. The shifters on these older bikes ... | |
| cold start | 5/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a Yamaha 750 three cly special l only have a problem on cold starts like at 50 f or so is ... A: These bikes were a bit cranky even when new but it may be because of the lean fuel mixtures they ... | |
| Honda cx 500 | 5/4/2011 |
| Q: My 1981 Honda CX500 seems to be running out of fuel. carbs are dry but the tank is full. This bike ... A: If you can bypass it that's okay but I think the diaphragm is what shuts the fuel off so if you ... | |
| 1975 Honda cb750 four supersport | 5/4/2011 |
| Q: When I bought my CB 750 four the headlight was working fine. I tried to charge the battery and ... A: the fuse box will be in one of three places: -Near the battery, under the side cover. -Under the ... | |
| Honda cx 500 | 5/4/2011 |
| Q: My 1981 Honda CX500 seems to be running out of fuel. carbs are dry but the tank is full. This bike ... A: The fuel valve on your gas tank is operated by engine vacuum. There is a small rubber diaphragm on ... | |
| 1975 Honda cb750 four supersport | 5/3/2011 |
| Q: When I bought my CB 750 four the headlight was working fine. I tried to charge the battery and ... A: You should have one fuse for the headlight in the fusebox. If you check the fuses and they are all ... | |
| backfireing 85 honda nighthawk 700 | 5/2/2011 |
| Q: this is my first ever motorcycle and after I changed the oil (I put in 10-40 motorcycle oil) and put ... A: Always check compression before tuning an engine or have a cylinder leak down test done to ensure ... | |
| cm185 | 5/1/2011 |
| Q: two questions...I have a 1978 Honda Twinstar cm185, I know it is a 6volt system....what would be ... A: The conversion to 12 volt can be done in various ways. Of course you will need a 12 volt battery ... | |
| yamaha rt 100 | 4/30/2011 |
| Q: My son recently bought a 1997 yamaha rt 100. We know nothing about motor bikes. I think it uses ... A: The seat has a small lever on the left side I believe. Just push it forward and the seat should ... | |
| rm 125 | 4/29/2011 |
| Q: i have an 2001 rm 125 and i was riding and then suddenly it started to bog down and it will start ... A: It sounds like top end engine trouble. It may have had a partial piston seizure. Hopefully the ... | |
| burning oil | 4/28/2011 |
| Q: l982 yamaha seca 650 turbo burns oil and leaks oil out of the baffles when not running (not lots, ... A: Most often the gravity slowly pulls oil down into the exhaust through the turbo seals. This is what ... | |
| CB 450 electrical issue | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: Over the past winter I have been rebuilding and turning a 1970 cb450 into a cafe racer. I would say ... A: The first thing to check out is your battery condition, a battery load test can do that. Next is ... | |
| Hard to Start | 4/26/2011 |
| Q: I own a 1983 Honda VT 750. The bike has approx. 33,000 km. on it and is in fairly decent shape. I ... A: There are many things that can combine to cause starting problems. The VT750 has a minimal charging ... | |
| 1998 1500 suzuki intruder LC | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1998 1500 suzuki intruder LC,the back cylinder is running real rich,enough to foul out the ... A: There is an easy rule of thumb to follow here on any bike you own. If the mixture screw is at the ... | |
| smokin engine | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: i've been takin apart an rebuilding wore old harleys since the 60's, but i've had a couple of ... A: On the liquid cooled bikes the smoke would likely be coolant burning but on air cooled bikes it is ... | |
| KLR 250 | 4/24/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1999 Kawasaki KLR 250 dual sport. The bike starts on 1st or second kick, idles great and ... A: Engine power is mostly related to size and the inflow and outflow of air. Your bike has a ... | |
| kawasaki kz440 backfires | 4/23/2011 |
| Q: i just bought a 1980 kawasaki KZ440 LTD. its not ran for a year, i cleaned, out the carbs and, and ... A: Backfires can be caused by a few things. Always check compression before tuning an engine. Main ... | |
| carburetor adjustment 1978 Suzuki RM80 | 4/22/2011 |
| Q: I can't find information about adjusting the air screw and idle screw for my 1978 Suzuki RM80, and ... A: The air screw has minimal effects on most bikes. The real way to adjust it is to run your bike at a ... | |
| 2008 Honda shadow 750 starting issue | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: Took a 5 mile ride to the mall. Went in to eat and when i go to crank motorcycle it wont turn over. ... A: I would probably start by having the battery load tested to see if it has lost it's stamina. Most ... | |
| 1982 KZ1100 Spectre | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: My engine has just started running off of two cylinders, cylinder 1 & 4 are fine but 2 & 3 are not ... A: The power to the coils is usually a red wire. If your left coil has power then the right probably ... | |
| 1998 1500 suzuki intruder LC | 4/19/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1998 1500 suzuki intruder LC,the back cylinder is running real rich,enough to foul out the ... A: There are various things to look for when one cylinder is running rich. One is cylinder compression ... | |
| 2007 Crf 250 F | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: Hard to kick start. Easier to kick when warmed up. Just rebuilt motor. Did a leak down test and ... A: Conrad, Hard starting is usually valve clearance too tight or a plugged passageway or jet in the ... | |
| 2007 Crf 250 F | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: Hard to kick start. Easier to kick when warmed up. Just rebuilt motor. Did a leak down test and ... A: I believe these engine have an auto-decompression unit on the exhaust valve. ... | |
| Setting points gap | 4/17/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1980 Kawasaki KD80 and would like to know the amount of gap necessary to obtain points that ... A: The points gap is usually best set around .014" inch. It is more important that the points just ... | |
| suzuki gs400 contact breaker points | 4/16/2011 |
| Q: i have actually a suzuki gs 400 1976 and i have some difficulity with the contact breaker points. ... A: Denis, I am not sure exactly what information you require. The contact points should be gapped at ... | |
| 1985 virgo 550cc | 4/16/2011 |
| Q: how to check oil level A: The oil level is checked in the sight glass on the bottom side of the engine. Here is a link that ... | |
| 1984 vt750 honda shadow | 4/15/2011 |
| Q: my 84 honda shadow is acting up the lights pulsate at idle and when I rev it up they dim out a ... A: The yellow stator wires should have connection between all the wires but should not connect to ... | |
| 73 Honda 350 / clutch | 4/14/2011 |
| Q: How can I tighten the gearshift so that it won't loosen? I just bought this bike and trying to ride! ... A: you may have to hacksaw a tiny bit of the metal out of the center of the shift lever slot so it will ... | |
| 1984 VF700C | 4/13/2011 |
| Q: I have a V45 magna that I have been redoing the last two years. Its complete and put back together. ... A: Good job! I suspected something was making it fire at the wrong time. You never know what previous ... | |
| carb overflow tubes | 4/13/2011 |
| Q: where do the overflow tubes connect from the carbs on a 1978 kz1000 A: IF the vents you refer to are just air vents they can either hang down through the frame toward the ... | |
| 1992 Gsxr750 | 4/12/2011 |
| Q: The shop wants $500 to clean the carbs out, Can I just use some seafoam in the tank and spray the ... A: Carb cleaning can be done lightly or thoroughly but the results may vary. Here is a carb cleaning ... | |
| 1987 Yamaha Virago/ Starter Problem | 4/10/2011 |
| Q: I put a new starter on my bike and when i push the start button the starter just spins. I was ... A: Nick, the later Virago like your's uses a small gear that is built into a one-way clutch. If you ... | |
| 1987 Yamaha Virago/ Starter Problem | 4/10/2011 |
| Q: I put a new starter on my bike and when i push the start button the starter just spins. I was ... A: Starter problems are fairly common on the Viragos but Yamaha used two different kinds of starting ... | |
| !988 Harley Sportster | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: I have the Dayna S electric ignition and I had no spark in the front cylinder, So I changed the ... A: There are two kinds of Dyna S ignitions, the single fire and the dual fire. If you have two separate ... | |
| weak battery | 4/8/2011 |
| Q: i have a 1982 honda nighthawk 750,if i start it up 4 to 5 times within an hour the battery goes ... A: The problem might be a couple of things. One is a weak or faulty battery cell. The battery can be ... | |
| 1984 VF700C | 4/7/2011 |
| Q: I have a V45 magna that I have been redoing the last two years. Its complete and put back together. ... A: I am not sure exactly what you have done on the bike so far such as was the engine rebuild or not. ... | |
| 82 nighthawk | 4/5/2011 |
| Q: i have an 82 nighthawk im working on for a friend im cleaning the carbs and such due to it having ... A: these auto valves are getting very hard to find or fix. I would suggest removing it and using the ... | |
| 1982 yamaha xj550j | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: I went to fire this up for the fist time this season. I noticed some flooding and gas running out ... A: One of the safest and best carb cleaners out there is made by Yamaha. You can add this to the carb ... | |
| Exhaust back fire | 4/3/2011 |
| Q: I have an '05 Kawasaki 1600 Meanstreak. Bought it new. Put on V&H Big Shot pipes about 3 years ... A: There are a few reasons for backfiring. Some decel exhaust popping is normal in these engines but is ... | |
| 1965 150cc MZ motorcycle | 4/2/2011 |
| Q: Need to find spark plug for 1965 150cc 2 cycle MZ motorcycle. If anyone knows what size and where ... A: That's a rare one to find parts for. Original parts are of German origin so the plug it used would ... | |
| reinstall starter on honda motorcycle | 4/1/2011 |
| Q: My dad needs to know how to reinstall a starter for a 1983 Honda Goldwing 1100 Interstate. He took ... A: The GL1100 starter uses two bolts to hold it on but if there is not enough room you may have to drop ... | |
| kawasaki kx 80 | 3/31/2011 |
| Q: i have a very hard time starting my bike i cleaned my carb made sure there was a fresh mixture of ... A: It sounds like your bike is having a fuel problem but this can result from various things. If your ... | |
| Honda CMX250 Rebel | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: when I turn the key I hear a metal on metal clanking sound and then my bike starts okay. It does it ... A: Maurice, you can upload a sound file to a site like this: http://hotfile.com/ OR ... | |
| Honda CMX250 Rebel | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: when I turn the key I hear a metal on metal clanking sound and then my bike starts okay. It does it ... A: It sounds like it might be your starter drive making noise. It is under the flywheel or rotor in the ... | |
| 82 cb450sc | 3/29/2011 |
| Q: i have wired in a starter relay and i have the clutch out. i am working on a rebuild project i cant ... A: The clutch switch can be checked with a multimeter. The way the system works is this: There is a 7 ... | |
| no lights on cb900f | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: I was hooking up my signal lights on my bike and I guess I touched or hooked up a wire wrong and it ... A: These usually have about four-15 amp cylinder type fuses and the main 30 amp fuse. There is a fuse ... | |
| 1985 Honda Shadow VT700c | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: Three wires from Stator into plug to rectifier/regulator, plug melted. The three(3) yellow wires ... A: No problem on your stator and charging voltages, they sound fine. You can find the thermostatic fan ... | |
| sychronize carbs.1996vulcan88 1500 | 3/27/2011 |
| Q: how to do A: Sync Vulcan carbs: Warm up the engine. Attach vacuum sticks or gauges to the vacuum fittings on ... | |
| 1985 honda atc 250sx | 3/26/2011 |
| Q: I just bought this 3 wheeler and the kick start will spin, but it won't crank over kinda like the ... A: There are a couple of possibilities for this problem. If you have an automatic or centrifugal ... | |
| 1996 virago xv1100 won't idle | 3/25/2011 |
| Q: I just got a 1996 yamaha virago 1100 from a freind who owns a pawn shop he had it in pawn for over a ... A: Unfortunately it is very hard to get these carbs clean without soaking them in Yamaha carb cleaner. ... | |
| Fuel issues: 1978 Suzuki GS750E | 3/24/2011 |
| Q: I bought this bike years ago and this has been a persistent problem which has gotten worse, and now ... A: It sounds like you have tried a few things to solve this carb problem so I will not go into those ... | |
| Charging system | 3/23/2011 |
| Q: My 1980 Goldwing puts out 13 to 14 volts at 3,000 rpm however at idle it only puts out 10 to 12 ... A: The 1980 Goldwing does not charge the battery at idle. It is designed to start charging at 1800 RPM. ... | |
| 1984 CB650SC | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: Hey I recently put a set of MotoGP exhaust pipes on my bike and of course it cuts out and backfires ... A: The main jets affect mostly the 3/4 to full throttle range. The stock jets for 84 are likely #115 ... | |
| honda fourtrax gas leaking | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: i left for the night and it emptied the entire gas tank on my shop floor i looked the next day and ... A: It sounds like your carb float needle and valve are leaking. It could just be some dirt under the ... | |
| 1985 Honda Shadow VT700c | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: Three wires from Stator into plug to rectifier/regulator, plug melted. The three(3) yellow wires ... A: Dan, You can check the stator output by unplugging it from the regulator and checking the AC ... | |
| yamaha | 3/20/2011 |
| Q: I have a 85 Yamaha virago 1000,back cylinder does not fire.Plug will fire outside of cylinder.If it ... A: The fuel these days is bad for plugging up carb jets so fuel additives can help. Checking the spark ... | |
| Bike repair | 3/20/2011 |
| Q: I have a 07 yamaha virago. I used a fuel stabilizer but it still gummed up over the winter. I live ... A: You didn't mention if you had soaked the carb in Yamaha carb cleaner. If you didn't then the inner ... | |
| Rough at low revs | 3/19/2011 |
| Q: I have an 83 GSX550e which struggles to idle and is very flat at low revs. I always need to use ... A: The idle fuel mixture is handled mostly by the idle jet in the carbs. If the fuel has evaporated and ... | |
| parts matching | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: is there a resource to check to see if other years parts will work on my 72 cb450 k5 honda. A: This is the only thing I know of that is available to purchase for Honda cross-reference. Copy/paste ... | |
| 1980 honda cb900 continuously sparks | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: My 1980 honda cb900 custom fires continuously as soon as the key and kill switch is turned on ... A: the pulse coils sound pretty close to specs but there is still a possibility one is faulty. What I ... | |
| 1980 honda cb900 continuously sparks | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: My 1980 honda cb900 custom fires continuously as soon as the key and kill switch is turned on ... A: The older CB900 has two pulser coils which would likely only cause it to fire on two cylinders if ... | |
| yamaha | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: I have a 85 Yamaha virago 1000,back cylinder does not fire.Plug will fire outside of cylinder.If it ... A: The Virago often suffers from excessive resistance in the electrical circuits. The connectors that ... | |
| Need replacement air filter | 3/15/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Honda Nighthawk, CB450SC. I'm planning on doing the spring tuneup myself this year, ... A: Everybody that supplies replacement filters has their own part number for that filter. Best thing ... | |
| oil leak 1982 650 xj maxim | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: I have a1982 Yamaha 650 xj maxim, I noticed my bike once it starts it sprays and drips oil from the ... A: It sounds like it shouldn't be anything too serious but if it is spraying out with some pressure it ... | |
| exhaust compatability | 3/13/2011 |
| Q: I just purchase 1984 Kawasaki kz700, bike is 100% original condition. I am looking to upgrade the ... A: It is kind of trial and error fitting another exhaust system but you can probably work with the ... | |
| 84 suzuki gs250fw ignition | 3/12/2011 |
| Q: g'day, I have a gs250fw which has been sitting for about 5yrs, no history given with bike ... A: It is hard to find parts for these older bikes but sometimes you can try to use what is out there. ... | |
| pilot jet does not have screwdriver slot | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1980 Honda CB900 Custom. I am rebuilding the carbs and purchased a kit (because 2 of the ... A: Many of these carbs look similar but there are small changes through the years. It sounds like you ... | |
| 1985 Honda Shadow VT700c | 3/10/2011 |
| Q: Three wires from Stator into plug to rectifier/regulator, plug melted. The three(3) yellow wires ... A: This is a common problem because of the light gauge wiring Honda used on the stator and regulator ... | |
| pipe rear smokin | 3/9/2011 |
| Q: ANSWER: Hi Gamalier, There are a few things that cause smoke. 1. White smoke = steam or water ... A: If you apply pressure in the spark plug hole it should be done with that cylinder on the compression ... | |
| pipe rear smokin | 3/9/2011 |
| Q: hello-Ihope you can hel me is a honda shadow vt750c -#2 carburetor-compression test 175psi rear ... A: There are a few things that cause smoke. 1. White smoke = steam or water vapor -Head gasket ... | |
| triumph 1973 , 750 tiger | 3/8/2011 |
| Q: I am about to purchase a 1973, 750 tiger it ran very well when it was stored, furthermore it has ... A: The bike will need a few things checked out for running and just for safety reasons. I suggest ... | |
| honda shadow 750 | 3/7/2011 |
| Q: i have a 2000 Honda shadow 750. i just purchased a battery less than 6 months ago. I just removed ... A: The most likely problem is that your charging system is not working or your battery has a faulty or ... | |
| transmission removal on '83 Honda CX650 | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to replace the crankshaft bearings on my '83 Honda CX650. I'm using the Clymer manual ... A: If the starter is off and the rear cover is coming part way off it might be the alternator magnets ... | |
| Carb issues | 3/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a 98 vs800 i am having a few issues but i think all related.I have fule comming out of main ... A: If the problem is the carb then you can only double check all the passageways, jets and float ... | |
| f4i clutch | 3/4/2011 |
| Q: .. I replaced the clutch plates and springs on my 01 f4i. i got it all back together and it wont ... A: Sounds like the clutch pack is not in place or maybe the plates are mixed up. I am going to list two ... | |
| no power to the bike from battery | 3/3/2011 |
| Q: will the lights still work if your coil's bad? I've got an 1100 honda shadow A: For the most part your lights will work off the battery but if you are talking about the alternator ... | |
| 1982 cb900 | 3/2/2011 |
| Q: i have a 1982 honda cb900 the two center cyl(2&3) arent firing.carbs are fresh coils check ... A: The CB900 has two ignition or spark subsystems. This means that cylinders 1/4 and cylinders 2/3 have ... | |
| 1976 Honda 360T | 3/1/2011 |
| Q: Wayne – My 360 continuously stops firing on the left cylinder. We have replaced the points several ... A: This can be many things so it helps if you can isolate the problem by checking the spark with a ... | |
| clutch cable | 2/28/2011 |
| Q: I just changed out my clutch plates put it all back together and now i have 1cm of slack in my ... A: I wish I had the make, model and year of your bike as there are so many types of clutch mechanisms ... | |
| brakes | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: will brake calipers off a 1990 kawaski bayou fit on a 1997 kawaski bayou A: Switching parts is not an exact science but usually trial and error. They should fit but there are ... | |
| coils | 2/26/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400. Its a points style ignition I bought it and it had no fire. Put a coil ... A: These are the most likely causes for your bikes problem: 1. Contact points stuck closed, not ... | |
| 99 low mile shadow wont turn over | 2/24/2011 |
| Q: I am 25 years old and im a ford automotive tech and have been a mechanic for about 8yrs so i do have ... A: The clunking sounds like a problem inside the engine case where the starter drive assembly is. ... | |
| 83 honda magna 45 | 2/23/2011 |
| Q: My bike idles ok but at around 55mph or so theres a hesitation. I was thinking of changing the coils ... A: The carburetion on these bikes was set very lean to meet the epa pollution standards. This is the ... | |
| clutch not disengaging | 2/22/2011 |
| Q: Wayne, i have a 1992 kawasaki ninja zx7r and i am experiencing trouble with my clutch. At first i ... A: Always check the linkage and shift lever for obstructions first. It sounds like the clutch is not ... | |
| 97 kawasaki bayou 4x4 | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: I have a kawaski bayou 300 4x4 I put a new head gasket and a new carb on it. It is being driven as ... A: The first thing to determine is whether the engine is getting too much fuel/air mixture or not ... | |
| coil | 2/20/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1960s honda c100 can you tell me what the coil setting should read when tested. trying to ... A: Check for cylinder compression before going too far. You need some pressure to start the engine. If ... | |
| Honda ATC 250 Cam Timing | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: I am rebuilding this motor and I have no idea on how to set the cam timing, can you help me with ... A: You did not mention the year of the ATC so I will give you what info I can. Most Hondas use a ... | |
| yamaha vx7 | 2/18/2011 |
| Q: I've currently purchased a 84 yamaha virago. On my registration paper it is designated as model ... A: Your bike should be an XV700 by the sounds of it. The XV750 was not made in 1984 just until 1983. ... | |
| 85 yamaha | 2/17/2011 |
| Q: I recently bought a 85 xj700 maxim and I am looking for a repair manual for it. When I look up ... A: The "JYA" in the vin means "Japanese, Yamaha, Motorcycle (Division A)" The "1FG" means 1985 XJ700N ... | |
| help | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: I am about to buy a 94 hd 883 the only problem it has is the back brake light is staying and he said ... A: The brake light is controlled by the front and rear brake light switches. Most Harleys use ... | |
| Battery fuse burn out | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: I have a simple question. I have a 1990 Yamaha venture. the battery is dead so I connected a trickle ... A: A confusing question although the answer may be simple. You may have to get back to me with a follow ... | |
| 1980 cb900 boldor | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: can i run my bike on unleaded fuel or continue to use the additives,regards mick. A: Honda has not needed leaded fuel since about 1970 and for sure since 1977. The bikes have had ... | |
| polaris 300 4 wheeler engine | 2/13/2011 |
| Q: I have engine that will start runs however after 10 minutes or hard use moving snow will lock up. ... A: The Polaris 300 models use a two-stroke/cycle engine. This means they need either a premix of ... | |
| 85 yamaha | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: I recently bought a 85 xj700 maxim and I am looking for a repair manual for it. When I look up ... A: This can get very complicated so here is a basic model list: 700's: XJ700N = 1985 XJ700 Maxim, ... | |
| 2002 polaris sportsman 400 | 2/11/2011 |
| Q: I have a no start poblem with my atv. I pulled the spark plug to check for spark and there is only ... A: These ignition problems can be tough to pin down due to all the various components. First things I ... | |
| wr 426 | 2/10/2011 |
| Q: I was riding my 01' wr 426 in 5th gear and. the bike would surge like it was hitting to governor. I ... A: These bikes can require alot of trial and error tuning to get things right. I suspect your engine ... | |
| Very high idle At start | 2/9/2011 |
| Q: 1982 Kz1100 D1 Spectre, when first starting the bike will go to @7000 rpm & rising(which I ... A: These multiple carbs can be a bit tricky to set up. Under normal settings the idle would not speed ... | |
| spark problem | 2/8/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Yamaha Maxim. I have great spark from my from the left side. And about two sparks ... A: If you have one good coil try switching the incoming small coil wires and see if you get spark or ... | |
| battery charging at idle | 2/7/2011 |
| Q: I have heard several times that my 2001 Yamaha 650 V Star does not charge the battery when idling, ... A: On the average most motorcycle charging systems are just designed to maintain a previously charged ... | |
| Top end rattle | 2/6/2011 |
| Q: Hey on my 1984 Honda CB650SC there is a rattle that sounds like it's coming from the top end. I took ... A: The top end of the CB650SC is a little noisy at least when cold. This is due to it having hydraulic ... | |
| how do ifix my dirt bike | 2/5/2011 |
| Q: i just bought a 1982 Honda dirt bike i do not know how to fix it i have a flat tire i need to ... A: Since the problems you described are common repairs and I don't know exactly which model your dirt ... | |
| honda cb360 | 2/3/2011 |
| Q: i have done everything i know how to do did the carbs spark plugs wiring an more turns over wont ... A: To get the CB360 running you need a reasonable compression reading, probably no less than 130 psi ... | |
| Klr 250 | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1999 klr 250 that I bought. The bike had been sitting outside for a while. I cleaned gas ... A: Stan, yes, ATF is auto trans fluid. It is a good substitute for a top end engine lubricant. You ... | |
| Klr 250 | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1999 klr 250 that I bought. The bike had been sitting outside for a while. I cleaned gas ... A: First thing I would check on these bikes is if the valve clearance is okay. If none of the valves ... | |
| 1985 honda 250cc fourtrax | 2/1/2011 |
| Q: my honda fourtrax is sputtering when i hit the throttle and the carb is good and clean all spark ... A: The number one cause for sputtering is moisture in the fuel tank. If even one drop of water forms ... | |
| 1978 Honda goldwing exhaust | 1/30/2011 |
| Q: On my gl1000 exhaust pipe (cylinder #3) there is an odd shaped obstruction that is not apparent in ... A: Damien, The exhaust headers are a dual wall construction and sometimes the inner tube can ... | |
| 1978 Honda goldwing exhaust | 1/29/2011 |
| Q: On my gl1000 exhaust pipe (cylinder #3) there is an odd shaped obstruction that is not apparent in ... A: My best guess would be that someone has replaced the exhaust pipes with those off a newer model. ... | |
| hi beam not working | 1/28/2011 |
| Q: i have a suzuki rf600r,the hi beam is not working,bulb ok,open the left hand side cover open on ... A: I believe these models have the lights going through some fuses before reaching the bulb. Check on ... | |
| Sheng Wey PZ 27 | 1/27/2011 |
| Q: Where can we purchase jets for this carb? Can they be cross referenced? Thanks, Joe A: If you try your local Honda and Kawasaki shops they may have something that will fit. The Sheng Wey ... | |
| Carbs are to rich | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: Yes, i have a 1982 kawasaki csr 305 and i have been trying to lean the carbs out, but no matter what ... A: You did not mention what you have tried or why you think it is running rich so I will give you what ... | |
| Suzuki C50T Electrical | 1/25/2011 |
| Q: Mr Samel, My 2005 C50T has been sitting for some time. I jump started it however when I ride it, ... A: The battery condition can definitely be an issue as these bikes use transistor ignitions that are ... | |
| 2006 suzuki 125 DZL | 1/24/2011 |
| Q: Bought used. thought it had a fuel problem. seemed like it was getting no fuel. Cleaned out ... A: The problem could be low compression but there are many other possibilities. First thing I would do ... | |
| 1998 goldwing | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: won,t start in gear with clutch pulled ,in starts fine in neutral A: Check the clutch switch on the left handlebar lever and the side stand switch. These two switches ... | |
| Camshaft 180 degress out? | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: I'm working on a 1973 Honda CB350G. I have rebuilt the top end, and cant seem to fire it up. Fuel, ... A: Glad to hear yuu got it running. The top end commonly makes a little noise but pull off the valve ... | |
| Carburetors | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: We are in Newport Beach CA We have a CB750 Year 1982 Model RS. The bike is in good condition - ... A: This carb problem should not be too hard to resolve. There are only a few things that can cause this ... | |
| 1987 atv yamaha 350 big bear | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: I THINK I FOUND THE PROBLEM,ON THE END OF THE SHIFTER THERE IS A BRACKET THAT HAS SPRINGS ON IT AND ... A: It sounds like the shifter shaft assembly is broken. The hooks you mentioned are probably the ones ... | |
| Will not idle without choke, dies when throttle is applied. | 1/18/2011 |
| Q: I have a 2005 Yamaha V-star 1100 that I bought used with custom pipes (no idea what brand, I have ... A: This problem is almost always that the fuel has gelled and plugged up either the pilot jets or the ... | |
| Yamaha Exciter 250 1981 | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: I have a Yamaha 250 Exciter 1981( SR250 I believe) with electric start only. I would like to put a ... A: The starter may need to be cleaned up and checked out unless the starter drive is slipping. If it ... | |
| 1987 yamaha big bear 350 atv. | 1/16/2011 |
| Q: the last time i used my atv. i geared up with no problem now i can't get the gears to go back down ... A: Your atv has two clutches but that may not be the problem. One clutch is actually a centrifugal set ... | |
| Camshaft 180 degress out? | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: I'm working on a 1973 Honda CB350G. I have rebuilt the top end, and cant seem to fire it up. Fuel, ... A: Yes, check the spring advance behind the points plate. If you look closely at it the center part ... | |
| rear brakes seizing | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: my name is josh and i have bought my son a 2010 korian kx import 125 motor bike, he got a puncture ... A: Sometimes, if it has a hydraulic brake the fluid will have small bubbles in it which are hard to get ... | |
| 1973 Honda CL 175 | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: recently I installed a new throttle cable and I think that I may have switched the throttle slides ... A: The throttle slides have a cutaway on the bottom of the slide. The cutaway part always faces the ... | |
| Dirt bike dies when in gear | 1/13/2011 |
| Q: I have a mid 90's KDX 200 2stroke dirt bike. The bike starts fine and will even run in gear when I ... A: It sounds like the clutch is not releasing. This can be caused by the clutch plates being stuck ... | |
| Camshaft 180 degress out? | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: I'm working on a 1973 Honda CB350G. I have rebuilt the top end, and cant seem to fire it up. Fuel, ... A: Yes, it sounds like your camshaft is out about a half turn. That means the crank-shaft has to make ... | |
| wr 250 starting problems | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: ive just bought a 97 wr 250 it has been standing for over a year and a half? prior to it standing ... A: Sounds like it needs a new kickstart spring. Watch out it doesn't backfire with that kick lever down ... | |
| 125dr suzuki dirt bike | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: I just got a 1986 suzuki 125dr dirt bike and when i open the throttle all tha way it sounds like its ... A: The high speed fuel mixture is controlled mostly by the main jet in the carb. That is the one ... | |
| Camshaft 180 degress out? | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: I'm working on a 1973 Honda CB350G. I have rebuilt the top end, and cant seem to fire it up. Fuel, ... A: I think the easiest way to verify things are correct may be to watch your intake valve opening and ... | |
| 1986 Yamaha Maxim XJ700X | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: The bike will not stay in idle once warmed up. I have replaced the petcock and have adjusted the ... A: There are a few things that can cause this stalling on older Yamahas. First things to check (as you ... | |
| Vmax handling problem | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: I have a 1989 model Yamaha Vmax. When i am riding the bike and negotiating a turn on either sides, a ... A: The frame on these bikes is less rigid than most race type bike frames and the wheelbase is longer ... | |
| Honda: What is it? | 1/6/2011 |
| Q: I know less than nothing about motorcycles and am working on getting one sold for my boss. Was ... A: The bike in the photo is: 1985 Honda CB450SC (Nighthawk) Specs are: Candy Andromeda Red The ... | |
| 1976 xl250 electric problem Honda | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: my 1976 (blue) Honda xl250 is blowing headlight. a/c volts going too high. 15 volts at idle. do you ... A: It sounds like a 1976 Candy Sapphire Blue Honda. The serial number began XL250-4000001 on those. ... | |
| carb problem?? | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: , i have a 1985 mtx 200 r honda, at 85-95kmh it hesitates(misses)as this is normal cruise speed it ... A: There are a few things that can contribute to this problem. The first thing is the design of the two ... | |
| 91 gsxr 1100 running terrible | 1/3/2011 |
| Q: hey i have a 91 suzuki gsxr 1100 kitted to 1250, it starts and drives but it backfires like crazy ... A: Usually backfires are caused by lean fuel mixtures. This can mean a lack of fuel or an excess of ... | |
| carb adj,2005 shadow 600 | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: how do i adjust the carb on this bike. all the potiental adjustments are capped by the manufacture ... A: There are a few things that can cause the rich idle condition. The pilot or idle mixture screw on ... | |
| starter drive clutch | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: I have a 92 Yamaha virago 750. I am having a problem with the bike starting. When you hit the ... A: Victor, The Virago had some starter design problems on the 750 models up to about 1985. They ... | |
| honda sl90 | 12/30/2010 |
| Q: i have a honda sl90,the only problem of the engine is that the spark plug turn into black & dry in ... A: Make sure your air filter is not restricting air. It may need a new filter. Check that the cutaway ... | |
| wiring | 12/28/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a 1984 xlx sportster. It has some issues that need dealt with. One problem is that ... A: Always check the fuses and bulbs first and then see if the power is getting to the wires. The low ... | |
| PW 80 | 12/25/2010 |
| Q: HAVE A PW 80 99 OR 01 I CAN GET IT TO FIRE IF I SPRAY SOME INTO THE BREATHER OF CARB BUT IT WILL NOT ... A: Dustin, If your bike runs when you spray fuel into the carb mouth it means you are not getting ... | |
| cl 125 ignition problems | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: i have a 1972 cl 125 when i got it it would start and run, sometimes good, sometimes rough. heres ... A: Mike, Older Honda's depend quite heavily on the battery to create a good ignition spark. Always use ... | |
| Honda CB500t | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: My CB500t is stuck in neutral It will not shift up or down. The shift lever moves as it should it ... A: Pete, It sounds like you will have to pull the right side clutch cover off to inspect the shifter ... | |
| 1984 venture clutch issue | 8/21/2010 |
| Q: Glad to see there is people like you helping us out. I recently bought a 1984 xvz1200 yamaha ... A: Parts are getting tough to find for these older bikes unfortunately. Sometimes you can get parts ... | |
| Brake Light won't brighten | 5/18/2008 |
| Q: I am buying a 1999 Yamaha YZF-R1. The brake light will come on as a running light but it will not ... A: Steve, Check your fuses, then check if you have power on the brown wire to the rear brake light ... | |
| Katana gas lines | 5/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Suzuki Katana 600, It didn't have a gas tank when I got it so I don't know where the ... A: these bikes have alot of confusing hoses. Even more so on Calif models. Some of the hoses belong ... | |
| 1979 Honda CB750k cam adjustment | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: i was wondering if you know how to adjust the cams on the cb750k. I know there is a nut to do it ... A: Alex, the later dual cam 750 uses shims to adjust the valve clearance. You need a special tool to ... | |
| oil change | 5/15/2008 |
| Q: i have an 83 suzuki gs 650 tempter.. i've misplaced the manual and can't remember how much oil i'm ... A: Tammy, when changing oil, you should always add a couple of quarts or litres (10W40 motorcycle oil) ... | |
| Bike dies when I put it in gear | 5/14/2008 |
| Q: The bike is a 1990 suzuki GSX600F. It runs in nuetral, but as soon as I put it in gear it dies. I'm ... A: Mark, will the bike keep running if you get it rolling and put it in gear? If so, the clutch may be ... | |
| rpm problem | 5/13/2008 |
| Q: i have a 2003 yamaha vstar 1100 classic. my bike has set for about 8 months with 10,000 miles on it. ... A: Greg, The carbs are probably a bit sticky from sitting so long. The throttle is controlled by ... | |
| 2007 shadow aero speedometer | 5/12/2008 |
| Q: hi while riding my aero i noticed the speedo jumping from 65 to55 then to 0 after i stopped to eat ... A: Russell, since it is an intermittant problem it might be hard to diagnose without replacing parts. ... | |
| engine idle screw | 5/12/2008 |
| Q: While conducting routine maintenance I accidentally "not paying attention" "unscrewed" the engine ... A: Karl, look on the right middle side of the carb very close to the seam where the float bowl meets ... | |
| 99 CBR 600 engine quits while driving | 5/11/2008 |
| Q: I have a 99 Honda CBR 600 F4, twice in the last two weeks I have been riding and the engine will ... A: Mitch, sounds like a fuel problem. Could be: -a plugged gas tank air vent or cap. You will notice ... | |
| 2004 vulcan 1500 splitting the crankcase | 5/11/2008 |
| Q: I have the engine apart but having trouble splitting the crankcase are there any tricks or will I ... A: Cliff, often the problem is a missed bolt somewhere in the case. I believe these have about 20 ... | |
| 1998 Valkyrie Iginition | 5/11/2008 |
| Q: Lost my keys. Dealer says he can not help but will sell me a new module for $140.00US. I have the ... A: Tom, the bolts that hold the switch on are called "break off bolts" The drive part breaks off when ... | |
| rjohnston@barbeckbb.com | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: I'm looking or the head and crankcase main bolt torque for an 85 V65 sabre. I've replaced second ... A: Rich, they don't list torque specs for common parts. They advise using the average torque ... | |
| 1982 XT250 with no power | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: . i just bought this bike and it has lots of juice in 1st gear, but when it hits 2nd and third it ... A: Travis, check the air filter for clogging. The carb jets could be gummed up, try filling the float ... | |
| 95 magna | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: My 1995 Honda Magna all of a sudden quit starting. When I push the starter button, all I get is a ... A: Stuart, that clicking sound is your starter relay switch. It may be faulty or it may be your ... | |
| 1984 V65 magna | 5/9/2008 |
| Q: I am rebuilding the carbs on a V65 magna VF1100c my question is I am replacing the float valve and ... A: The originals are the best as aftermarket quality varies. The Keyster's are a commonly used ... | |
| ninja clutch oil leak | 5/9/2008 |
| Q: I recently got a 90' ninja 750r from a friend that was in an accident and dismantled. I've pieced ... A: Reid, Yes it could be either the slave cylinder seal or the push rod leaking. If you lose clutch ... | |
| 1986 Suzuki Intruder VS750 | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: I recently purchased an 86' Intruder VS750 with a vin number indicating it is from the UK. My ... A: Gene, the only thing these bikes had extra was a sidestand light. Other than that I would be ... | |
| speedometer/odometer not working | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: Wayne, I have a 2001 Honda CBR 600 F4i. The speedo/odometer are not working but the tachometer is. ... A: Arnold, the speed sensor next the starter motor sends a voltage pulse to the speedometer. If you ... | |
| Replacing fork seals | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: I've never changed out fork seals before, and need to do it on a 1979 Yamaha XS750F. Condidering the ... A: Tom, remove the front wheel, it is good to put a wedge or something like that between the brake ... | |
| tapping noise from top end | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: Hey Wayne, I have a '82 Yamaha Virago 750 which has a tapping/ticking noise coming from ... A: Gary, Do you have a fuel pump? -It only pumps when it senses the need, so it may click a few times ... | |
| Vaccum lines | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: I have a used 1986 Honda Shadow 1100 and I have found two vacuum lines unhooked. They are located ... A: Vince, they are probably part of the emissions system, maybe go to a control valve, air cleaner ... | |
| Honda won't start | 5/6/2008 |
| Q: It's a 1976 Honda cb500t with 28,000 miles. I'm looking to buy it. Owner says it won't start ... A: Gregg, if it has been sitting the compression will likely be low from lack of lubrication and/or ... | |
| In need of Torque specs | 5/6/2008 |
| Q: Hey,I have an 82 Honda CX500C that I'm rebuilding. I have 2 manuals(Haynes & Clymer) & no torque ... A: Chris, they don't list torque specs for common parts. They advise using the average torque ... | |
| 81 CB 750 Float needles | 5/6/2008 |
| Q: I am working on a cb 750-all 4 float needles leaked and I have replaced them all and they still leak ... A: Wes, it doesn't normally take much pressure to close a float valve. Have you checked for debris in ... | |
| 1989 Honda CR125 | 5/5/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know how to re-install the exhaust power valve linkage so that the marks line up. A: Mark, you might need a manual or at least a parts diagram for this. ... | |
| shadow won't start | 5/4/2008 |
| Q: it run great last year but this year I can't seem to get her to start, I did get her once to barely ... A: Ray, -check if the compression is about equal on both cylinders. -check that you have spark on ... | |
| 73 RT3 360 | 5/4/2008 |
| Q: Mr.Samel, My 360 idles great (about 1500) when cold. Starts great and seems to have good power thru ... A: Gerald, It is likely a small air leak somewhere. Possible trouble spots are: the carb flange o-ring ... | |
| yamaha 700xv virago 1984 | 5/4/2008 |
| Q: When I ride my yamaha 700xv virago, when the motor still is cold I the motor has good power and can ... A: Stanley, these bikes definitely need a good battery and clean tight connections to run well. The ... | |
| points adjustment | 5/3/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1975 Honda CB360T that has some timing issues. Idling, it backfires slightly (just a ... A: Corey, make sure the points are flat and clean. Use a small file or some emery paper to clean them ... | |
| Fork seals | 5/3/2008 |
| Q: I need to replace my front fork seals on my 1981 Honda cb 650. The manual says take to a dealer. Is ... A: Tim, it can be done at home with a little care. Most of the tools are common or can be fabricated ... | |
| cam shaft chain | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: need to know how to replace the chain that goes from the cam down to the crank and how to time it A: Billy, you never gave me the year, make or model of the bike, there is no way I can answer your ... | |
| kawasaki zl900 | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: i working on this bike myself and was wondering where i could find the procedure for timming the ... A: Jeff, Align the #1,4 T mark on the rotor. Set the lines on the cam gears so they are aligned with ... | |
| Honda 750 Shadow idle problem | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: Bought Two 750's (2003) niether had been run for 18months. New gas,plugs,batteries, drained carbs. ... A: Kevin, the bikes having so few miles on them leads me to believe the carb idle jets and passageways ... | |
| drum brakes yamaha xt225 | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: my rear brake is out, i tried replacing the shoes but they are not worn (1400 miles). there is no ... A: Marshall, is the brake pedal hitting something? Sometimes they get hit or bent and it stops the ... | |
| 73 honda cb350g super sport | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: Wayne, I need some advice... I have a 1973 honda cb350g super sport, It had a bad plug on the right ... A: Frank, check that the points for the right coil are opening and closing okay. You can lay the ... | |
| noisy honda | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I have an 87 honda xl 250rfvc with what sounds like a noisy rocker when first starting,if I let it ... A: Mark, is this a tapping noise or a rattling sound? Have you checked the valve clearance? It could ... | |
| electrical problem | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1991 Honda Nighthawk (cb)750. I took my bike for a ride yesterday, it ran fine. I went to ... A: Robert, the battery could be failing. Have you tried it with the battery charger connected? Have ... | |
| 1997 Marauder VZ800 speedo drive ratio | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: 2240/60? Is the stock speedo nut a 12mm? Replacing damaged stock speedo w/ aftermarket. Thanks BC A: BC, Most Suzuki's use a 1:4 ratio speedo. The speedo drive may be 2240 cable RPM = 60 MPH. The ... | |
| rear caliper rebuild 82 gl1100 I | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: I replaced the pads. The calipers stuck. I have ordered rebuild kits and will install. My question ... A: Bruce, the silicon brake grease is to prevent future metal corrosion as it can stand the high ... | |
| 1987 zx600 kawasaki ninja | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: bike is stalling,and running rough.idling at below 1000 rpm's.it sat for two years,only being run ... A: Bill, the problem is almost always gas varnish stuck in the carb idle, needle and main jets. Other ... | |
| suzuki ts 100 | 4/29/2008 |
| Q: I'm trying to help a friend get his bike running,it has run enough to get me down the street then it ... A: Seb, the compression sounds low on that bike for it's low mileage. The rings may be stuck in the ... | |
| Yamaha Mate Scooter | 4/29/2008 |
| Q: I have a Yamaha Mate Scooter (similar to the Yamaha u7). When I bought it it had not been running ... A: Andrew, If the spark looks good, try a good spark plug and spray some carb cleaner or wd40 in the ... | |
| 86 honda fourtrax wont start | 4/29/2008 |
| Q: my 250 fourtrax has spark but wont start ,does it need a battery to run ,when i pull it the lights ... A: Chris, if it has a good spark, then you are not getting fuel I suspect. Have you checked if fuel ... | |
| 1980 honda goldwing gl1100 charging issue | 4/29/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1980 honda goldwing gl 1100, and while i have the battery hooked up the bike will start, ... A: Steven, yes, a bad battery could be trouble. The battery should be charged fully and connected at ... | |
| honda cb750 with no spark | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1974 Honda cb750 that i just bought and it was all taken apart. so the wiring is a night ... A: Sam, as far as having spark goes you need battery power coming from the ignition switch to the fuse ... | |
| Honda Shadow 1986 VT700 | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a Honda Shadow VT 700 86 and i recently have refilled the clutch fluid, now i have the ... A: Tim, -Try to purge the air from the top down. Pump the clutch lever and hold, then open the ... | |
| 1981 Suzuki GS550 | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: Bike will not start without giving it raw gas. Once it is running I can shut it down and restart ... A: Darrell, -it sounds to me like the float levels are set too low. When correct the fuel in the ... | |
| Rod Bearings | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: My dad has a 1984 Honda Goldwing GL1100 Interstate and he bought the bike a year ago, and now he is ... A: Brent, The clearances should be checked with plastigage to be within .001"-.003" for rods. and ... | |
| Firing | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Honda Gold Wing 1100. The firing is really week, can feel it a little just can not see ... A: Chris, the 82 models have a separate ignition system for plugs 1-2 and for plugs 3-4. If you have ... | |
| re: honda bol d'or cb990 f not charging | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: I am inquiring about my honda bol d'or , i bought this bike 2 years ago in the beginning she was ... A: Jay, your problems are somewhat related but really separate issues. The ignition system consists ... | |
| dt100 | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: My clutch wont disenge.When i took the cover off at gear shifter,it looked like the armm that the ... A: Ian, the clutch arm pushes on the clutch push rod. The push rod should not be bent. Between the ... | |
| 76' cb 750 popping at idle | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: i am at 0 feet above sea level, 55 degrees , and i have the old style kehin carbs. thanks. -mike A: Mike, with the kerker on it I would suspect it is running a bit lean due to less backpressure. If ... | |
| seals | 4/25/2008 |
| Q: is it important to repair your seals when there leaking how long an they last? A: Zac, If you mean the fork seals, they can leak awhile but you lose some fork oil over time. This ... | |
| Fluid in crank case breather | 4/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1979 honda cb650 and I recently pulled the plug on my crankcase breather, and a fair ... A: Jonathan, that breather is connected to a little liquid collection tank so it does collect some ... | |
| manco talon | 4/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2008 Manco talon,276cc, 4X4, (chinese) ATV. It is used on a farm. I have had it it in for ... A: Eric, first off check your fuses and fuse holders. Use a good battery. Use a good or new spark ... | |
| 1985 Yamaha BW 200 | 4/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1985 yamaha bw 200, you know the one with the ATV tires. Well it needs a new muffler and i ... A: Aaron, you will have to search the bike wreckers or repair your muffler if possible. They are ... | |
| Removing seat | 4/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1984 Magna 750. How do I remove the seat so I can service the battery ? A: Paul, it depends on the model. One has 3 bolts, one on the top rear and one on each side of the ... | |
| Km100 shifting problems | 4/23/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1978 Kawasaki KM100. my friend rode this bike for a while until the flywheel got loose then ... A: the way it works is when you push your gear shift pedal it moves a shifter arm shaped a bit like a ... | |
| 1981 Yamaha Virago VX750 Backfire & Sputtering | 4/23/2008 |
| Q: I just got my bike out of storage and it is now backfiring and sputtering between 1800 and 3000 RPM. ... A: Matt, try filling the carb float bowls with some good yamaha carb cleaner and let them soak ... | |
| Fouled plugs | 4/22/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1982 cb 750 F that continues to have fouled plugs. I have had the carbs taken off and ... A: Brent, have you checked the ignition advance unit? If the timing is late the fuel may not have ... | |
| 1976 honda cb750 fast idle | 4/22/2008 |
| Q: i hva a 76'cb750 and im at wits end with the carbs. i have set to all factory specs as a strting ... A: Mike, any air leak on the boot side may affect the idle. The boots can sometimes be checked by ... | |
| 1970SL 350 timing | 4/21/2008 |
| Q: How do you check the points/timing on this cycle? A: Phillip, The points are under the top left engine cap. Make sure they are shiny clean and flat. ... | |
| starter going crazy | 4/21/2008 |
| Q: hey man, first of all , i appreciate any help. I have an 01 sv650 suzuki. went to crank it upthis ... A: Jason, this is likely your starter solenoid or relay sticking. It could be the starter button I ... | |
| my gs 450 | 4/21/2008 |
| Q: Ok, so my clutch won't release. I was told by somebody, to pull the lever and try and push it to ... A: Clint, the clutch push rod may be bent or the clutch plates stuck together from rust or corrosion. ... | |
| Electical Problems | 4/20/2008 |
| Q: My father passed away and left me a 1976 honda twin motorcycle. He talked about how the bike has ... A: Antonio, try this webpage for Honda ignition timing. http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/Rtiming.html Also ... | |
| cb 750 starter | 4/20/2008 |
| Q: Do you have any idea what the resistance reading of a starter would be? Mine spins but does not have ... A: Brent, is your battery in good shape? You might be losing power through the wires or magnetic ... | |
| No fire! | 4/20/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1980 kawasaki kz440a that most of the time runs great. While riding last summer the bike ... A: John, that is your ignition pickup coil under that small cover on the right side of the engine ... | |
| goldwing will not move | 4/20/2008 |
| Q: My 1986 goldwing aspencade will sometimes not move when put in gear. when it cools off it will ... A: Wallace, it sounds like a clutch problem. On the right rear side of the engine under the clutch ... | |
| dirt bike | 4/20/2008 |
| Q: I have a 100cc japenese brand dirt bike. i just put the carboratore on it but every time i start it ... A: David, the carb has a throttle slide that goes in the top, it has a slot in it and there is a pin ... | |
| No spark on left spark plug wire. | 4/19/2008 |
| Q: I currently own a 2002 Honda Rebel 250 to which I am having a problem. I can not get it to start. I ... A: Alfonso, one side of the ignition coils is grounded. The yellow/black wires run to the ignition box ... | |
| No fire! | 4/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1980 kawasaki kz440a that most of the time runs great. While riding last summer the bike ... A: John, check for power on both sides of your 15 amp fuse with the key on. Wires should be red/blue ... | |
| timing a sp 125 suzuki 1984 | 4/19/2008 |
| Q: im trying to time a 1984 sp 125 and cant find a manual i need to know what the timing marks are and ... A: Jim, are you asking about ignition timing? There is a "F" or fire mark on the flywheel that has to ... | |
| 1980 kdx400 dirt bike | 4/19/2008 |
| Q: ..what is the fuel ratio?..and also i have no spark at all...and a chunk out of my stator...is that ... A: Tim, yes, your bike is a 2 stroke engine. The fuel/oil premix ratio is about 4 ounces of motorcycle ... | |
| My GS450 blown fuse | 4/18/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Suzuki GS 450, and I am working on it currently, so since it isn't being ridden yet, I ... A: Clint, I don't recommend using your car battery as they have way too much current for motorcyles. ... | |
| 74 Dt250 Cutting Out | 4/18/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1974 Yamaha Dt250. A few weeks ago it started cutting out at around 5000 rpm. Before it ... A: Matt, when you shut off the gas it starts to lean out the fuel mixture which indicates your problem ... | |
| High idle on my Yamaha | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: Hey Wayne, I have a 1986 XJ700 Maxim that idles extremely high after warm-up. I've gone through the ... A: Rich, many of these had idle problems. Most of it is related to lean idle mixtures and they are ... | |
| repair my oldie | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: hey bro how can i put back the timer chain,? i know there is a few marks on top but I can`t find ... A: Jose, the problem here is you never mentioned the year, brand or model of bike. There are thousands ... | |
| suzuki c50 | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: How do remove the rear wheel off a shaft driven Suzuki Boulevard C50 and when reinstalling does the ... A: Lester, -block the bike up so the rear wheel is off the ground. -unscrew the rear brake cable or ... | |
| 1981 Yamaha Exciter 250 CC | 4/16/2008 |
| Q: I bought a 81 Yamaha Exciter about 2 years ago. It is my first bike. It did not come with a manual. ... A: Marla, it sounds like it still has some fuel problems. The tank, fuel valve, fuel line, and /or ... | |
| CA95 Honda petcock | 4/16/2008 |
| Q: Have been restoring a 66 CA95 150 Benly and can't get the petcock to stop leaking even with a ... A: Doug, other than bad or missing seals, warped body or tank cracked, the only thing might be the ... | |
| Fluid in crank case breather | 4/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1979 honda cb650 and I recently pulled the plug on my crankcase breather, and a fair ... A: Jonathan, If your air filter is plugged or the cover is being sucked in it might restrict air flow ... | |
| valve adjustment | 4/15/2008 |
| Q: i have a 1965 cb160 honda and i have the drivers manual and a clymers manual and the both say ... A: Ken, set the valve clearances cold at about .004" on both valves. This is safe and they rattle a ... | |
| timing marks | 4/15/2008 |
| Q: Waht are the timing marks for a 1977 Honda 125? A: J, are you asking about ignition timing or valve timing marks? Honda uses an "F" mark to indicate ... | |
| 1980 yamaha 400 s | 4/15/2008 |
| Q: I have the 80 yamaha, got bike with 8975 miles on it woudn't run. cleaned carbs the jets, now the ... A: Chris, if you have a clean air box and air filter and the choke is not stuck or needing ... | |
| 74 yamaha dt100 | 4/14/2008 |
| Q: My cycle clutch wont disengage Iput a new cable on and adjusted it and that seems to be working ... A: Ian, I suggest checking your clutch push rod to make sure it is not bent. If it was low on oil the ... | |
| battery location | 4/14/2008 |
| Q: i just purchased a 1986 yamaha venture royal motorcycle and i dont have a manual and my battery is ... A: Gerald, the battery is under the fake fuel tank cover. You have to lift the fuel cover and remove ... | |
| 1981 goldwing radio problem | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: We can not get the volume to work on our 1981 GL Goldwing. The display works and you can just ... A: Joel, you may need a radio technician to check out the radio. It could be the amplifier circuit. ... | |
| 2002 vl 1500 | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: been having trouble with backfiring through carb A: Dude, Lean carburetor settings can contribute to carb backfiring. If the mixture is too lean, it ... | |
| 2003 ninja zx6r | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: my bike starts pulling and the FI light comes on then the engine shuts off after riding for about a ... A: Sergio, it can be hard to find an intermittant problem like this. I recommend if it quits to ... | |
| bike wont start | 4/12/2008 |
| Q: i have a 600rr and i cant get it to start its a new starter so i doubt thats the problem. it works ... A: Hector, Is this a Honda RR? What year is it? It makes a big difference in the wiring etc. it is ... | |
| starter removal | 4/11/2008 |
| Q: i just bought a 1985 honda vt700 shadow. i hooked up a battery and tried to turn the engine over-all ... A: Wayne did you check if battery voltage was getting to the starter from the solenoid? Use a test ... | |
| 2002 suzuki bandit 1200 | 4/10/2008 |
| Q: Every time I park my bike for a couple days it overflows the crank case with gas. I have vacuum ... A: Chris, if it is flooded with fuel it has to be coming from the fuel tank. Some possible problem ... | |
| 1992 kx80 | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1992 kx 80 that won't start well when cold. If I put some gas in the plug hole it will go ... A: Mike, most likely the idle jet or passages in the carb are plugged. Check that the choke is ... | |
| electrial problems | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I just bought a 1977 yamaha xt500 and the signals horn and kill switch does not work any ideas what ... A: Jason, while it could be separate problems with each of these components, I suggest you check the ... | |
| Engine light off and on | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1999 HD Road King Classic that I recently purchased. The previous owner had a 95" big bore ... A: Kevin, The historic code data can stick for up to 50 ignition cycles. Check the connections from ... | |
| CARB ISSUES | 4/8/2008 |
| Q: said carb problem. So my buddy has a bike repair shop and my bike is there and we cleaned the carbs. ... A: Jerry, sounds like the carbs are flooding the cylinders or the air filter/box is restricted. Were ... | |
| 97 Honda cbr600f3 fuel pump | 4/8/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought a Honda bike and I can't get it started. I have looked at the fuel pump and the ... A: Sierra, most all manuals will have the hose routing listed. It may be in the first chapter or two. ... | |
| carbs | 4/8/2008 |
| Q: i have a 1978 honda cb550k with bad carbs i was wondering what carbs are inter changeable for this ... A: Rob, your carbs are engineered and designed to work on the Honda 550. The only replacement possible ... | |
| 1985 Honda Goldwing GL 1200 | 4/7/2008 |
| Q: I recently installed a new stator on my 1985 Honda Goldwing GL 1200 and all the old wires where ... A: Mack, it doesn't matter which wire goes where. Just connect them to the 3 yellows. The other ends ... | |
| 81 suzuki gs450 | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: Can you tell me how to check the cdi? under left side cover there is a black wire with a yellow ... A: James, With wiring it gets tricky here because Suzuki uses yellow/black wires that go to the ... | |
| Carb cleaning 1978 Honda Goldwing GL1000 | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: just bought a 78 honda goldwing GL1000. Need instructions on how to clean carb. would appreciate any ... A: Donnie, You might be able to run some carb cleaner, like "Seafoam" through with the fuel depending ... | |
| removing rear signal lights | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2008 superglide custom. i have been trying to remove the signal lights assembly but cant ... A: Tony, do you mean the connectors? They use "AMP" style connectors on some of the wiring harness. ... | |
| Kawasaki 500 | 4/6/2008 |
| Q: Last fall at the end of the season, my bike worked fine. I parked it in October, and tried to start ... A: Tim, Having the year and model make it easier to diagnose due to changes in design through the ... | |
| 77 harley sportster | 4/5/2008 |
| Q: im trying to put my bike back together, and cant remember how to wire the generator. where does the ... A: Dusty, -the Field wire (green?) or "F" terminal on the generator goes to "F" on the regulator. ... | |
| at approx.4500rpm the engine has power loss | 4/4/2008 |
| Q: My 1979 Honda CX 500 Custom probably needs a replacement regulator/rectifer (200 $) because the need ... A: Ronald, sounds like the high circuit on the stator is bad. This is the blue wire which has a high ... | |
| VIRAGO 750 engine noise | 4/4/2008 |
| Q: Wayne, I have an 82' Yamaha Virago 750 which has a terrible noise coming from the top end I ... A: Gary, try locating the sound with a mechanics stethascope or a long screwdriver held to your ear. ... | |
| cam chain adjustment on 1982 Kawasaki 305 CSR | 4/3/2008 |
| Q: Wayne, I have loosened the nut on the cam chain tensioner. Do I now just tighten the adjusting ... A: Graham, clunking may be in the starter clutch if the springs are weak or worn engine parts such as ... | |
| 1986 honda xr100 | 4/2/2008 |
| Q: the bike starts ok but when i try to drive it there is no power. how do i adjust the timing? A: Martin, I don't know if timing is the problem but usually Hondas have an "F" mark on the flywheel ... | |
| carbs | 4/2/2008 |
| Q: We just clean the carbs on my 1982 yamaha 750 maxim and gave it a simple tune job. when we rev the ... A: Steven, if the backfire is happening in the exhaust system it might just be a loose pipe or bad ... | |
| 73 RT3 Voltage regulator | 4/2/2008 |
| Q: Mr.Samel, I am adding a 6 volt reg. to save headlamps. (as per your advise in another question). ... A: Gerald, If it is a Yamaha 6volt regulator you might want to tap into the yellow mag wire as it is ... | |
| 87 Yamaha srx250 | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: My bike started to leak in my garage over the winter and I took the carburator off and noticed that ... A: Rusty, it sounds like the jets or passageways in the carb may be gummed up. Make sure the throttle ... | |
| slipping clutch | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: 400 miles. I have not had it long. The problem is when it is cold it shifts out fine but soon as it ... A: Charles, the clutch sounds like it may need checking. These bikes used a diaphragm type clutch ... | |
| engine idle speed | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: i own a 2004 honda shadow aero 750 and i was wondering what the engine idle speed is soppose to be ... A: Dwayne, about 1100 rpm is a good starting point. Idle speed can be set slightly higher or lower ... | |
| 87 Honda Magna - No Spark | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: Wayne, This magna has been sitting for more than two years with no gas tank. I originally thought I ... A: Jason, it seems unlikely that both spark units went bad when sitting. Check your side stand switch ... | |
| Goldwing Gear assembly | 3/29/2008 |
| Q: I have a GL1100 '83 with no 4th gear. Probably a bad fork int the gear assembly. I woulld like to ... A: Daniel, I believe you have to remove the left head and cylinders and split the engine to get ... | |
| 1980 yamaha1100 xs | 3/28/2008 |
| Q: My bike will be running good but then at times it seems to lose its power and i'll have to pull ... A: Aaron, I think it may be having trouble with the fuel supply. -The fuel tank air vent could be ... | |
| run ability | 3/27/2008 |
| Q: the bike is a 1991 suzuki gsxr 750 with stage 3 jet kit.. it has been stored with a full tank of gas ... A: Robert, backfire in the exhaust usually indicates a lean fuel mixture. In your case since the bike ... | |
| 1996 honda shadow 600 vlx | 3/26/2008 |
| Q: where is the oil drain plug for a 1996 honda shadow 600 vlx A: Del, If my memory is not completely shot I believe the drain plug is on the bottom left side of the ... | |
| Honda CBR600 | 3/25/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 Honda CBR 600 sport bike. I bought it used and it ran okay for a month or two. Then ... A: Jason, these things can be hard to diagnose. First thing to check is the compression to eliminate ... | |
| 04 crf 80 | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: what is the air screw setting on a 04 crf 80 carb. 1 turn or? A: Ken, since all bikes run different in various parts of the country due to altitude changes this ... | |
| I dont know what to do | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1999 suzuki RM 125 i just bought it but the old owner says it has been sitting for two ... A: Jesse, it may be needing some top end work. After sitting so long, it is good to double check that ... | |
| SUZUKI SV650S K3 2003 | 3/23/2008 |
| Q: I am starting to wire up new streetfighter kose clocks, i have wiring diagrams for new clocks but ... A: Albert, the speed sensor wires are usually orange/red, pink, and black/white (ground) The tach ... | |
| 3-wheeler | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: Basicly I can be driving and in gear and the machine will come to a dead stop for no reason and it ... A: Tyler, it sounds like the clutch plates may need replacing. It is probably holding some of the ... | |
| front exhaust pipe | 3/21/2008 |
| Q: Just bought a 2005 honda crf450x,after idling for abought 5 min.the front exhaust pipe is glowing ... A: Anthony, this is not a bike to let idle for more than a minute or two. They get hot very quickly ... | |
| carburetor problem | 3/20/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought a 85 kawasaki KLT110A2 3 wheeler. It has a Keihin/PC18 carb. Problem is it wont ... A: Bill, there is an o-ring on each side of the insulator block between the carb and the engine. Any ... | |
| 1973 Honda CB500 fork oil capacity | 3/18/2008 |
| Q: What is the fork oil capacity for a 1973 Honda CB500 and do I actually need to use fork oil or will ... A: Dave, the capacity for each fork is 5.4 ounces or 160 cc. Although you can use motor oil or ATF ... | |
| 1986 Honda VT500C Carb/Exhaust issues | 3/17/2008 |
| Q: I have an 86 VT500C that I changed the exhaust on. I took the stock mufflers out at the clamp and ... A: James, Since straight pipes mainly affect high speed running I suggest trying a #118 jet in the ... | |
| Yamaha Banshee | 3/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 Yamaha Banshee. One of the pistons is not firing(right side). The engine starts and ... A: Jorge, first thing to do is see if the cylinder compression is near the same on both cylinders. ... | |
| charging system | 3/14/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Honda CX500C and for the past year I have had to keep charging my battery to be able ... A: Craig, Unplug it's connector and check the stator output. Approx 60 volts AC on any stator wire ... | |
| Intruder Electrical issue | 3/14/2008 |
| Q: I left the lights on .......Again. Brought bike home and put a manual charger on it which has the ... A: Mark, check your fuses, you should have power going to the coils on the orange/white wires. The ... | |
| Suzuki Bandit stalling | 3/13/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought a 2000 Suzuki Bandit 600S. The bike has 18K on it, and has always been properly ... A: Philipp, could be one of many things, are the plugs normal or do they look rich (black)colored? Is ... | |
| 1979 Twinstar Carburator | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: I was given a 79 Twinstar which has not run in 10+ years. I am trying to pull the carb, and the ... A: Jerry, it's getting tough to find parts for these. I think because the carb feeds two cylinders it ... | |
| 79 Z50R NO SPARK | 3/11/2008 |
| Q: I HAVE A 79 HONDA Z50R WITH NO SPARK. I PULLED OFF THE COIL AND GROUNDED IT TO A SMALL 12V BATTERY. ... A: Don, use a new or good spark plug. (.024" gap) try disconnecting the kill button wire, ... | |
| 100cc mid 1980's 2 stroke kawasaki starting problem | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: I have just recently been given a 100cc kawasaki 2 stroke mid 1980s and i had it going for about 1 ... A: Scott, if your carb is in the side cover, it is a rotary valve engine. The valve can get scored and ... | |
| Starting a dormant engine | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: I'm rebuilding a 1985 Honda Rebel, this is the first time I have attempted this type of project, and ... A: Randall, I am not sure exactly what parts of the bike have been rebuilt but since it has not run ... | |
| suzuki gs450 1981 | 3/9/2008 |
| Q: I started it but after 4 min. it just died, tried again and it wont start, just backfire... waited ... A: Jeff, some of the early models still had contact point ignitions which require maintenance ... | |
| 2000 shadow stalling | 3/8/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2000 honda vt600C (2000 original miles) that will not run more than a couple seconds after ... A: Andrew, since the bike was running normally yesterday as you said, I suspect something like a ... | |
| I crossed the battery terminals | 3/7/2008 |
| Q: It's a Yamaha 360 1977 model and I was wondering what to check first. There's no juice to the key ... A: Andrew, Let me know what you find, I was thinking of the old RT360 when you wrote me. You likely ... | |
| yamaha r6 | 3/6/2008 |
| Q: i have a yamaha R6. sometimes its hard to start. you have to choke it 4 @ least a minute. after it ... A: Sai, I suggest replacing the fuel filter, checking the battery condition and the cable connections. ... | |
| waterpump drip | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1985 V65 Honda Sabre, I have a drip coming from my water pump cover that I can't get ... A: Curt, Check the hoses carefully. Small leaks usually show up under pressure like when engine is ... | |
| Motorcycle problem | 3/4/2008 |
| Q: I own a 1999 Kawasaki zx600. The problem is that when am in 6 th gear and cruising, if I engage the ... A: Jose, at high speeds the engine and clutch are turning fast, when you pull the clutch and close the ... | |
| heavy vibration | 3/3/2008 |
| Q: i have a problem of heavy vibration from tick over to mid range, and full revs,on my kawasaki ... A: Bruce, sounds like a balancer problem. Check the balancer idler lever (Kawasaki part no. ... | |
| confusing spark problem. | 3/2/2008 |
| Q: i have a chinese (xingyue) 260cc quad bike.it is seven months old and basically a motorcycle engine ... A: Check the wire(s) that tells the ATV it is in forward or reverse. This switch does not let you rev ... | |
| 68 z50 ko | 3/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1968 z50 ko and I want to a c70 motor into it. The ko has no battery, the c70 has a ... A: Chuck, it depends alot on the year of the c70 engine as some had magnetic flywheels and some had ... | |
| Honda 1977 XL350 | 3/1/2008 |
| Q: I am rebuilding a 1977 xl350. I checked the timing on the motor it seems to be correct. I rebuilt it ... A: Justin, I hope you didn't turn those valve adjusters down too far? They could cause the valve to ... | |
| switching an all time fourwheel drive to a two wheel drive | 2/29/2008 |
| Q: is there any way possible to switch an all time four wheel drive 2003 Yamaha big bear 400 to two ... A: Dylan, Do you mean to change it permanently to 2WD? I haven't heard of anyone that has done this. I ... | |
| Honda xl125 won't start | 2/28/2008 |
| Q: I did get going by pouring some fuel in through the sparkplug hole and ran fine. When I go back 2 ... A: Ken, these bikes need a good battery to run and most have contact points under the left top engine ... | |
| trouble shooting for my kdx 200 | 2/27/2008 |
| Q: i had a look at it and found out it had no spark, I ending up getting the ignition coil rewound and ... A: Daniel, if you have a spark now it is most likely some other problem than the cdi. Try checking ... | |
| cb 750 seal | 2/26/2008 |
| Q: I have a 74 cb 750K, do I have to split the cases to replace the primary drive sproket seal? A: Bill, if you are careful you should be able to replace it from the outside. Drive a pointed object ... | |
| charging system 2002 honda shadow 1100 | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: with the battery cables unhooked, should the bike contune to run A: Bill, no, bikes are different than cars and I highly advise against running the bike with the ... | |
| RF400R | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: My Rf400r has a strange problem. The motor starts but when I kill it it won't start again. There ... A: Johann, I have learned that some of these bikes have a side stand relay. They also have a side ... | |
| 85 vt700c clutch problem | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: My bike had been sitting for a while when i bought it. I changed all fluids cleaned master and ... A: Josh, -if your clutch is working ok after you re-open the bleed screw it likely has a pressure ... | |
| motorcycle carburetors on 1977 550 4 | 2/5/2008 |
| Q: how do i pull the carbs off so i can clean them. there does not seen like theres alot of room to ... A: J, You will have to remove the gas tank, and the air box to get the carbs off. Turn the fuel ... | |
| Crankcase seal gone? | 2/4/2008 |
| Q: I have a old Suzuki TS185J 71 or 72 model which has been sitting in a shed for 15 years or so. It ... A: John, -it sounds reasonable that the seal is leaking on the crankshaft/crankcase. If you look here ... | |
| 2002 suzuki gsxr 1000 | 2/4/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2002 suzuki gsxr 1000 that like loses power when riding at high speed like it not getting ... A: David, problem could be due to various reasons. If it has not been run every few weeks the fuel ... | |
| Carburator Problem. | 2/3/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2005 CRF 50.I can't get it to idle properly.When I adjust the idle screw to get it to ... A: Scott, -I would either replace or use some sealant on the gasket between the engine cylinder and ... | |
| Carburator Problem. | 2/3/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2005 CRF 50.I can't get it to idle properly.When I adjust the idle screw to get it to ... A: Scott, check the cable. should have a bit of free play or slack to allow the carb slide to drop ... | |
| ZRX1200 top end noise | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: I was recently riding my 2002 ZRX1200 when I begin to hear an abnormal noise. I turned around to go ... A: Kyle, -First see if you can check the compression to see if any cylinders are low. It should ... | |
| carbs | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: We just clean the carbs on my 1982 yamaha 750 maxim and gave it a simple tune job. when we rev the ... A: Steven, -see if the throttle slides are free in the carbs. You can probably reach in the back of ... | |
| 1980 honda cb900 custom | 2/1/2008 |
| Q: I recently bought this bike from a member of my church. It had been sitting for approx. 3 years. I ... A: Rick, the small idle jets in the carbs may be plugged unless you cleaned them physically. After ... | |
| 1986 Suzuki GS550ES Motor | 2/1/2008 |
| Q: my 86's motor is blown, i need to know what year motors will interchange??? i have found one on ... A: Dan, to save yourself alot of work stick to engines made from about 1983-1986. Early engines have ... | |
| Oil pump question-74 Dt250 | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: I have a 74 Dt250. I have had trouble with it smoking lots of white smoke while under load. I've ... A: Matthew, the clearance you are trying to adjust is the minimum preset pump stroke. As soon as the ... | |
| Clutch Plates | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1997 CR125. I have had clutch issues for a while now. It just wont grab. All parts are to ... A: Chris, -I would go with the carbon fibre for longer life and daily use. -The kevlar plates are ... | |
| 1973 honda cb350g carbs | 1/30/2008 |
| Q: Ive got a honda 73 cb350g with some carburetor issues that I cant seem to shake. First she lost ... A: Nathan, -some of these carbs have small o-rings around the float valve seat, have you checked to ... | |
| 94 Suzuki Intruder Electrical Problem | 1/30/2008 |
| Q: I have never had any problems with my motorcycle until this winter when I wanted to do the ... A: Cliff, -try disconnecting the yellow/green wire from the starter relay only. -If it still blows ... | |
| starting problem when hot | 1/29/2008 |
| Q: if i leave it to cool it starts ok and run fine. A: Mike, -the fuel mixture could be a bit rich or lean, or it may be weak spark or low compression. ... | |
| Rejet carbs | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: 94 Honda Shadow VT1100 I was jetted for Kansas (elv. 3500 ft), Now I livve in Colorado at 7500', ... A: Mike, -the low speed fuel mixture is changed by adjusting the idle or pilot screw just above the ... | |
| clutch | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: Do you know if the 2001 Honda Shadow Sabre has what they call an integrated clutch? A: Jon, the clutch has similarities to a true integrated clutch design but it is a standard wet bath ... | |
| Honda nighthawk not firing on one cylinder | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1992 Honda 750 nighthawk that suddenly started running rough. Actually, it idles fine but ... A: Peter, -sometimes the vacuum line to the petcock can suck air or possibly fuel through pinholes in ... | |
| ENGINE KNOCK | 1/26/2008 |
| Q: MY SON-IN-LAW PURCHASED A 1997 SUZUKI 600 GSXR. OWNER WAS HONEST AND SAID THE ENGINE HAS A PROBLEM. ... A: Lou, -it could be a few things but sounds like it might be a bad connecting rod bearing. -Try ... | |
| spark plug | 1/26/2008 |
| Q: how do you change the spark plugs on a 85 honda shadow vt 1100 A: Matthew, -pull your spark plug wires off the plugs, -blow any debris around the plug away with ... | |
| startup problem... | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: my buddy has a problem starting up his new ninja. he got it last week. at the lady's place, it ... A: Andre, check for spark by sticking a new plug in the plug wires. If the plugs are black or wet it ... | |
| carb runs over | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: i took the tank off and cleaned it and removed the carbs and put them in carb cleaner to soak, they ... A: Roger, -Check the float bowl vents, make sure it has a clear vent. A plugged air vent in the carb ... | |
| Suzukie Boulevard C50 | 1/24/2008 |
| Q: I only have neutral and 2nd gear. I don't have the other 3 gears. How can I troubleshoot to find ... A: Allen, check your shift lever in case it is hitting on something. Then check your shifter linkage, ... | |
| 1990 ZX-7 Kawasaki | 1/24/2008 |
| Q: There is a ticking/ knocking comming from the engine!The bike has 27K miles and runs really ... A: Daniel, get a mechanic stethoscope or a long screwdriver, put in on your ear and listen at various ... | |
| starting problems | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: 1985 fxrt harley. new battery, solenoid and starter shaft installed. rebuilt starter. the starter ... A: Hugh, -it sounds like you have checked it out well, so I would suggest looking into the primary ... | |
| ex 500 1997 | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: how do I replace the Alternator A: Luis, -your alternator stator coil is under the cover on the left side of your engine. -you ... | |
| 1993 yamaha frz 600 | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: i just bought this bike and i dont understand that every time that i put it in gear the engine wants ... A: Streetrat, -there may be a couple reasons for this. -Is the side stand up? There is a switch on ... | |
| 1989 Suziki Katana | 1/21/2008 |
| Q: I have recently purchased a 1989 Katana 600. I had to replaced the gas tank w/all necessary ... A: Brian, the main jets sound a bit small unless you live in a high altitude. Does the dealer have ... | |
| starting problems | 1/20/2008 |
| Q: 1985 fxrt harley. new battery, solenoid and starter shaft installed. rebuilt starter. the starter ... A: Hugh, a couple of possibilities are: -some of the HD solenoids have dual coils, a pull-in coil and ... | |
| 1992 yamaha turbo seca | 1/20/2008 |
| Q: i have a new turbo ,the check valve is working properly,but it still smokes and drips oil out the ... A: Mark, Did you mean 1982? -Failure of the oil return line check valve causes this and can be fixed ... | |
| 1976 honda cb360t | 1/19/2008 |
| Q: hi for some reason i can not get the carbs off to clean them any suggestions? and also what is the ... A: Dustin, -if you have the clamps loose, it is probably just the rubber being stiff and dry that ... | |
| 85 atc carb | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: on the pilot screw in a 85 250es big red 3-wheeler, (I cannot make out the picture in my shop ... A: Larry, -first the spring goes on the pilot screw, then the washer and finally the o-ring. -Your ... | |
| 74 Yamaha Dt250- Electrical Questions | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: Boy it looks like you stay pretty busy answering people's questions. Well anyways, I have a 1974 ... A: Matt, I do put alot of time into finding answers that will help. -Your battery voltage sounds ... | |
| My 1994 Honda Shadow | 1/17/2008 |
| Q: I went out to warm my Honda Shadow VLX up this morning and everything was fine, but when I took the ... A: David, it sounds like a loose connection somewhere. -clean and tighten the battery cables and frame ... | |
| 1983 Honda CX 650 Custom that is hard to start | 1/17/2008 |
| Q: I have replaced the stator in my bike and now it is hard to start and runs very rough. After further ... A: Bryan, -check the compression and see if both cylinders are near the same PSI. If not, check the ... | |
| Synthetic versus regular Oil | 1/16/2008 |
| Q: Hey Wayne, I have a 99 1100cc , air cooled Yamaha Virago with about 40,000 kilometres. Is there an ... A: Mark, no huge advantage to synthetic and I am not sure if they contain friction modifiers that ... | |
| takin parts out of xr100 | 1/16/2008 |
| Q: i have a xr100 1999 and a cr125 1986 and it dont run but the xr100 does and i was wondering if i ... A: Cam, not to discourage you from trying new projects but these bikes have completely different ... | |
| 1983 Honda CX 650 Custom Stator replacement | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a 1983 Honda CX 650 Custom that had a bad stator. I replaced the stator and found a burn ... A: Bryan, this is a tough call because likely the burn mark is the result of a poor connection in the ... | |
| bagttery charging | 1/14/2008 |
| Q: A few questions regarding batteries/battery charging: 1. Where is the battery located on a 1987 ... A: Marc, 1.battery is under the right side cover. 2.you can access the positive terminal through the ... | |
| 1982 yz250 | 1/14/2008 |
| Q: every time that i start my bike up, it reves up like i am holding the throttle wide open then it ... A: Jimmy, -have you checked that the throttle cable is not sticking and see that the carb slide is ... | |
| Carbs | 1/13/2008 |
| Q: Have a 1983 cm450 hondamatic and wondering if 34mm mikuni carbs fit it...Thanx A: Rudy, -the Mikuni VM34mm can be fitted to most of the 350/450 Honda twins. -It still requires ... | |
| 87 Vulcan 750 | 1/13/2008 |
| Q: I just bought a Vulcan 750. I can hear a chain slapping inside the case... Can I take up on the ... A: Vic, the tensioners are automatic for the most part. Some places make aftermarket parts for manual ... | |
| float height | 1/12/2008 |
| Q: Hi what is the carbs float height to be set at on 1986 yamaha viraga xv1100s Thank you Perry A: Perry, -the float is set by checking the fuel level in the float bowl. -You connect a clear tube ... | |
| 1985 zx600 | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: i am hearing a noise coming from my transmission while the bike is idle , I've changed the clutch ... A: Steve, You will have to remove the engine and the clutch and shifter parts etc to split the bottom ... | |
| jetting and filters | 1/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1982 cb 750k and I have a ker ker 4 into 1 pipe and I was thinking about installing new ... A: Jim, -your bike will run quieter and better with a K&N HA-1079 original replacement filter. These ... | |
| Turn signal replacement | 1/10/2008 |
| Q: I smashed a rear turn signal on my '05 Suzuki S50 and have purchased a replacement. It appears that ... A: Terry, -the seat has 2 bolts at the front and two bolts on the sides further back. -You may have ... | |
| Firing order | 1/9/2008 |
| Q: Hey Wayne, I just bought an 85 Yamaha FZ 750 and the spark plug wires were pulled from the heads... ... A: Mike, most motorcycles use a waste spark system which means that the coil fires two plugs even ... | |
| 1985 zx600 | 1/8/2008 |
| Q: i am hearing a noise coming from my transmission while the bike is idle , I've changed the clutch ... A: Steve, did you use a new or used clutch basket? Sometimes the rivets are loose on the back. -When ... | |
| 2003 Yamaha V-Star 650 Turn Indicator | 1/8/2008 |
| Q: Recently, my running left running light burned out. The filament for the turn indicator was still ... A: Dayton, -the blue wire is your running lights. -the brown or "chocolate" wire is the left signal. ... | |
| honda cooling system | 1/7/2008 |
| Q: i have a honda shadow spirit 750.recently the heat indicator light came on briefly.the bike did not ... A: JP, -there is a thermostatic switch that turns the fan on between 180-216 F degrees and off again ... | |
| 83 yamaha virago | 1/7/2008 |
| Q: starter clutch clanks and grinds and wont turn the motor over been told it is a common problem but ... A: Logan, the virago starter fix is different depending on the year and model. -your 1983 starter ... | |
| pilot air screw settings | 1/6/2008 |
| Q: I have 1979 kawasaki kx250, my question is about the pilot air screw and how to set them and the ... A: Floyd, the settings are not that critical for the air screw. Start with it between 1.5 and 2 turns ... | |
| 1967 honda ct90 | 1/5/2008 |
| Q: have a 1967 Honda ct90 k1 model bike ran when purchased a couple weeks after purchase she just lost ... A: Brian, You didn't say if it was ignition or camshaft timing you needed so here are both: Camshaft ... | |
| 1974 Triumph T140 | 1/5/2008 |
| Q: Bought bike a week ago, goodshape (engine recently rebuilt) NO SPARK, any Ideas. Thanks Kenny ... A: Kenny, -does it run okay with a new plug? possibly it has been misfiring for awhile. Are you sure ... | |
| bypassing ignition on 1996 kawasaki 400 bayou atv | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: Lost key. Need to know how to bypass ignition A: Jenn, -connect the brown and white wires together on most models. -If it has more than 2 wires and ... | |
| 1986 Honda 350 TRX | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: I'm having trouble keeping the fuel pump working. ATV has a fuel cut relay. According to shop ... A: Glenn, -if you are not sure if the pump or the relay is faulty, try bypassing the relay by running ... | |
| 1997 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 1500 | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: I went for a short ride yesterday and I checked the oil before I left, The bike started running ... A: Lewis, -this generally means your engine is worn and the oily piston blowby gases are being ... | |
| 1974 Triumph T140 | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: Bought bike a week ago, goodshape (engine recently rebuilt) NO SPARK, any Ideas. Thanks Kenny A: Kenny, -the problem depends on what kind of ignition setup you have. If it has contact points that ... | |
| Clutch | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I am working on a 74KZ400 and the clutch does not release you can shift gears but while in a gear ... A: Nathan, -when bikes sit for that long the clutch often dries up and the clutch plates stick ... | |
| Head Gasket repair for 1987 Kawasaki Ninja 750 | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I recently picked up a ninja 750 free of charge, knowing that it has a bad head gasket. I was going ... A: Nick, these engines are not simple to repair, a shop manual is a necessity and will tell you the ... | |
| replacing choke cable on XR650L | 1/1/2008 |
| Q: I'd like to replace the broken choke cable on my 2006 XR650L. I've never taken a carb apart but I'm ... A: Saied, -the choke plunger is held in the carb by a fitting that just screws out, you may need a ... | |
| emission test | 1/1/2008 |
| Q: i have a 1981 virago and it failed emissions the hydrocarbons final reading is 2567 and its ... A: Mike, -the emissions will be affected by the general condition of the engine and the state of tune. ... | |
| 03 v-max ele.charging system problem | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: thaks for your time,i own a 03 yamaha v-max 1200 with a eletrical problem. at idle i'm getting ... A: Darrick, -it sounds like a bad connection. It may be a problem with the charging system components ... | |
| Carb Stumble, Honda trx 350 foreman 4x4 | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I have a stumble in my Mukuni carb on this quad, it stumbels just off acceleration, it has ... A: Ronald, -a few things to consider, have you tried draining the carbs in case of water in the fuel? ... | |
| starting | 12/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 yamaha seca 400 that has been sitting for about a year. It ran great before sitting ... A: Brian, -The starter systems vary a bit between different years and models of all bikes. -On your ... | |
| 1982 Kawasaki 440 LTD | 12/30/2007 |
| Q: How do I remove the carberators from this bike so they can be rebuilt? Also were can I find a new ... A: James, Finding parts is not my speciality, mainly technical repair questions. You can try ... | |
| blinkers | 12/29/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a 2004 Honda CB250 (in Australia but I believe that they have the same name in ... A: Dave, -if the left indicators are working, that means the system is basically okay, likely just a ... | |
| 76 honda cb 360 t carb | 12/28/2007 |
| Q: will any other make,model carb fit a 76 honda cb360ta A: Tim, Mikuni 32mm carbs can be fitted but require some minor fitting and would likely need to be ... | |
| 1972 cl175 exhaust removal and regulator testing | 12/28/2007 |
| Q: Two questions: First; I've been trying to remove the exhaust on my wifes 1972cl175 and can't seem ... A: Bill, the regulator has 3 wires, green(ground), black(fuse) and yellow, the yellow wire is the ... | |
| my bike booggs | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: i have a rm125 and when i first go to go off i crack on to it and its very boggy and clean the spark ... A: Joel, -have you checked the air filter? -also make sure it has good compression and you may want to ... | |
| Suzuki GS500E | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: hey man, my motorcycle is having trouble, since I bought it from a private seller. when i first got ... A: Rufus, it sounds like you may have a couple of problems going on, first one is the battery needs to ... | |
| 1978 Kawasaki, spark issues | 12/26/2007 |
| Q: Bike is a KM100, problem is when its cold it runs perfect wiht a big fat blue spark, but once run ... A: Adam, when the engine dies, is there no spark? -Double check your points are clean and the gap has ... | |
| Fuel Gage | 12/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a 84 Gl1200 Goldwing and the fuel gage dosent work. Check fuse ok. What would the next area ... A: James, -Some Goldwings had a 7 volt regulator that failed and caused the fuel and temperature ... | |
| Fuel Mixture for a 1976 tl 250 honda | 12/25/2007 |
| Q: What is the fuel mixture? A: JJ, if you are asking about the adjustment for air/fuel mixture on the carburetor, you just adjust ... | |
| 1983 honda cb550sc nighthawk | 12/24/2007 |
| Q: it had been siting for 2 years. im a marine mechanic but this thing has me stumped i had to repair ... A: Howard, -the vacuum line is there to open the petcock so the fuel flows. When the vacuum stops the ... | |
| My 1981 Suzuki GS 450 | 12/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Suzuki GS 450, and I have no idea where to plug the vacuum hose from the tank. I've ... A: Clint, -it should be on the right carb. Look near the front or where the carb goes into the rubber ... | |
| 1947 CHIEF BONNEVILLE FRONT SPRING R&R | 12/23/2007 |
| Q: HOW DO I SAFELY REMOVE THE FRONT GIRDER SPRINGS?? BIKE IS ON A STAND WITH SUSPENSION RELAXED AS FAR ... A: Chris, did you get the spring out? I was going to suggest a small spring compressor like they use ... | |
| kawasaki speedometer | 12/23/2007 |
| Q: while riding my 1994 Kawasaki Zephyr 550 last week the Speedometer dropped dead. No needle action, ... A: Adam, doesn't this model have a mechanical speedo cable? Have you checked the cable and the drive ... | |
| TS185J crankcase oil. | 12/23/2007 |
| Q: I have just inherated a TS185J Suzuki, (1972 or 73 I think), and have it almost ready to run. I need ... A: John, these bikes had a short reach spark plug and then later models had a longer plug thread. I ... | |
| 1945 Military Harley | 12/22/2007 |
| Q: I hope you still take questions. I have found a 1945 military Harley. It sounds like it's barn ... A: Russ, buying one of these will not be like owning a newer bike of any make/model. These are mainly ... | |
| rear parking lights | 12/22/2007 |
| Q: i have an '01 honda cbr 600f4i and the rear blinker lights work when using turn signals but they do ... A: Gary, -that's is the way they are made to work, Honda only puts running lights on the front. The ... | |
| question on 4 wheeler | 12/21/2007 |
| Q: my son has a 2000 honda 400ex, it runs great but the exhaust overheats after running only a few ... A: Debi, some bikes do run quite hot these days but check the spark plug color and if it is very light ... | |
| brakes locking up | 12/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1988 gl1500 with a motor trike kit installed. And lately I have had first, my rear left ... A: Joe, -this is almost certainly the master cylinder relief hole plugged. It lets the fluid flow back ... | |
| My battery won't stay charged | 12/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 kawasaki CSR 650 I got from my brother in law, i got a new battery for it and rode it ... A: Josh, motorcycles have a charging system that should put out about 13-14 volts DC at your battery ... | |
| lt80 suzuki | 12/20/2007 |
| Q: my sons lt80 suzuki 4wheeler feels like the auto trans. is slipping. i changed the oil in the trans. ... A: John, -you didn't mention what year it is but most of these bikes have a drive belt that could be ... | |
| fast idle when warm | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 honda 900f.When bike is cold it idles at 1200 rpm ,when engine warms up and after a ... A: Dave, -if the plugs are black it indicates an overly rich fuel mixture or lack of air. -I suspect ... | |
| Removing Air Cleaner Holder | 12/18/2007 |
| Q: Wayne : I Have A 1969 CL125a Honda. I have read all the books i have on this motorcycle and none of ... A: Steven, -these rubber tubes get hard over time and it makes them tough to work with. -There might ... | |
| Smoking Yamaha TW200 | 12/18/2007 |
| Q: I purchased a 1992 Yamaha TW200 approximately 3 months ago with approximately 2000 miles on it. ... A: Joe, -the bike is hardly broke in at 2000 miles. -White smoke is usually just water vapor burning ... | |
| Front fork scratch removal | 12/17/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a '95 Honda Shadow VLX, and the upper portion of both front forks have a lot of ... A: Dave, the forks usually need to be replaced unless the scratches are very minor. The forks have ... | |
| 1975 ct90 | 12/17/2007 |
| Q: i would like to know the point setting on my ct 90 thanks A: Jeff, -the points are set at about .014" but also important is that they just break open when your ... | |
| I think my 85 honda has a stuck thermostat | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: I warm my bike up in the garage for 10 to 15 mins and ride 10 miiles on surface streets. Its about ... A: Dustin, it isn't worth trying to fix a thermostat, they don't cost that much. Same with the rad ... | |
| I think my 85 honda has a stuck thermostat | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: I warm my bike up in the garage for 10 to 15 mins and ride 10 miiles on surface streets. Its about ... A: Dustin, as the bike warms up the coolant expands, that's why they have the reserve/overflow tank. ... | |
| honda gl1100 aspencade 1987? | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a used bike and the previous owner said that the starter did not work. I have ... A: if necessary the chain has to be replaced as there is no adjuster. Some slack is normal. What is ... | |
| Yamaha Royal Star Clutch Master/Slave Fluid use | 12/15/2007 |
| Q: have a 1997 Yamaha Royal Star, not the Tour model. My question is: iam losing brake fluid from my ... A: Brian, it must be leaking out of the slave or push cylinder. You may be able to buy a seal kit to ... | |
| im having trouble with my dirtbike | 12/14/2007 |
| Q: alright, my dad bought me a Suzuki RM 80 for my birthday, but he bought it used and it ran fine for ... A: Frank, were you premixing gas and two stroke oil in this bike or does it have a separate oil tank? ... | |
| engine | 12/13/2007 |
| Q: i was wondering if you could tell me if i would be able to put a 2000 katana 600 engine into my 88 ... A: Ryan, -it looks like the basic engine design hasn't changed much on the outside, I think it may ... | |
| deacceleration pop | 12/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 suzuki marauder 800. The bike has pop noise on release of throttle, could this be ... A: Todd, If your pipes or air cleaner are not stock you may need bigger carb jets installed. -on the ... | |
| 2002 Yamaha v star 650 | 12/13/2007 |
| Q: What is the oil capacity on a 2002 Yamaha v star 650? A: Kenneth, -It's 3 us quarts with filter change. I suggest adding 2 quarts and then run the engine ... | |
| Yamaha V-Star 1100 | 12/12/2007 |
| Q: Motorcycle sat 6 months, went to start it and it is firing only on on rear cylinder. A: Terry, -after sitting it is almost always gas varnish plugging up carbs jets or fuel supply. ... | |
| relocation of indicators | 12/12/2007 |
| Q: I want to fit saddlebags to my virago 535 but have to move my indicators.Is this a hard job as I am ... A: Lynda, the turn signals or indicators are each held on with one 12mm? nut. Use a wrench on these. ... | |
| Lower Triple/Underbracket Bearing removal | 12/12/2007 |
| Q: 1985 Yamaha TY 350. How do I get the lower bearing/race off of the lower tripleclamp/underbracket? I ... A: Kent, http://www.northover.com/Bike/Chapter4-13SteeringHead.jpg -it has two tapered roller ... | |
| 1999 YZF 600-R6 Yamaha | 12/11/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I recently replaced the clutches in the bike and changed the oil and filter. The bike sat for ... A: Andy, -is it just your oil level light that is on? -Probably the oil level switch just got sticky ... | |
| 1985 kawasaki zx6 | 12/11/2007 |
| Q: The bike is making a rattling noise while the bike is in neutral. Ive changed the clutch friction ... A: Steven, -get a piece of rubber hose and put one end on the engine and the other on your ear. -See ... | |
| Clutch | 12/11/2007 |
| Q: Will a clutch cable from a 1982 xj750 seca fit an xj750j Maxim year 1982? Any tips on installation? ... A: Shane, the cable is likely very similar, the only problem might be the length depending on the ... | |
| 1980 yamaha rd400 | 12/10/2007 |
| Q: the engine sounds great at idle,when running through the gears sometimes the engine revs high but ... A: Ryan, sounds like the clutch is slipping, check the adjustment, give the cable some slack. It might ... | |
| help with a vf 750 f V-four 1983 | 12/10/2007 |
| Q: Hey, i recently bought a honda vf 750 1983 sport, when i bought it the carbs were off the bike but i ... A: Lee, -How is the compression on the cylinders? Should be 150 psi or higher. -When starting it's not ... | |
| Dead cylinder #4 follow-up | 12/9/2007 |
| Q: I really hope you remember my questions a week, or so, about a cold cylinder on my 1980 GS750. You ... A: Brad, I think at this point you will have to start checking your carbs and ignition from the ... | |
| '83 shadow - running lights good, no turns | 12/9/2007 |
| Q: just replaced a bad ignition switch on an '83 shadow 750. ignition works fine, running lights are ... A: K, -you can check for power on the orange wire for left signal and light blue wire for the right ... | |
| 1983 suzuki dr100 | 12/8/2007 |
| Q: i have a dr100 and i am not getting any spark .how can i check if the coil in the flywheel is ... A: Gus, -the exciter coil can be checked with a multimeter set on "AC" voltage. -Just unplug the wire ... | |
| carburetor starting problem | 12/8/2007 |
| Q: i know almost everything about my carb (1986 kawasaki ninja 1000r) i have rebuilt it from the float ... A: Nick, When you pull your "choke" or start plungers out they open a passage for air/fuel. When you ... | |
| Honda Goldwing Aspencade 1984 | 12/8/2007 |
| Q: Hey Wayne I have a 1200 GL - I have replaced the clutch pack and slave cylinder. I bled the clutch ... A: Mike, there are a few things that could be the problem. -sometimes the fluid can become permeated ... | |
| 1976 Honda CB200T-no spark problem | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: I hope you can give me some ideas. I have a 1976 Honda CB200T and I had an extra engine from an Ebay ... A: Tony, -a black 12v power wire goes from the ignition switch to the handlebar run/stop switch. ... | |
| Honda elite 150 | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: We bent the intake valve on our scooter and don't know why. On start up it started clicking and then ... A: Greg, -possible causes for bent valve are over-revving the engine which does not give the valve ... | |
| 1985 honda xl350r wont run | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: while riding the engine quit like turning off a light switch. checked fuses , fuel pump to carb. ... A: Robert, -have you checked the run/stop switch? -Make sure you have over 130 psi compression. -Check ... | |
| 1991 Kawasaki EX 500 | 12/6/2007 |
| Q: could you please tell me what i need to do. A: Matthew, -start checking the fuel system. Add fresh gas, check the fuel valve or petcock. Check ... | |
| 1989 Yamaha XT 350 | 12/6/2007 |
| Q: I have this Yamaha with a four stroke motor,the bike only has three hundred miles on it. The engine ... A: Christopher, -all air cooled engines get hot when sitting still, adding an oil cooler would do very ... | |
| 1997 Suzuki Bandit 600 S not starting | 12/6/2007 |
| Q: I just acquired a 1997 Suzuki Bandit 600 S. The guy I got it from let it sit for a few months and ... A: Wesley, most likely not getting fuel, pull a spark plug wire off, stick a plug in it and see if it ... | |
| Not running right after Air Filter Change... | 12/5/2007 |
| Q: We put a aftermarket round air filter on my wifes '85 Honda Rebel. Took off air box for cleaner ... A: Jason, -when you change only the air filter the most you need to do is go up one size on the idle, ... | |
| Smoke! | 12/5/2007 |
| Q: I recently got my 72 yamaha xs650 out of storage and after I replaced the spark plugs, one tail pipe ... A: William, -the pipe may have water condensed in it that is burning off. -once you have run it a bit ... | |
| float bowl leak | 12/5/2007 |
| Q: i have a '81 honda ct70 that runs good with choke fully on but when choke is off it the rpm's wont ... A: Gary, -it sounds like you may have a plugged idle or main jet or main jet tube. -If so the carb ... | |
| cooling system on a 1986 suzuki intruder vs700 | 12/4/2007 |
| Q: ineed to know the proper proceedure for refilling the cooling system on a 1986 suzuki intruder vs700 A: Keith, -loosen the air bleeder bolt on the left upper frame rail. -fill the cooling system slowly ... | |
| GS 400 | 12/4/2007 |
| Q: Hey I asked a question about a week ago on a 1978 Suzuki GS400 engine. It was about the ... A: Kyle, -you have to plug any open vacuum lines or the engine will suck air and lean out the fuel ... | |
| 1973 cb 350 four backfires | 12/4/2007 |
| Q: Bike starts right up ! Backfires when at idle,When I give throttle gas it stops backfiring but when ... A: Chuck, -you have to check the condition of the contact points. They need to be shiny clean and ... | |
| 1998 Honda Shadow ACE bogging under a load | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: My friend has a 98 Honda shadow ace 750... in neutral the bike will free rev fine (All the way to ... A: Robert, Try usual tune up stuff first, plugs, air filter, fuel filter. If it was running okay up ... | |
| 1996 z 440 | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Arctic cat z 440 fan cooled snowmobile. I have been having lots of trouble with it. ... A: Darby, -if you have TSS it will be a little plug under the console where the key is. -It has 3 ... | |
| 1996 z 440 | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 Arctic cat z 440 fan cooled snowmobile. I have been having lots of trouble with it. ... A: Darby, Bogging can be an over rich condition or a lean condition or one cylinder cutting out due to ... | |
| bike won't start!! | 12/2/2007 |
| Q: i have recently bought a 1978 z650 in good condition apart from needing a good tune. The battery was ... A: Richard, -you need a fully charged good battery in there to get spark even with kick-starting. ... | |
| Yamaha Enduro | 12/2/2007 |
| Q: I recently got a bike with no paperwork. it is a 70's vintage Yamaha enduro(?) (either 125 or 175?) ... A: Joe, -the DT models were 250cc until 1974 when they used "DT" on 125 and 175 etc. -Up until then ... | |
| cylinder bores | 12/2/2007 |
| Q: i have a 05 HD softail fxst,iam haveing the stock barrels bored to 3.875 (95ci)and using wiseco ... A: Ken, -the problem is not the thin walls, it is the quality of the bore job that is important. ... | |
| 1975 Yamaha DT400B. Runs rough! | 12/1/2007 |
| Q: I am 99% finished (in conjunction with a small motorcycle repair shop) restoring a 1975 DT400B. ... A: Mark, -have you checked the plug color after a run? Is it black? Is the air filter oily or fairly ... | |
| xr100 | 12/1/2007 |
| Q: hello i own a 2000 xr 100 i was riding in the rain and then it stalled i tried to start it back up ... A: David, I would first try to dry out the kill switch, ignition coil, spark plug wire and cap. Make ... | |
| 1965 kawasaki j1t | 11/30/2007 |
| Q: I read that you own a j1t. Do you have any parts sources for this bike. I am located in Louisville, ... A: Ramon, one of my first bikes was a 1967 Kawasaki J1T 85cc (81.5) I don't have it anymore but it was ... | |
| 74 Yamaha Dt250- Wiring issue | 11/30/2007 |
| Q: Hey there. I am having a problem with the electrical system on my bike. Whenever I put a good, ... A: Matt, have you checked the fuse and battery ground and cables? -make sure the bulbs are good in ... | |
| 1980 GS750 with a dead cylinder | 11/29/2007 |
| Q: I am so glad to be able to follow up with you about my dead #4 cylinder. I appreciated your advice ... A: Brad, -it is possible the head gasket blew, depends where the smoke came from exactly. If it came ... | |
| 79 Honda CB75oK | 11/29/2007 |
| Q: Hey...Got a clutch rattle noise goin on.. i'm told thats normal with this old bike..the bike ... A: Dave, the clutch rattle may be the friction disks. They rattle because of the gap between them and ... | |
| 1978 Suzuki GS400X | 11/29/2007 |
| Q: Hey, I have taken the engine out of this bike, and now am installing it on a go kart. Everything is ... A: Kyle, -hoses near the top right of carbs are vacuum ports to open the gas tank petcock or for using ... | |
| starting issues | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: i bought a '84 mint nighthawk s with 12000 mi. in july from california. i live in ohio. since the ... A: Michael, -sounds like it may be flooded, was the choke on? -You may have to dry the spark plugs ... | |
| 1980 GS750 with a dead cylinder | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: I am so glad to be able to follow up with you about my dead #4 cylinder. I appreciated your advice ... A: Brad, I suspect your engine may have a burnt valve or piston possibly. It may have burnt an exhaust ... | |
| 94 PC800 (honda) | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: I found a great deal on a '94 Pacific Coast. Owner claims there is a small oil leak. Do I need to ... A: Burton, -depends where the leak is, if it is just cam plugs it might be reasonable to repair. If it ... | |
| EX-500 Running Issues | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a '97 Kawasaki EX500 (California Edition, twin inline cylinder cv carb w/ choke start) that I ... A: Luke, I suggest checking if both cylinders are getting a good spark. If it looks okay, check the ... | |
| Suzuki Boulevard C-50 2006 | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: This fuel injected 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C-50 intermittently surges and bucks at low throttle ... A: Steve, it is odd that no error codes show but maybe the problem is come and go. -I personally ... | |
| dead cylinder and backfiring | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: Hey Wayne, I'm very confused about a problem with my vintage 1980 GS750 and hope you can help. When ... A: Brad, -is the choke or enrichener plunger worn and the brass pickup tube okay in the carb? -When ... | |
| Yamaha Virago 250 | 11/26/2007 |
| Q: Yamaha 250 Virago. I have oil coming out through the air filter. Also Battery is always going flat ... A: Eddie, -Has the battery been tested as good? If so, it may be a bad stator on the engine or a ... | |
| gas tank dent | 11/26/2007 |
| Q: Wayne my name is Allan I have a kawasaki fuel tank with a small dent in it, I have tryed compressed ... A: Allan, there are paintless dent removal shops available around the country. If you are looking to ... | |
| Honda SL100 Rotor Pullet | 11/26/2007 |
| Q: Sir, Do you know of anyone who makes a tool similar enough to the "Dynamo Rotor Puller Tool# ... A: Sam, The puller is really just a bolt that screws into the rotor center and when it's tight you rap ... | |
| no fire to the plug | 11/25/2007 |
| Q: I have recently restored a mini trail 50 that my neighbor gave to my son..the problem I'm having is ... A: David, -I believe the switch just grounds the ignition to kill the engine. It should have spark ... | |
| timing | 11/25/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1960 triumph .the entire ignition n magneto are built together , i have had it rebuilt but ... A: George, -Triumph magnetos are usually set fully advanced or the advance cable or weights moved into ... | |
| Suzuki Boulevard C-50 2006 | 11/25/2007 |
| Q: This fuel injected 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C-50 intermittently surges and bucks at low throttle ... A: Steve, the fuel injection is amazing but a much more complicated fuel system electronically. -It ... | |
| 79 CB 750 WITH 6000 MILES | 11/24/2007 |
| Q: MY CB 750 SEEMS TO RUN A LITTLE LEAN.ALWAYS RUNS BETTER WHEN THE CHOKE IS A LIITLE APPLIED.TO CHECK ... A: Mike, hondas seem to need a warm up to run well. Try starting with the screws a couple of turns ... | |
| 1500 Honda gold wing | 11/24/2007 |
| Q: I was riding my 1998 Honda Gold Wing SE and as I was stoped at a traffic light, as soon as the light ... A: Richard, -it sounds like you have a bad ground or connection on the battery or frame grounds. ... | |
| Tune up | 11/24/2007 |
| Q: Got a 1982 Honda 250 CM Custom (16700 miles) from my father in law. Good new battery but he/I can ... A: Bernard, -have you tried a new spark plug and/or checked that it has spark? Make sure you have the ... | |
| 81 honda cb750 carbs | 11/23/2007 |
| Q: and thanks in advance. I have an 81 honda. Bike runs great but just iwll not idle. Carbs are very ... A: Jason, -Have you checked around the carb mounting point for air leaks? could be a cracked rubber or ... | |
| yamaha fz750 carburetor | 11/23/2007 |
| Q: I live in the Caribbean and i have an fz750. The carburetor is no good and i need a replacement, the ... A: Darryl, it is difficult to fit most other carbs in as they need some modification, jetting etc. ... | |
| Goldwing motor noise | 11/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1985 Goldwing 1200 aspencade. it has 72,000km. It runs great and uses no oil. After the ... A: Ken, -tapping noise on 1200's It is usually related to the valve train. Sometimes it is the ... | |
| ZXR250 valve clearance adjustment | 11/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a question regarding valve clearance on a ZXR250 On the manual it is stated that it's ... A: Oc, It is always better to have things set on the factory recommended settings. I don't think you ... | |
| Yamaha1100 transmission? noise | 11/22/2007 |
| Q: 2003 v twin new to me. Hear random sharp banging, rattling almost like pinging but louder (Premium ... A: Jim, -without being able to hear it my best guess is the AIS system noise. -A.I.S. (Air Induction ... | |
| 450 Nighthawk | 11/21/2007 |
| Q: How do I remove the helmet lock from the bike? It opens but I have to lock it in place by sliding ... A: Andy, -to remove the lock you may need either an impact driver or drill to get the bolts off. ... | |
| ZXR250 valve clearance adjustment | 11/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a question regarding valve clearance on a ZXR250 On the manual it is stated that it's ... A: Oc, Smaller engines can live with less clearance. Around .06 mm is small but some smaller bikes run ... | |
| yamaha starter button | 11/21/2007 |
| Q: my starter button on my 81 850xs fell out and i lost it. what can i replace it with? thanks , al A: Al, the button from most Yamahas around that year may fit, if you mean the whole switch it may be ... | |
| Electrical Problems ZZR1100 | 11/20/2007 |
| Q: I have Electrial problems with a Kawasaki ZZR1100 1990 C model. My spark plugs seem to carbonize ... A: Ken, -I would suggest switching the coils, testing the leads and caps. Make sure coils are not too ... | |
| 72 Z50 | 11/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a 72 Z50 that I cant get a spark out of. I thought I had the problem isolated to the primary ... A: Kent, -I believe the switch just grounds the ignition to kill the engine. It should have spark with ... | |
| gettin to the battery | 11/20/2007 |
| Q: HEy man I got a dumb but crucial question. I got a 1997 Ninja 900R. Im trying to get to the battery ... A: Joe, -first remove the rear seat as you said, it is held by the key lock. Turn the key ... | |
| IT 490 | 11/19/2007 |
| Q: WHEN I RIDE FOR 30 MINUTES MY BIKE STOPS AND THE PLUG IS FOULED UP. I PUT A NEW PLUG IN AND IT GOES ... A: Mike, The 490 is a beast and most of them do foul plugs occasionally. The problem seems to be in ... | |
| 73 CB350F carbs | 11/19/2007 |
| Q: I removed carbs to install rebuild kits. The bike ran ok before but was a bit soggy on bottom end. I ... A: Clay, sounds like too much fuel or not enough air. -Are the slides in right? I don't remember if ... | |
| carbs | 11/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Kawasaki 750 ltd i believe it to be a kz, the carbs are missing and i am trying to ... A: Tom, -as a replacement for the Keihin CV34's pick up some Mikuni BS34 carbs in a set of 4. -They ... | |
| 1983 vx500 no spark | 11/18/2007 |
| Q: i dont think it has any spark? do you know where i can get a wire digram at Cheers Bob A: Bob, try this: http://wsamel.fortunecity.com/xv500k-virago-ignition-wiring.jpg Could be a fuse, ... | |
| KAWASAKI NINJA ZXR6 | 11/18/2007 |
| Q: I BOUGHT THIS BIKE 5 DAYS AGO BUT CAN`T RIDE IT B/COS EVERYTIME I SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE STALLS. THE ... A: Ola, if the bike is running ok at higher speeds then it could be the idle jets are plugged in the ... | |
| Suzuki Boulevard C-50 2006 | 11/18/2007 |
| Q: This fuel injected 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C-50 intermittently surges and bucks at low throttle ... A: Steve, this is most likely due to a lean fuel mixture. Newer fuel injected bikes seem to be set ... | |
| No response from starter button | 11/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2003 Suzuki Intruder 800 that has been running perfectly until a few days ago when I went ... A: Carrie, There are a few things in the starter circuit to check. -The starter solenoid switch is ... | |
| Exhaust gas temp on 2000 SV 650 | 11/17/2007 |
| Q: Howdy, my son's got a 2000 SV 650 and I'm messing with the carbs. Being a full time car mechanic ... A: Scotty, not sure how your scanner reads but temp near the engine is usually about 800F at idle and ... | |
| TIMING | 11/17/2007 |
| Q: I AM REBUILDING MY 1999 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 600,I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO SET THE TIMING. THANKS A: Tony, is it the valve timing you are looking for? If so align the "I" mark on your rotor with the ... | |
| bolt pattern | 11/17/2007 |
| Q: I need to know what the bolt pattern for the primary case is on my 1984 harley davidson fxst. where ... A: Don, the longest bolts go near the rear and then work your way forward. Best way is to drop the ... | |
| Honda Hornet 600 problem | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: I would be very grateful if you could help me with something. I recently bought a Honda Hornet ... A: David, most likely one these in this order: the side stand switch is faulty or corroded.(most ... | |
| yamaha xt 500 gearbox | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: Ihave a xt500 rebuilt sorted everything carb idle everything, when tried to connect the gear lever ... A: Wilhelm, if I understand you correctly, the shift shaft moved inward and now it won't shift? I ... | |
| wet electrical | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: Danee, I bought a new 125cc motorcycle from www.pocketbikesunlimited.com it has 0 miles on it. Its ... A: Anthony, check your fuses in case the starter uses one somewhere. Check for any loose wires or ... | |
| carb | 11/15/2007 |
| Q: hey its Cameron again well i clean out the Carib but now when i turn the fuel on it just runs ... A: Cameron, try tapping on the float bowl with a screwdriver handle. If it doesn't stop leaking you ... | |
| 1980 xl125 smokin like a train | 11/15/2007 |
| Q: hey i got a 1980 xl125 that has new rings but is still smokin like a 2 stroke any ideas A: Josh, -were the rings done recently and do you know if the cylinder was worn badly or properly ... | |
| timing chain | 11/15/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1981 cm 400e how do you adjust the tension on the timing chain tensioner A: Jon, there is usually 1 locknut on the rear of the cylinders between and below the carbs. -You let ... | |
| 1986 honda xl600r | 11/14/2007 |
| Q: I have an 1986 honda xl600r and i need to order a repair manual but until then what is the best oil ... A: Eric, I think a 10W40 motorcycle oil would be the best unless you live where the weather is quite ... | |
| honda gl1200 carb rebuild | 11/14/2007 |
| Q: I need to rebuild the carbs on my 1986 honda GL1200A but looking through the catalogs I see ... A: Ed, No, the carbs are a bit different. the 84/85 models used a 32mm carb and the 86/87 models had a ... | |
| Goldwing's Compair | 11/14/2007 |
| Q: I bought Two goldwings one 76-1000 ; one 80- gl-1100 both bikes about same condition; mechanical and ... A: John, -the later Goldwings were slightly detuned in an attempt to get more low speed power, it ... | |
| motorcycle suddenly has a top speed of less than 40mph!! | 11/13/2007 |
| Q: My 1979 yamaha xs 400 was running okay (not great, but passable) for a while. I got a flat one day ... A: Thesoorae, have you checked if the wheel is turning okay after you changed the tire? Are the brakes ... | |
| kx 100 clunking | 11/13/2007 |
| Q: hey um i have a kx 100 and when i ride it i here a clunking noise would that be my bottom end goin ... A: Derek, I need more info about the clunk, it could be many things. A bottom end noise would be more ... | |
| gas gauge | 11/13/2007 |
| Q: I own a 1997 Honda Goldwing. The fuel gauge reads 3/4 to full all the time. Gauge will drop to ... A: Rodger, -Some older Goldwings had a 7 volt regulator that failed and caused the fuel and ... | |
| 2003 Honda 1300s vtx.. back firing | 11/13/2007 |
| Q: I replaced the rings, valves, and gaskets. But didn't check the timing marks when I did it. ... A: David, when the camshaft lobes are facing down, the mark on the cam gear should point up. This is ... | |
| Honda VT250 Magna fork oil | 11/13/2007 |
| Q: I'm rebuilding the front forks on a 250 Honda Magna, circa 1995. Can you please tell me the correct ... A: Christopher, an ounce or two will not hurt anything, it may be slightly stiffer or be less likely ... | |
| No low end power on '79 Honda cb650 | 11/12/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a honda cb650 and it starts up and runs ok after about 10 minutes of warming up. The ... A: Jonathan, -these bikes tend to have some bogging but usually not that severe. -Has the bike been ... | |
| Hardtail....... | 11/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 cm400c,and i'm wanting to hardtail the frame,any suggestions on what type of frame ... A: Rudy, generally the tubing to use is called "DOM" or drawn-over-mandrel cold drawn steel. The cold ... | |
| 1977 honda z50 | 11/11/2007 |
| Q: The bike runs;I can push start it, but it wont kick start. I read on the internet of parts for this ... A: Andrew, these bikes didn't have batteries, what happens when you kickstart? Does it slip? -If it ... | |
| 1994 Suzuki intruder electrical problems | 11/11/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1994 Suzuki intruder 800. I have been having an electrical problem. When I go to start the ... A: Forest, it sounds like your circuit breaker is faulty. -A red wire goes to it on one side, that is ... | |
| 1984 Goldwing Interstate front fork springs | 11/11/2007 |
| Q: where to start looking for front fork springs. recently took into a salvage yard to repair clunking ... A: Jon, -the parts seem to be listed here: ... | |
| Set Timing | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: How do you set the timing for a 1989 Honda CBR 600F? A: Donta, Do you mean ignition timing? It is not really adjustable but there is a cover on the right ... | |
| honda magna | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: When I first got the bike everything was great. A month after I stopped and started it about 5 ... A: Mark, -most bikes do not charge when idling or even at low speeds. If your battery is a little weak ... | |
| 98 xr400 | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: i just got this bike and it is back firing. it was dogging out when i first gave it gas, i had the ... A: Shayne, -usually backfiring is caused by a lean fuel mixture. That means your idle or slow jet is ... | |
| Problem with starter solenoid? | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: I've got a 1988 Honda Bros, moght have a different name in the states. Its pretty much the same as ... A: David, if the fuse you are referring to is the main fuse (30 amp) it could be many things. -A poor ... | |
| 34mm mikuni carbs? | 11/9/2007 |
| Q: Hey there?,I have a 1981 cm400c honda bike and wodering if 34mm Mikuni carbs will fit it? Thanx, ... A: Rudy, the Mikuni VM round slide type carbs can be fitted, but 34mm are a bit large for this bike. ... | |
| Yamaha 1100 shifter . | 11/9/2007 |
| Q: Have a yamaha 1100 xs that doesn't always seem to go into 2nd gear correctly . Sometimes it just ... A: Dick, -Second gear has 3 little dogs that wear out and they don't engage very far. I believe you ... | |
| Sukuki Marauder VZ800 | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 Suzuki Marauder 805cc, Can I shave the cylinder heads to increase compression? If so, ... A: Jay, Shaving heads only increases power 4-5%. The reason for this is called volumetric efficiency. ... | |
| Hi idle problem | 11/8/2007 |
| Q: I HAVE A 1993 YAMAHA 1300 VENTURE V-4 WHEN YOU GIVE IT THROTTLE and turn it back down,IT IDLES BACK ... A: Mike, if you are sure the linkages are okay and no vacuum leaks, then it may be your stuck in full ... | |
| valves | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: do you know what the valves are to be set at on a 82-86 yamaha moto 4 225 A: Jacob, set them all at .004" inch or .1016 mm. Make sure the engine is on the compression stroke. ... | |
| 1982 honda cb650 nighthawk | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: i own a old cb650 nighthawk and i am in need of some expertise. the bearing assembley that the ... A: Charles, I have not heard of any kickstart conversion for these bikes, and the other bad news is ... | |
| yamaha dt 175 1978 | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: its me again one more ???.. I recently change out both crank case seals right and left and the ... A: Wayne, -are you using the yamalube injection system or premixing your gas/oil? The cable can be ... | |
| rf900r lacks power | 11/6/2007 |
| Q: i just bought a 1994 suzuki rf900r that had been sitting for several years. i can usually figure out ... A: Dana, -are all the pipes warming up the same? -Is it running on all the cylinders? Check the plug ... | |
| have to hold down starter for while on '82 Nighthawk | 11/6/2007 |
| Q: My '82 Honda CB650SC always had trouble starting in the cold, but more recently even in mild weather ... A: Joey, It sounds like it's lacking fuel for some reason. Check for a good fuel flow from the tank. ... | |
| viargo | 11/5/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1985 viargo wtih 22 thousand miles on it has a 699cc engine and to start the battery doesnt ... A: Brandon, I suggest a compression check, it should have about 130-160 psi on each cylinder to run ... | |
| clutch push rod adjustment | 11/5/2007 |
| Q: how far in do you adjust the screw with lock nut on the top of the clutch plate on a 1978 Yamaha 175 ... A: -Float level should allow the bowl to be fairly full but first thing is make sure you have a good ... | |
| honda z50 | 11/4/2007 |
| Q: I was given a Honda z50A with the rear shock frame. I eliminated all the wiring except the black ... A: Butch, have you checked if any power is coming from the magneto coil to the ignition coil? It ... | |
| 1982 yamaha virago 750 | 11/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 yamaha virago 750 that i just bought, i changed out the handlebars to 28" drag bars. ... A: Jason, other than making sure the battery cables are tight, connector on the ignition module is ... | |
| clutch push rod adjustment | 11/4/2007 |
| Q: how far in do you adjust the screw with lock nut on the top of the clutch plate on a 1978 Yamaha 175 ... A: Wayne, Give the clutch cable some slack. loosen the clutch locknut, turn the screw anti-clockwise ... | |
| pw-50 | 11/3/2007 |
| Q: my son has a 1999 yahama pw-50 i just had to change the upper throttle cable, everything looked fine ... A: Nathan, the pw50 start/run button is designed to prevent revving in the start position. As soon as ... | |
| High fuel consumption | 11/3/2007 |
| Q: I am owner of pulsar dts-i 220cc bike from bajaj but i suffer from a problem of engine oil ... A: Prathamesh, in your subject you say high fuel consumption, is it that or is oil consumption the ... | |
| suzuki 2000 marauder 800 wiring diagram | 11/3/2007 |
| Q: I am a bike shop owner who has the above bike with a wiring problem but I need a wiring diagram and ... A: Mac, a few things might work, one is to wire some 50-100 ohm resistors into each light. Second ... | |
| engine dies when tank is half empty | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1986 Honda Shadow VT500. I have no problems until I reach about the halfway mark in the ... A: Jon, sounds a bit like a vapor lock in the tank or fuel lines. There are a few other possibilities ... | |
| L.E.D. Conversion | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: E.D. turnsignals to replace my stock ones up front. When I installed the turnsignals they wouldnt ... A: Jeremy, a few things might work, one is to wire some 50-100 ohm resistors into each light. Second ... | |
| float adjustment | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: do you know the float adjustment for 1981 yamaha 550 with makuni carbs. Ive replaced needle and ... A: Steve, the float level is checked by the height of the fuel in the float bowl using a tube attached ... | |
| 1994 yamaha virago 750 | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: The spark plugs on my 1994 yamaha virago 750 keep filing out. I have rebuilt the carbs . Made sure I ... A: Gary, is this oil fouling or fuel fouling? If it's oil the engine may need a rebuild. If it's fuel, ... | |
| Piaggio Zip 50cc | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: i purchased a 2001 piaggio zip 50cc about two months ago. it worked completely perfect untill a ... A: Max, check the color of your spark plug it will tell you if the fuel mixture is too much fuel ... | |
| Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: I have an '04 Shadow Spirit 1100 with 4600 miles on it. It does not get ridden as much as it ... A: Steve, sounds like the idle circuits are plugged. They may clear up with some riding or may need to ... | |
| DWELL-TACH-POINTS | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: can i use my DWELL-TACH-POINTS meter to test my battery. the battery is new but the charging sys ... A: Vic, you need a volt meter and I don't know if your Dwell meter has that ability. Some older ones ... | |
| Carb pushing fuel out of puke tube & air filter | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: ,I need your expertise..I own a 1985Honda Rebel 250..The bike was outside for several years..Ive ... A: Jeannie, there are a few possibilities for this fuel leak. -the float could be faulty or ... | |
| my honda f1 tacho doesn`t work | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: recently i put a f2 cdi on my Honda 600 88 it blew once and i had to put a new one since that my ... A: Marrcos, the tachometer gets it's signal from the ignition module. -on the ignition module there is ... | |
| exhaust pipe clamps | 10/31/2007 |
| Q: I recently installed some engine guards on my 2007 S50, and I had to remove the exhaust headers and ... A: Ross, Torque is mainly dictated by the bolt sizes. 6mm bolt = 6-9 ft/lbs. 8mm bolt = 12-16 ft/lbs. ... | |
| 1988 suzuki gsx600f | 10/31/2007 |
| Q: alright i have an 88 suzuki gsx600f just had the carbs cleaned and when i was driving home all it ... A: Ryan, did it smoke before the carb clean? -Check the spark plugs and see if they are wet or very ... | |
| pilot screw limiter cap | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: my 1989 Honda cbr600f1 has a loimiter cap on the pilot screw and i can only turn the pilot screw ... A: Ryan, the limiter caps are glued on, if it's plastic it could be cut off with a small grinder tool ... | |
| Shadow ACE - Gas in Oil | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: This whole problem started a little over a week ago. I got this bike from a deceased relative but ... A: James, the carburetors were likely very gummed up from being in storage so long. This causes the ... | |
| chain tightening,how tight is right | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: Just bought my first moto 1996 Yamaha "Radian" 600 I have never owned one but the chain seems to ... A: Mike, put the bike on the centerstand. -turn the wheel until the chain is at it's tightest point. ... | |
| 86 Honda Shadow VT700C | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: My Shadow spent 3 years in storage and fuels went bad. I think I have it clean, but now the engine ... A: Ed, the fuel pump should keep pumping once the engine starts. I believe a relay kicks in then. The ... | |
| 1997 CR125 clutch | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: I have recently replaced clutch basket and have checked all other clutch parts.. Plates, springs, ... A: Chris, the lever behind your ignition cover has to have some free play. I believe you adjust this ... | |
| 1983 Yamaha Virago 500 | 10/28/2007 |
| Q: I hope you can help. I just bought this bike a few weeks ago, and it ran pretty good. There were ... A: Marston, first thing to do with problems like this is to check the condition of the engine with a ... | |
| 1980 honda cb900c | 10/28/2007 |
| Q: i recently was giving a 1980 honda cb900c from a family memeber. it was her husbands and he recently ... A: Dan, -check for a sticky carb slide. -check if all the pipes are warming up. -check the fuel ... | |
| 1986 yamaha virago 700 | 10/28/2007 |
| Q: Front cylinder will start missing I pull the plug and I have spark but the plug is wet. Front ... A: Mike, if the compression is equal on both cylinders I would check: -spark plugs and caps -air ... | |
| Carb problems | 10/27/2007 |
| Q: I own a 1974 Yamaha TX500A that I'm in the process of trying to fix. It runs great in the right ... A: Mike, sounds like it may have a bad or dirty float needle valve in the left carb. -Have you checked ... | |
| Swingarms | 10/27/2007 |
| Q: Need to know if the swingarm of an 89 gpx/ex600 will fit an 89 gpx/ex250. Measurements of main shaft ... A: Nick, this might be a question better asked on some of the Kawasaki forums online. ... | |
| 1982 v45 magna honda | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 v45 magna honda; the bike has been starting and running fine. It began to click around ... A: John, when you hear the solenoid click there should be a connection between the two bigger solenoid ... | |
| 1992 polaris trail boss 250 | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: my polaris trail boss will only run with the lights on hi beam. on low beam or off it will barley ... A: Jeremy, I was unable to find a wiring diagram for this model but can't see why the low beam would ... | |
| 1985 Honda gl1200L | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: Recently my bike has been cutting out on me. The fuel system light on the dash comes on then it just ... A: Nick, there is a fuel pump relay but I am more suspect of it being a loose connection somewhere. ... | |
| 1986 Yamaha Radian Oil and Clutch Problems | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 1986 Yamaha Radian. It has a grabby clutch - even when clutched out all the way, it ... A: Joseph, -check below your rear brake pedal on the engine, there should be a little glass window. ... | |
| 2001 super glide charging sys | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: hey Samuel, I hope you can help me with this problem I have with my dads HD. the battery is new, my ... A: Vic, just check the voltage on the battery posts with the bike revved up a bit. Should be around 14 ... | |
| viargo | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1985 viargo wtih 22 thousand miles on it has a 699cc engine and to start the battery doesnt ... A: Brandon, the carb float needles sometimes fall out on these bikes flooding the engine with fuel. ... | |
| Honda V65 Magna VIBRATION Problem | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: Mr. Samel, I have a 1985 V65 Magna. When I tach between 4000 and 5500 RPM I get a rather ... A: Marc, it seems few people with Magnas have experienced the levels of vibration you have. Some ... | |
| Ignition trouble for a Honda 1980 CB750K | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: where to begin?..... How about that I have erratic / inconsistent spark on cylinders 1 and 4. ... A: David, FOLLOWUP: yes, your spark units may have problems due to bad connections on a plug or fuse, ... | |
| Ignition-1976 Kawasaki KZ400 | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1976 Kawasaki KZ400; I think it's an E. The ignition recently broke. I've contacted local ... A: Aaron, -Your bike I believe has about 4 main wires on the ignition switch. -The light colored or ... | |
| cdi unit | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: hey well my problem is i thumpstar i got a new cdi unit and coil package for it and a new spark plug ... A: Cameron, are you saying it idles okay but quits when you try to ride? If it is running, the spark ... | |
| 1986 Honda Goldwing Aspencade | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: I had a problem with my Goldwing shutting off. I started doing some investigating and found that ... A: Steve, -the battery positive wire goes to the main fuse. On the other side of the main fuse is ... | |
| gs450t parallel twin | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: My bike starts and idles great. Once you ride off it sputters out like its out of gas after about ... A: Joseph, -Is it getting a good supply of fuel to the carbs? -Can you open the drain screws on the ... | |
| valve adjustment | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: how do i adjust the valves on my 2005 yamaha 1100 v star? A: Patrick, these links should explain it as well as I can, http://www.vstar1100.com/engine.htm ... | |
| idle rpm | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: My Yamaha850 vintage starts up and runs. The observed symptom is that the idle rpm(~1000)increases ... A: Rick, it is most likely a carb problem or the rubber intake hoses leaking air. Try some wd40 or ... | |
| suzuki volusia wont start | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 04 suzuki volusia I just added 20" ape hangers and extended all the wiring. I twisted and ... A: Dan, -the power for starting comes from the fuse box possibly from a relay and goes through your ... | |
| Yamaha 1983 xv750 ignition coils | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1983 750 virago and have been looking for ignition coils. Will 1981 or 1982 coils work? ... A: Diana, the coils will work from any Virago 1981-1983. Any coil with the correct specs will likely ... | |
| 2000 Suzuki Marauder 800 cc | 10/21/2007 |
| Q: While riding at highway speeds, my wife experienced a sudden loss of power and made a much louder ... A: Trevor, so is it your wife that lost power on the highway as you mentioned or your bike? ;) I ... | |
| 1987 kawasaki ninja 750 | 10/21/2007 |
| Q: hey wayne when i crank my motorcycle up it runs good and everything but when i put it in gear it ... A: Tommy, it may be the hydraulic system has air in it but also it may be the clutch plates stuck ... | |
| 2007 XL1200L won't start or turn over | 10/20/2007 |
| Q: I had to replace my speedometer and handle bars after a laydown. Now my bike won't turn over when I ... A: Kerry, Is your battery charged up and cables tight? check for power to the starter solenoid. Does ... | |
| INFO ON MY YAMAHA VIRAGO 1986 | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: my bike stars everytime but if i shut the choke down it dies out the choke needs be on al ... A: James, could be plugged jets in the carbs, but try draining the float bowls and see if fuel is ... | |
| NO START ANND BACKFIRING | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: THE BIKE RAN FINE I PARKED IT NOW IT WILL NOT START IT TURNS OVER AND BACK FIRES BUT WILL NOT ... A: Ian, usually if a bike is parked very long without fuel stabilizer the carbs will get gummed up. If ... | |
| Engine shuts down | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: I have an 83 Honda Shadow VT500C on which I just replaced the starter. The bike starts great ... A: Jason, about all you can do is start checking for loose connectors on the ignition module, loose ... | |
| yamaha r6 | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: i can start the bike .i let it warm up and then when i give it gas it dies. i can start it up again ... A: Bob, Most likely a fuel shortage or excess air problem, -you didn't mention the year of your bike ... | |
| Forks and triple trees | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1994 Kawasaki Ninja 600 that I am in the middle of getting back in running and riding ... A: Ryan, forks usually leak only around the fork seals near the top of the lower tube. They are ... | |
| 1974 Yamaha Dt250 Horn not working | 10/17/2007 |
| Q: Hey I have a 1974 Yamaha Dt250 and my horn isn't wanting to work. I'm sure it's getting voltage. ... A: Matt, if the horn has power going to it usually on the brown wire, try grounding the pink wire to ... | |
| 1980Kawasaki kz750h elect | 10/17/2007 |
| Q: i bought a 1980 Kawasaki kz750h and it has no spark. i'd like to know if there is any way to check ... A: Tom, Kawasaki had a tester called the "Electrotester" but I don't think it would be easy to find. ... | |
| Got spark but still won't start | 10/17/2007 |
| Q: Hey, I finally got be a big blue spark on my honda cl100 today. It still won't start. Do you know ... A: Matt, -it should have about 120-150 psi compression ideally, but it may run if it's over 100 psi at ... | |
| Honda V65 Magna VIBRATION Problem | 10/16/2007 |
| Q: Mr. Samel, I have a 1985 V65 Magna. When I tach between 4000 and 5500 RPM I get a rather ... A: Marc, sounds like the engine is causing the vibration. Have you tried loosening the motor mounts, ... | |
| 1972 Honda Cl 100- No spark | 10/16/2007 |
| Q: Hey, I have a 1972 honda cl100. I am not getting any spark. I have cleaned the points, replace the ... A: Matt, yes, these bikes need a good battery to get the ignition going. -Check for battery voltage ... | |
| 1974 yamaha dt100 | 10/16/2007 |
| Q: When i got my cycle the guy told me he always mixed the gas and oil and the oil injector Was not ... A: Ian, I saw your question in the question pool and answered it. The oil line you mentioned goes down ... | |
| scooter | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: i wanted to know how to get the front fork off a px 150, iv put alot of effort into figuring it out, ... A: James, maybe this will help, it's a Lambretta scooter rebuild video on you-tube, watch part 3 and ... | |
| Stator testing on 92 Yamaha XJ600SD | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: I need to figure out why my bike is not charging, I think it could be the stator or the voltage ... A: Calvin, Make sure your battery, fuses are okay and check for over 14 volts at 5000 rpm on battery ... | |
| cb-450k7 | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: I was the Arizona state champ small engine troubleshooter my senior year of high school, and have ... A: Scott, this happens often on these bikes for various reasons. Sometimes it's plugged carb jets, ... | |
| 1995 honda shadow ace | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: My friend recently changed my rear tube for me but now when he put it back together the rear wheel ... A: Mark, is the tire touching anywhere? If not it might be assembled wrong, the wheel has a spline ... | |
| Carburetor problems | 10/14/2007 |
| Q: Shortly after toping off fuel the engine died at stop light And when re started only would run at ... A: Earl, if the bike runs on starting fluid then you must have a fuel or air problem. -Check the fuel ... | |
| 1982 Yamah 750 Maxim - Engine cuts out | 10/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Yamaha 750 Maxim with 60,000 miles on it. It runs absolutely great with one exception: ... A: Tim, -a few things could cause this, one is a bad fuel petcock that starves the fuel occasionally. ... | |
| oil leak | 10/14/2007 |
| Q: i just purchased 1982 yamaha xj750 with 18000 miles,runs great no problems except an oil leak from ... A: Scott, it may be just the valve cover gasket depending on where it starts leaking. Get some spray ... | |
| 1974 yamaha dt100 | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1974 Yamaha DT 100 that i got for cheap.I noticed that the oil injector hose coming from ... A: Ian, the injector pump is in the right side cover. It needs an oil line from the tank and then it ... | |
| Cam chain noise?? | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: I have just purchased a 1985 Honda Nighthawk CB 650 SC. It has about 42,000 km's on it. I just ... A: Matt, the camchain is automatic from about 1983 on. The early 650's had a lock nut at the rear of ... | |
| lifters | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: So my question is are the lifters supposed to be able to move back and forth by hand or should they ... A: Darius, this could be a complex answer as it is hard for me to tell which parts you are referring ... | |
| 1987 yamaha pw80 two stroke | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: i have a problem with either my starter ignition relay coil or my solenoid because my engine isn't ... A: Jonathan, the parts you are calling relay and solenoid are likely your CDI ignition unit and ... | |
| carburation | 10/12/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I recently installed a Mikuni TM40-50 pumper carb on a 2002 Honda XR650R and it performs ... A: David, the Mikuni uses alot different jet numbers than a comparable Keihin carb. In other words ... | |
| cb500 blowing fuse | 10/12/2007 |
| Q: Just purchased a1973 cb500 .8000 mile above average condition starts and runs great ,After about 15 ... A: -bad wire or loose connections are the usual problem. The fuse holders are a place to start, they ... | |
| 1987 yamaha pw80 two stroke | 10/12/2007 |
| Q: i have a problem with either my starter ignition relay coil or my solenoid because my engine isn't ... A: Jonathan, I would like to help but I can't figure out what your bike is, I never heard of a starter ... | |
| '85 goldwing | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: i've recently been having a problem with my '85 goldwing. it's been quiting while i'm driving ... A: John, -if your bike is quitting at random times I suspect a possible electric or electronic ... | |
| CB160 electronic ignition | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: I am resurrecting a CB160 and have a set of new points in hand. Everything looks good, but I am ... A: Bill, with all the people writing to me with electronic ignition problems, the points are starting ... | |
| 1974 yamaha dt100 | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: I just got a new kickstarter for my cycle.When i put it onand tried it out,it just turned freely ... A: Ian, -inside the case on the end of your kickstart shaft there is a gear and a spring that holds on ... | |
| 1982 Virago XV750 suddenly doesn't start | 10/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Yamaha Virago XV750. I was trying to replace a TCI unit on my bike last weekend, and ... A: Mike, Here is a Virago starting system diagram: ... | |
| 6v to 12v Bulbs | 10/10/2007 |
| Q: Hey, I have a 1974 Dt250. I have just recently replaced the lighting coil, and now I'm getting full ... A: Matt, the bike is 6 volt system but it's voltage output is balanced by the load the various devices ... | |
| 97 Suzuki RM250 | 10/10/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a used 97 RM250 from an auction. It appears the previous owner was in the process ... A: Michael, -the charging coil may have one or two wires coming out depending on whether one end is ... | |
| 1981 honda 650 cb custom | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: headlight went out as i was riding it. replaced the bulb h4 and still will not come on, its not ... A: Vincent, -the fuses are usually between the handlebars or if not there look under the left side ... | |
| kz650C3 | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a kz650C3 with 5,589 miles. It has been garage for a majority of it's life. Starts fine, runs ... A: William, -it's not uncommon for bikes to pop occasionally in the exhaust pipe, especially if they ... | |
| Gl1500 Alternator brushes | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: What are the steps for replacing the alternator brushes on a 1993 Gl1500? The alternator is out and ... A: Ernie, replace both brushes, quickly unsolder the old brushes and try not to get solder into the ... | |
| yamaha yzf600r | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: how so you set the timing on the camshaft A: Heather, Set piston #1 at TDC (top dead center) Align pickup rotor "T" mark with the crankcase ... | |
| no hot starts | 10/8/2007 |
| Q: Wayne I have an 81 cb650 custom, I have a problem with hot starts. when at running temperature bike ... A: Ron, sounds like the battery is failing under load. Batteries don't last long and these bikes don't ... | |
| 1973 sportster | 10/8/2007 |
| Q: the generator gear (spur) strip out and now i have metal shavings every were (i think you call it ... A: Mike, all you can do is clean out all the broken pieces and inspect your covers and bushings for ... | |
| air shocks & forks | 10/8/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, Maybe you can tell me what to do about front forks with air ride that don't keep the ... A: Jack, other than rebuilding or replacing the units you could use some heavier weight fork oil (10W) ... | |
| turn signals | 10/7/2007 |
| Q: I have a 73 suzuki ts 125k. I recently put turn signals on the bike. I have replaced flasher relay, ... A: Larry, are these signals the original items and the flasher as well? If not you may need to try ... | |
| 1980 Honda CB650 help | 10/7/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased this a 1980 Honda CB650 and cleaned the carbs out. well I did what the shop ... A: Joe, white smoke is usually caused by condensation burning out of the pipes or in the case of a ... | |
| 85 honda shadow clutch gone? | 10/7/2007 |
| Q: my clutch stopped working almost instantly; started fine, got out of the driveway and it wouldn't ... A: Lisa, -check the fluid reservoir by your clutch lever, is it empty? The clutch is hydraulic, in ... | |
| clutch masters | 10/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a custom kz1000 78 with a magura hydrulic clutch,i want to install a msd box on the bike but ... A: Marvin, -you can replace the master but it isn't good to mix brake fluid and mineral oil systems. ... | |
| 97 Suzuki RM250 | 10/6/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a used 97 RM250 from an auction. It appears the previous owner was in the process ... A: Michael, does this bike have headlight, taillight etc? If so then it has a rectifier. That would be ... | |
| 1979 Honda cx500 low speed miss | 10/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1979 Honda cx500.The bike sat for 3 years. It started and ran great till I cleaned the ... A: Jerry, it is possible to mix up the jets unless you were very careful. Some aftermarket kits are ... | |
| clutch problem | 10/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1996 RM 125. when the bike in runing and I pull the clutch in and drop it into first it ... A: Matt, I would check your clutch assembly again. Is the clutch arm that disengages the clutch ... | |
| 1999 YZF 600R Yamaha | 10/6/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, recently while riding ,the bike made a strange noise around the transmission area and I lost ... A: Andy, -i suspect a problem with the shift shaft or spring, possibly the shift stopper/spring. -Make ... | |
| Oil and Temp light | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: I have a Vulcan 800 classic 2003 model. Me and my wife recently returned from taking it on a camping ... A: Randy, anything is possible when it comes to bike repair, when you slipped did you bump into ... | |
| 1965 Honda 50 throttle problems | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: My 1965 Honda 50 has a little bit of a problem starting. However, once started it stays running for ... A: Tony, -what to fix depends on the condition overall of the engine. Best bet is to see what the ... | |
| carb adjustment | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: i have a 88 gsx600 katana with the BTS31SS carbs. heres my problem when accelerating the bike seems ... A: Nick, -is the compression equal or near equal on all the cylinders? 150 or higher PSI. -The pilot ... | |
| 99 Honda 750 Shadow | 10/4/2007 |
| Q: Help! I was riding the bike to work when it started to sputter so I switched to reserve. It died ... A: Daniel, -your bike has a fuel cut relay, The black/blue wire is the power wire to the fuel pump ... | |
| 1976 Honda 750A | 10/4/2007 |
| Q: The main fuse is overheating. What is on that circuit that could be overheating the fuse? It is ... A: David, -see if the fuse has cooled down with your recent repairs, if not I would try moving the ... | |
| Oil and Temp light | 10/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a Vulcan 800 classic 2003 model. Me and my wife recently returned from taking it on a camping ... A: Randy, the only thing that might affect both lights is a little diode some models had that was ... | |
| 1976 Honda 750A | 10/3/2007 |
| Q: The main fuse is overheating. What is on that circuit that could be overheating the fuse? It is ... A: David, the 750's fuse box or fuse holders are the usual culprit here. The fuse holders just don't ... | |
| problems starting | 10/3/2007 |
| Q: Greetings motorcycle master. I am having problems starting my 1985 Honda nighthawk 650. I can jump ... A: Kevin, -this seems to be a recurring problem with the older Nighthawks. Part of the problem is the ... | |
| cam timing | 10/3/2007 |
| Q: I have a 94 suzuki 300 King quad and I want to give it some new rings . Its presently pumping blue ... A: Jason, sounds like some serious oil burning there. Does it burn it or leak it too? I would suspect ... | |
| Overflowing gas tank | 10/2/2007 |
| Q: My question...how is a gas tank vented and how do I unplug it? I own a 1982 Suzuki 1100 L model. I ... A: Marty, -the older bikes vent through the gas cap. When the air in the tank expands the fuel and the ... | |
| 1974 yamaha dt100 | 10/2/2007 |
| Q: Wayne,you said that i might have to cut open the exhaust and clean out the oil soaked packing.How ... A: Ian, -the backside of the pipe has to be cut open with a gas type welder or hacksaw. All the old ... | |
| 1984 vx700L yamaha | 10/1/2007 |
| Q: were is the fuses for the turn signals located i have look all over the bike and cant seem to find ... A: Matt, -if your front signals are on then the fuse is okay. -Fuse holder is located near the ... | |
| wont start after long ride | 10/1/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1985 Kawasaki 1100LTD shaft drive. replaced the battery in the beginning of the summer and ... A: Ron, -check under the side cover for your starter relay, see if it connects between the larger ... | |
| 1974 yamaha dt100 | 10/1/2007 |
| Q: First off let me thank you for helping me out 2 before.Anyway i cleaned my carb and put a new clutch ... A: Ian, -is the air filter clean? Maybe when you tightened it the engine has trouble getting enough ... | |
| 650 nighthawk ignition | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: I saw the post below from a previous question- Did this guy every get back to you if this solved his ... A: Dan, -unfortunately most people don't let us know how and if they solved their bike problems. It ... | |
| motor bogging out | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: .I have a 1972 sl100 honda bike and this bike idles great but when I open up the throttle it boggs ... A: Danny, -may bog if mainjet is plugged or needle jet above it. -if you are sure the fuel is getting ... | |
| Idle Problem | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: I am having problems with the idle. When at idle the machine will rev up high for a while and then ... A: Tyler, -it sounds like the carb is in need of service. It may have water or dirt blocking a jet or ... | |
| oil change | 9/29/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Honda CB900 and I wanted to know how much oil to put in the oil compartment. A: Rachel, -If you change the oil and the filter, add about 3.7 US quarts or 3.5 litres of 10W40 ... | |
| starting problems | 9/29/2007 |
| Q: The bike is a 1996/7 Yamaha Virago VX535 in California OK. To start off the bike cranks and turns ... A: Joe, -check the voltage on the battery terminals with the bike running about 3000 rpm or higher. It ... | |
| VL 1500 LC Suzuki | 9/28/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 VL 1500 that has 16K miles on it. It has been well maintained aside from long periods ... A: Marcus, check the linkage for any problems first, make sure the shift lever is not hitting ... | |
| Ignition System | 9/28/2007 |
| Q: I purchased a 1986 Yamaha BW200 a few days ago...it worked when I bought it. And not when I got ... A: Toby, -it is normal for some oil to be in the stator area. The hole in the case should not be ... | |
| Idle roughness and knocking | 9/28/2007 |
| Q: I recently came across a 1982 Honda Goldwing with a 1100GL. I replaced all the fluids, spark plugs, ... A: Dwayne, -rough idle and knocking is usually caused by plugged carb idle jets or passages which ... | |
| 1993 Honda VLX 600 hesitation/miss | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: I bought this VLX not running, knowing that it has sat a year. The carbs were gummed up really bad. ... A: Al, -hope you have checked the fuel valve (petcock) screen inside the tank and also the vacuum ... | |
| Fuel problem | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: I recently got the shadow at an auction, so I don\´t know the history of the bike. I noticed the ... A: Scott, I will try to answer but you did not include the year and engine size of your bike. -There ... | |
| Yamaha Maxim - 5th speed | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 1985 Yamaha Maxim XJ700. I recently saw on a motorcycle specs website that this is ... A: Dan, -the gears are 1 down and 4 up on the shift lever. Check the shift pedal/lever to see if it is ... | |
| Carburetor Honda 1983 550CB Nighthawk | 9/26/2007 |
| Q: I just bought the bike which was in the garage for approx, 8 years. I cleaned the fuel tank, checked ... A: Wilson, Glad you found the problem, the original factory manuals may be available from ... | |
| Honda CL-360 stuck clutch | 9/26/2007 |
| Q: The clutch handle on my 1975 Honda CL-360 got stuck today, so that the clutch is disengaged. I ... A: Brian, -the trick to this is backing off all your clutch adjustment screws and even remove the ... | |
| mwhat kind of centrifigal clutch | 9/26/2007 |
| Q: i have a pw50 yamaha 1997 automatic if you give it gas it does not move do i need a centrifugal ... A: Justin, -your clutch is made by Yamaha and is under the right crankcase cover. -There is a circlip ... | |
| I swamped my Honda | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: The other day I swamped my 2005 Honda TRX 500 FM after drying it all out, I got it restarted without ... A: Dan, sounds like water in the carb, did you drain the float bowl a couple of times? Could be a ... | |
| Carb Setup | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: Good day, I have a 1990 LT160 with an 85' LT125 engine. According to the parts diagrams, the carb ... A: Eric, sounds like the carb has been replaced with another model, possibly an aftermarket ... | |
| Suzuki VL1500LC Intruder air filter switch | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: I want to go the the K&N air filter. Do I order just one or do I need two to replace the orginal ... A: Dale, -if you want the original style just order one that fits, the K&N SU-1598. -I would avoid ... | |
| honda shadow vt500c ignition puzzle | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: i have inherited a 84 honda shadow, not running(starts occaisionally) i determined via ohm meter ... A: Bruce, are all spark units buzzing? Does it stop when you disconnect the pulse connector? Sounds ... | |
| 1998 Suzuki 1500 Intruder | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 intruder 1500, it back fires and misses on the front cylinder at half throttle and up. ... A: Allen, I believe only DYNA could test those ignition units. I don't have any information on what ... | |
| z650 engine swop | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1981 kawasaki z650 f2 with standard electronic ignition and i want to fit an engine from a ... A: Del, -the ignition coils may be different but you can try them. The wiring will need some ... | |
| 1981 Yamaha Exciter 250 | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: I just purchased an '81 Exciter 250 w 10k mi. It runs/shifts smoothly and sounds great. There is no ... A: Phillip, -if you are just changing the oil and filter add 1.3 litres or 1.4 US quarts. -If the ... | |
| 1998 Suzuki 1500 Intruder | 9/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 intruder 1500, it back fires and misses on the front cylinder at half throttle and up. ... A: Allen, -check your compression, if it is near the same on both cylinders have a look at the spark ... | |
| 2006 vstar 1100 brake light | 9/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2006 yamaha v star 1100 that the brake light stays on and I don't know what to do. I've ... A: Josh, have you checked the brake light switches? They usually have yellow and brown wires on them. ... | |
| 83 virago 500 | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: I CAN DRIVE THE BIKE WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS I WILL GO TO WORK AND COME OUT AND ... A: Dom, -do you notice any pressure in the gas tank? It could be a blocked tank vent. The pressure ... | |
| DT 100 | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: will a clutch cable for any other year dt100 fit my 1974 DT100 A: Ian, Yamaha DT100A-B, 1974 and 75 were the same I believe. Also the DT125-175 may work from the ... | |
| 2001 Yamaha V-Star 1100 motorcycle | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: This bike is not "putting" out but 11 volts. What do we need to check? A: Bubba, Check battery, if it's okay and charged up, -Set multimeter on "AC" volts. In the stator ... | |
| foreman cooling fan | 9/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a honda 450s and the cooling fan has stopped working. The fan will run if I jump the temp ... A: Robert, -if it runs when you jump the sensor, then the fan control unit is likely okay as the fan ... | |
| Yamaha Fj1100 | 9/20/2007 |
| Q: Just picked up the FJ, it hasn't been run in 3 yrs and very little in the last 5. When stared it ... A: John, -it may be possible that the valve seals are dried out and leaking oil into the engine. -You ... | |
| 1978 honda hawkomatic 400 | 9/19/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me what size jets are supposed to be in the primary, and what is ... A: Paul, Primary jet is #72 and Secondary (main jet) is #105. Yes there should be a rubber plug over ... | |
| Yamaha Fj1100 | 9/19/2007 |
| Q: Just picked up the FJ, it hasn't been run in 3 yrs and very little in the last 5. When stared it ... A: John, -a bike sitting this long could have alot of sticky parts. A compression check would likely ... | |
| Carb float settings | 9/19/2007 |
| Q: Wayne please tell me you know this one. I have a 1983 Honda Shadow VT500c. I've had constant carb ... A: Tom, due to the shallow float bowls the float level is only around 7mm-7.5mm with the float tang ... | |
| 1974 yamaha DT100 | 9/18/2007 |
| Q: I was riding my cycle and i stopped and turned it off.When i went to start it again it would not ... A: Ian, -the point gap adjusts your ignition timing. -There should be timing marks on the flywheel and ... | |
| 87 Honda 1200 a aspencade | 9/18/2007 |
| Q: Ok the bike has a charging system problem !! I have diagnosed the Regulator/Rectifier as being the ... A: Jim, the only filter I can think of is a radio noise supression filter. I looked at a wiring diagram ... | |
| 1980 CB125 | 9/18/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I've recently rebuilt the motor on my CB125 and have put it all back in the frame. ... A: Joshua, -the power to your ignition goes from the battery through the fuse and on to the ignition ... | |
| 1980 suzuki ts100 | 9/17/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1980 suzuki ts100 and the wiring on it is all mixed up and i cant figure out what goes ... A: Scott, I can't tell you where all the wires go if you are planning to fix them, you would need a ... | |
| 2001 Shadow Ace | 9/17/2007 |
| Q: Will it damage the engine on my 750 Shadow if I remove the baffles from the back of the pipes? The ... A: Trent, when you change the exhaust system it changes the fuel/air mixture your bike requires. By ... | |
| Overheating Hayabusa???? | 9/17/2007 |
| Q: i own a 06' Suzuki Hayabusa, recently i had to remove the radiator and fan to tighten up my exhaust ... A: Jon, possible causes are: -air in the system, try rocking the bike left and right with the ... | |
| instrument cluster | 9/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 96 honda cbr f3..recently while riding I lost all power..after some tinkering I found that ... A: George, a dead short like this could do alot of damage, I don't see the relationship between the ... | |
| Yamaha Dt250 Charging Problem | 9/16/2007 |
| Q: Hey I have a 1974 Yamaha dt250. I believe I've narrowed down my charging problem to a bad lighting ... A: Matt, -if your coil wires are melted that is a problem. -Be sure it is not just varnish that they ... | |
| 87 fzr1000 miss at idle and low rpm | 9/16/2007 |
| Q: I have an 87 fzr1000 that has a miss at idle and low rpm (under around 4-5000 rpm) The number 3 pipe ... A: Dave, -Compression is a little low, but could be other problems. -Have you tried a timing light on ... | |
| carb problem | 9/15/2007 |
| Q: 81 Honda CT70- when i rev this bike up the rpm's stay high for a few seconds then drops back down to ... A: Gary, sounds like a lack of fuel or an air leak on your intake or carb. -Check the throttle cable ... | |
| 2003 Honda Recon 250 | 9/15/2007 |
| Q: I'm working on a friend's Honda Recon that he says has not been running in about a year. I ran a ... A: Kyle, If the bike was parked for a year, I would suspect the fuel system. Have you checked if fuel ... | |
| katana clutch wont disengage | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 suzuki Katan 600 and It was sitting for a while and now when I start it and try to put ... A: Kevin, you said "clutch won't engage" but I'm suspecting you mean the opposite, that it won't ... | |
| Starter issue | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1983 Honda cx 650 custom. When I go to start it the starter just clicks like it is trying ... A: Bryan, -if you find your starter solenoid near the battery, it has two bigger cables on it. One ... | |
| yamaha charging system | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: I have an '82 yamaha virago 750 that does not appear to charge the battery when running. Voltmeter ... A: Garry, -make sure you have a good and charged battery in the bike. Double check cables and fuses ... | |
| 1994 Honda Shadow 1100 vt | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: After being on holiday and my bike breaking down, the Honda shop found that my stator and rectifier ... A: Morgan, you have a serious overcharging problem there. I suspect the problem is either a faulty new ... | |
| KD80 intermittent high idle | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1985 KD80 that I recently got running after sitting for 2 years. The problem I am facing is ... A: Paul, it is likely after sitting so long that the engine seals could be leaking air into the ... | |
| Oil Flow | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: I am adding an oil cooler to my 2000 Buell X1. I would like to just add it in-line with my return ... A: Casey, -The large bottom line is the feed to the oil pump. The large line near the top is the ... | |
| 93' Suzuki Intruder 800 | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a '93 Suzuki Intruder 800. Can you give me any information on where to adjust the clutch and ... A: Benji, the clutch has no adjustment, it is a hydraulic type with a master cylinder and slave ... | |
| Fuse blowing | 9/11/2007 |
| Q: My 82 Suzuki GS 1100 EZ blew the main fuse while running about a month ago. Replaced it and ran ... A: Roger, -it's a dead short somewhere alright, my suggestion would be to unplug the ignition switch ... | |
| Stuck in the Solomon Islands | 9/11/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Honda CT110 here in the Solomon Islands (South Pacific) and I'm stymied by an ... A: Tim, -it definitely sounds like a rectifier problem, just make sure you have all the lights working ... | |
| 1995 cbr600 - pulsating | 9/11/2007 |
| Q: i have a 95 cbr 600 and i just recently replaced the wiring harness, stator, and rectifier. i got ... A: Jake, check the wires coming from the pulser/rotor area, tighten the connectors, squeeze the female ... | |
| 92 CBR 600F2 problems | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: So, i was riding on the highway, doing anywhere from 60-70mph. I approached a hill, maybe a 10 - 15 ... A: Mike, -it might just be a fuel problem, but from your description I would suggest doing a ... | |
| Carb leaking | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a 93 Honda Z50R that I just recently got a new 88cc big bore kit for it. I got a new carb ... A: Derek, -the needle valve in the carb needs to shut off the gas flow as the float bowl fills up. ... | |
| 1990 Sportster Transmission/Clutch | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: My sportster does not want to go into neutral. When I can find neutral it grinds and makes a ... A: Ward, if this problem started with the changes you made, I would suggest setting your forward ... | |
| 1982 suzuki gs550L | 9/9/2007 |
| Q: Jeremy again. The previous problem was the battery. I exchanged it and charged the newer one. Now ... A: Jeremy, the coils are usually between 2.4 - 3.8 ohms on the primary coil wire and 13k - 18k ohms on ... | |
| honda 200 x 1985 | 9/9/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1985 honda 200x that wont start it has spark A: James, -check for compression, it should blow your finger off the spark plug hole, use a gauge if ... | |
| 1970 Honda CL175 | 9/8/2007 |
| Q: Hey wayne, I have been working on a 1970 Honda cl175.I got the bike running and running good. After ... A: Evan, -is the compression good on both cylinders? -Black plugs usually indicate way too much fuel ... | |
| Fuel Starvation | 9/8/2007 |
| Q: How can you run a check to see if the engine is in fact getting fuel? I've got a 72 Yamaha xs ... A: Dwight, -make sure the compression is equal on both cylinders. -Is the carb filling with fuel? ... | |
| How to test magneto output | 9/8/2007 |
| Q: Hey I have a 1974 Yamaha Dt250. I am wanting to check the output of my magneto with a multimeter I ... A: Matt, usually the larger coil is for lighting and charging, they can output between 15 and 30 volts ... | |
| 1987 Suzuki Savage | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: my 1987 suzuki savage is new to me. i am also new to motorcycles and riding. it currently ... A: Chris, -Check for spark, try a new spark plug. -Make sure battery cables are tight. Ignition timing ... | |
| kickstarter | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: i own a few old honda minitrail's (z50's and ct70's.) occasionally the kickstarter feels spongy as ... A: Gary, That mushy feel is a common trait on those clutches. It may be clutch slip or weak clutch ... | |
| Honda CL250 | 9/6/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased a 1969 Honda CL250 (Frame # CL250-1003288) and have found it near impossible to ... A: Cameron, You could adapt a newer set of aftermarket Mikuni carbs in the 24mm or so range, you would ... | |
| 2005 yamaha 650 vstar classic carbs | 9/6/2007 |
| Q: when i start the bike the needle in the carburator sticks causing the fuel to bypass and dump out ... A: Bill, fuel can varnish quickly sitting in a carb, but usually takes awhile to make things stick ... | |
| 1977 kz650 b-2 camchain tenshioner | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: took off broken housing and put back on, now bike doesn't turn over via electric or kick start. ... A: Lonnie, what housing did you take off, the cam chain tensioner or cam cover? Was the cam chain ... | |
| clutch | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: How do you adjust the clutch on a 1984 Honda Goldwing Aspencade. 1984. A: Clarence, No adjustment is necessary. -hydraulic actuated clutches adjust themselves. If you are ... | |
| 1970 Honda CL175 | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: Hey wayne, I have been working on a 1970 Honda cl175.I got the bike running and running good. After ... A: Evan, -double check the choke, air filters, and -make sure the carb throttle slides have not been ... | |
| 2002 yamaha R6 | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: I let my sister rise my bike yesterday when i went to get on it ti would shift to first but it's not ... A: Robert, -Is the shift lever working okay, not bent? Are you sure it is shifting into gear? -If it ... | |
| 1998 Suzuki Marauder Fork Seals | 9/3/2007 |
| Q: I am thinking about purchasing a 1998 Suzuki Marauder with 6,400 Miles on it. The owner is telling ... A: Rob, fork seals fail at various times, they seem prone to leaking, sometimes due to dust and dirt ... | |
| Won't Start! | 9/3/2007 |
| Q: Hey i just bought a 1982Yamaha maxim 400 and when i got it ran perfectly. Then i took it home and ... A: Jordan, -do the basics first, check for spark, if no spark, check the fuses, kill button, fix up ... | |
| Honda SL125 engine whine | 9/3/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1972 Honda SL125 I have restored except the engine. I did not attempt any restoration on ... A: Robert, Followup: it is starting to sound like it might be in the transmission, since it doesn't ... | |
| 1974 Yamaha Dt250 Tailpipe | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1974 yamaha dt250. I've finally boiled down my excessive smoking issue due to an almost ... A: Matt, the silencer on these bikes is usually full of some fiberglass material and it fills up with ... | |
| Motorcycle that has been sitting. | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: I'm looking into purchasing a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 with fuel injection. The catch is that the ... A: Aaron, probably the worst thing is old gas drying up and causing problems. The battery will need ... | |
| 1982 Honda magna vf750 | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: can't get it started having carburtor problems maybe more. Gas run out of two carbs and getting ... A: Ron, sounds like alot of problems, all you can do is tackle them one at a time. -Carbs shouldn't ... | |
| 3 wheeler | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: I have an 85 Honda 110 ATC witha transmission/clutch problem. When shifting into a higher gear the ... A: Tyler, very hard to tell without being there, could be clutch not releasing but more likely worn ... | |
| New battery drained immediately | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: Just placed a new battery into a suzuki GSX250, I started it a couple of times (the bike idled for ... A: Hamish, -the battery should be charged up slowly when new with a low amp charger, (2 amp) -Once ... | |
| Honda 400A knock | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: I purchased a Honda CB400A 1978 with 5100 miles in very good shape,needed full choke to run so full ... A: Stephen, -many things can make noise in an engine, in your case I would suggest it might be the ... | |
| 93 Honda Z50R Clutch Screws | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: I have a Honda Z50R that I am replacing the oil pump with a better one. I am have a very hard time ... A: Derek, if you don't have the screws out yet, an impact driver is a good purchase. Find one with ... | |
| locked out | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: I have accidently locked my keys in the glovebox area of my 75 goldwing. I placed them in the tray, ... A: Tim, your ignition switch may have a key code on it, some Honda dealers can make a new key from ... | |
| Honda Nighthawk Ignition | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1983 Honda Nighthawk CB650SC and I'm having trouble with the ignition. The problem usually ... A: Mike, my first inclination is toward checking -battery cables and ground wires. -clean the fuse ... | |
| 85 vulcan 700 won't start after warm | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: The bike starts fine when first started. After a few minutes if you shut it off it will turn over ... A: Harry, -Have you checked for good fuel supply to the carbs, fuel filter? -Next time it won't ... | |
| ignition switch | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: hey justin, im new in the bike world, i changed my ignition switch on my bike, the thing is that i ... A: Joel, with your clutch in, side stand up and kill button off, you should get power to the starter ... | |
| 1973 CB350 | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: I'm $150 in the hole. I've got my bike broken down completely, with basically no motorcycle repair ... A: Joel, I doubt it would be worth having a shop rebuild it, even if you could find someone willing. ... | |
| Baja 250 only 404kms lost all spark | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: My baja 250 lost all spark after the kids said they went through a water hole . I have replaced the ... A: Les, -this likely uses a CDI ignition system consisting of a magnetic flywheel or rotor and an ... | |
| 84 Harley | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: I need to know how to replace the Clutch cable on an E84 harley XLX 1000. When I go to put the cover ... A: Pat, Harley did a change on that clutch mechanism sometime in 1984, I suppose to make it better? ... | |
| 96 Kawasaki ZX-7R Coolant Overheating | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: Just got a 1996 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R. The coolant starts to boil extremely bad in the coolant ... A: Chris, Followup: Chris, the water pump and oil pump are a unit on these I believe. You may be able ... | |
| VTX 1800 Front shock rebuild info | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: Can you find information on line about the rebuild procedure on the forks on a VTX 1800 without ... A: Ray, -this webpage has a fork rebuild similar to what you would basically need to do on your ... | |
| TRIUMP BONAVILLE | 8/28/2007 |
| Q: I HAVE A 1998 TRIUMP BONIVILLE..I STARTED THE BIKE TO MOVE IT AND IT WAS FINE...I WENT TO START IT ... A: Tony, -you will have to do some checking to see if it is a fuel problem or ignition related. -Get ... | |
| 1971 sporster light motor noise | 8/28/2007 |
| Q: hi i just purchased a 1971 shovelhead and there is light tapping coming from the push rods i did ... A: Jason, a few things can cause valve train noise. -dirty or faulty lifters or lifter block ... | |
| electrical | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: 1984 fj 600 yamaha When I first start from cold charging system is at14.5 run for about5 min then ... A: Damien, -Disconnect and check for 60-70 "AC" volts between the three stator wires on the stator ... | |
| motorcycle | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: i own a1980 yamaha 850 speacial and it was running and one day it starting popping back through the ... A: Tim, does it have spark? If it has spark, try some carb cleaner or wd40 or such in the intake of ... | |
| dead battery | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 2002 suzuki marauder with 4000 miles and the battery keeps dying...i replaced the ... A: David, -double check any connectors around the rectifier, battery and stator plug. Check all fuses. ... | |
| 2003 Yamaha V-Star won't start! | 8/26/2007 |
| Q: ..I have a 2003 V-Star with 6,000 miles on it that suddenly won't start. I pulled it out of the ... A: Lee, -did you check for fuel in the carbs? -It could be a fuse on the fuel pump circuit or loose ... | |
| 2002 Yamaha V-star 1100 | 8/26/2007 |
| Q: I am looking to buy a used 1100 Yamaha. The bike i am interested in won't start. Owner charged the ... A: Bill, -yes there is a starter relay, is the battery good? -Make sure the battery cables are tight, ... | |
| dry spark plugs honda xl250r '83 | 8/26/2007 |
| Q: My bike died the other day while I was riding it. I was driving along at 65 mph and it dropped down ... A: Jeff, try some carb spray or wd40 in the intake and see if it fires on it. Then you know it's likely ... | |
| Honda VF750 Sabre Clutch Problem | 8/25/2007 |
| Q: On my 1982 Honda VF750 Sabre with 42K mi I can upshift to any gear, but shifting down can only be ... A: Alexander, your problem is likely the shifter arm spring broke. Number 17 in this picture: ... | |
| 82 Yamaha Maxim 650 shocks | 8/25/2007 |
| Q: i've noticed that my front shocks are just a bit mushy for my liking. i was wondering, how do you ... A: Adam, glad you asked, yes you can over-do the air filling. Check the pressure with a regular air ... | |
| 1980 cbk 750 honda | 8/24/2007 |
| Q: why would it keep fouling plugs mostly in #3 cylinder? A: Jonathan, it depends if the fouling is dry or wet, dry fouling is black, fluffy looking, caused by ... | |
| 1981 Yamaha 650 Special dies at high rpm | 8/24/2007 |
| Q: My 1981 Yamaha 650 Special came out to play after being in storage for 12 years. It had a problem ... A: Paul, -have the main carb jets and emulsion tubes underneath them been cleaned well? Check petcock ... | |
| 1989 yamaha xt350 | 8/24/2007 |
| Q: while cleaning out my grandmothers barn i came across a 1989 yamaha xt350. it turned out that my ... A: Joel, If it turns over, I suggest a compression check first, this will give you an indication of ... | |
| 76 yam clutch ass. | 8/23/2007 |
| Q: 76 yam se 650 assembling clutch. clymer manual doesnot seem to have any torque spec or height ... A: Guy/JW, these screws have a shoulder on them so the height and spring pressure is correct when they ... | |
| 1984 cb750 nighthawk | 8/23/2007 |
| Q: i have a 84 nighthawk and the bike runs well except for the fact that it seems to have valve noise ... A: Jim, with the noise as you described, I suspect a bad tappet or possibly cam wear, I can't see it ... | |
| will not start | 8/22/2007 |
| Q: i can push the kick starter down with my pinky finger with no problem. it wont start while push ... A: Sultan, -if you have no compression, then it is most likely engine problems. Remove the spark plug, ... | |
| 1984 cb750 nighthawk | 8/22/2007 |
| Q: i have a 84 nighthawk and the bike runs well except for the fact that it seems to have valve noise ... A: Jim, tappet problems are not common, but you may have wear on the camshaft, tappet, shim or ... | |
| 1985 Yamaha Virago XV700 | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: I'm still looking for a good deal on a used Virago XV700. This one has 10K mi. Tends to backfire ... A: Berry, backfiring has many causes, alot of bikes new and old have the occasional backfire. Newer ... | |
| 1980 Goldwing 1100 Interstate | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: six cylinder head bolts, two are long. Do they go in the top right and top left of block? Father ... A: Rob, yes, the long bolts go in the top outside holes on the head. The six 10mm bolts are torqued ... | |
| 1985 Harley soft tail 1340 EVO 4spd. | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I recently installed 2inch drag pipes with baffles and now when I twist the throttle quickly ... A: Andy, If your carb is stock it would be a Keihin butterfly type carb with a flange connection. ... | |
| 82 yamaha seca xs400rj sputters | 8/20/2007 |
| Q: I recently prepared my 82 yamaha for running again, after sitting idle for the last 3 years. So of ... A: Alan, even though there was some corrosion on the coils, it might not be the reason the right ... | |
| 78 cb 125 trouble when warmed up | 8/20/2007 |
| Q: i thought this bike was running perfect until i took it for a decent ride (10 miles+).On the way ... A: Eric, sounds like either a stuck advance unit or a lean fuel mixture. If you put the bike in gear ... | |
| 1982 suzuki gs 550L | 8/20/2007 |
| Q: I own a 1982 suzuki gs 550L. I put in a new stator and a new battery. With both, the bike will turn ... A: Jeremy, -could be a couple of things, first off just to clarify something, the charging system and ... | |
| Yamaha DT400 timing | 8/19/2007 |
| Q: I've got a 1976 Yamaha DT400 and I'd like to check the ignition timing. Can you help? A: Tom, -the timing can be checked with a timing light on the flywheel. There is usually some timing ... | |
| V Star 1100 - Will not run unless choke is on | 8/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2001 Yamaha VStar 1100 (XV1100). It only has about 2600 miles. About 6 weeks ago while ... A: Troy, -double check the battery connections, they have to be clean and tight or electrical problems ... | |
| 82 yamaha seca xs400rj sputters | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: I recently prepared my 82 yamaha for running again, after sitting idle for the last 3 years. So of ... A: Alan, First, -try a new spark plug, check the wires and plug caps, the caps should be under 5k ... | |
| Honda Nighthawk Whoes | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: Okay, I bought a nighthawk from a coworker I put a battery in it and it started right up. A little ... A: John, I don't know where to start, is the battery good and fully charged? -If your signals come on ... | |
| 2000 warrior 350 | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: A friend of mine has a warrior 350 that seems to hit the rev limiter at about 3000rpm. We checked ... A: Kyle, -have you checked the reverse limiter on the left case, it needs to be clean. -Also the ... | |
| 1986 Rebel 250 | 8/17/2007 |
| Q: I was just given this bike and was told it needed a chain tensioner. When I first tried to start it, ... A: Carlo, -it sounds like the starter drive is broken or worn. It has little rollers and springs, they ... | |
| 1984 Yamaha Virago XV700 | 8/17/2007 |
| Q: I'm looking at this bike to buy. Has 14,080 mi. Runs great, but fouls the front sparkplug when ... A: Berry, -fouling the plug could be for various reasons. -Is it dry black fouling or wet oily ... | |
| SMOKE COMING FROM MY TAILPIPE | 8/17/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a katana 600 and had my carbs done cleaned etc it has been sitting up for at least ... A: Fred, -have you taken the bike for a long run yet, could just be condensation burning off the ... | |
| Valve adjustment | 8/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1994 Magna 750. I'm trying to adjust the valves, but see no information in my repair manual ... A: Randall, the reason it is not in the manual is because most owners don't have the tools or parts to ... | |
| 1971 honda sl125 | 8/16/2007 |
| Q: My bike has been sitting inside for 20 plus years . I t was my first bike when I was 13. I have gone ... A: Don, I had a SL100 when I was about 14, I know these bikes quite well. -Top left side of your ... | |
| yamaha bike | 8/16/2007 |
| Q: Hey there Wayne, I just bought a 1996 Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat. The oil hasn't been changed in the ... A: Alicia, Most bikes are similar when it comes to an oil change. Warm the bike up a bit so the old ... | |
| clutch | 8/15/2007 |
| Q: I just purchased a 1984 Yamaha Venture. I took it out for a little stroll. Parked it in my shed. It ... A: Kevin, the clutch slave cylinder has likely leaked all your fluid out. The best answer is probably ... | |
| yamaha yz 125 | 8/15/2007 |
| Q: i just bought this bike and it makes a rattling noise when running and i believe it is the crank ... A: Vanesa, -if it makes a knocking noise when you rev it up, it might be a loose rod bearing. -If it ... | |
| 1986 xr600 Honda | 8/15/2007 |
| Q: I just purchased the bike. It needed rings, because it had low compression and burning oil. After ... A: Philip, these engines have lots of vacuum and so need lots of air available through the intake ... | |
| 2004 vtx 1300s | 8/14/2007 |
| Q: i was having an electrical problem or still am? My lights were flickering, directionals, neutral ... A: Mike, The 22 pin connector goes to your ICM or ignition control module, no wonder it stalled out. ... | |
| Starting Problem | 8/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Honda Nighthawk 750 which I just replaced the battery in. The bike ran great for a ... A: Emily, -It is possible you are getting some charge but maybe not enough to keep the battery fully ... | |
| 1987 kawasaki ex500 | 8/14/2007 |
| Q: I'm pretty clueless about bikes =/ I'm in the process my 1st bike (1987 EX500), the only thing ... A: Thomas, -gas gets bad very quickly, it can varnish or plug up carb jets in just a month or two of ... | |
| Dead cylinder after 1500 rpm 79 Honda 500 Custom | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: werkin on a 79 Honda 500 Custom. It idles great, but when I rev it up just a little the left ... A: Mike, does it improve if you partially choke the air intake? It sounds lean, did you soak the carb ... | |
| carburator | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: My carburator will not idle propely or when i come to a stop the idle will have wide variations in ... A: Eric, if your spark plug is black and sooty, -your choke is on, -your air filter is plugged up ... | |
| how do you bleed brakes on a 1982 yamaha Seca bike | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Seca Yamaha Bike I would like to know how do u bleed the brakes on them we tried and ... A: Marty, the brakes are a little tricky to bleed because air can get trapped in the master cylinder ... | |
| lurching and bucking Honda Shadow | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: I just got an '83 Honda Shadow and it's had the air filter cleaned and the carbs as well. But ... A: Katherine, -make sure battery cables aren't loose. -water in the fuel possibly. -did it do this ... | |
| clutch lever has no pressure | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: I have an '83 honda shadow VT750C and recently installed a new stator. I had to drain the hyralic ... A: Tim, If nothing was changed during the work on the stator, it is likely just air trapped somewhere. ... | |
| carburator | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: My carburator will not idle propely or when i come to a stop the idle will have wide variations in ... A: Eric, -have you made sure the cable has some free play and is not sticking? -I am not sure what ... | |
| watercraft carb adjustment | 8/11/2007 |
| Q: Any advice will be helpful. I have a 3 cyl 750 cc 2 stroke polaris watercraft. One piston was burnt ... A: John, -not sure what carb you have, I thought maybe a Mikuni BN series for watercraft. -The lower ... | |
| carbs, yamaha xs 400 maxim | 8/11/2007 |
| Q: I need two new diaphram assemblies. I was wondering if there are other model carbs that will fit ... A: Jeff, parts are getting rare for these bikes, you may be able to adapt some vm type mikuni's with ... | |
| Goldwing transmission problem | 8/11/2007 |
| Q: I have a 94 goldwing ,It's making noise around oil filter area, when you engage the clutch it makes ... A: Clint, sounds like the front shifter dogs are worn, you could remove the front cover under the oil ... | |
| 2003 yamaha rapor | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: i have a 2003 yamaha rapor that will not start, it turn over all day long,i just replace the coil ... A: Mike, -If you have spark, it's likely the ignition is working or at least it's trying. Coils ... | |
| 1971 Honda CB350 Neutral Switch | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: I recently experienced a strange problem with a 1971 Honda CB350's neutral switch. Normally when i ... A: Andrew, -It sounds like the switch is stuck or the wire is shorted somewhere to ground. -The ... | |
| changed clutch still wont go | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: Hey man i have a 2000 Honda CBR 600 F4. I was recently practicing my willies. Then I tried to do a ... A: Patrick, -the engine gear turns the big gear on the clutch basket, the power then is transferred to ... | |
| 1984 honda shadow vt700 | 8/9/2007 |
| Q: when my bike gets hot the clutch will engage, but the bike will not move. when i let it sit and cool ... A: Robert, -if your bike doesn't move, the clutch is likely burnt out. You say it engages when hot but ... | |
| starter | 8/9/2007 |
| Q: does a 1979 honda goldwing starter fit on a 1982 honda goldwing 1100 A: Kody, -some of the parts will fit like the starter brushes and starter clutch rollers. I don't ... | |
| 1976 CB750 Exhaust | 8/9/2007 |
| Q: I'm having trouble removing the exhaust on my '76 CB750. The Phillips head bolts are really tight ... A: Grant, Note: (I have had better luck with the tapered square screw extractors than with the spiral ... | |
| 1990 ninja | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: this bike will run fine untill it gets hot(oil bubble through the looking glass)and then it just ... A: Jim, -sounds hot, on the bottom of the radiator is your fan sensor switch, this is supposed to turn ... | |
| 93 kawasaki zx600c | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: Im having electrical problems .. I jus bought this bike and all it need was the carb to be clean and ... A: Anthony, -you will need a test light or multimeter to do any troubleshooting. Also the manual is ... | |
| Replacement coils for CB350G | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: I need to purchase replacement coils for my 1973 CB350G. I can't find OEM replacements, and I'm ... A: Morgan, your bike uses points and condensors so likely the ignition coils will be rated at 4-5 ohms ... | |
| 2005 Suzuki Boulivard | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: My 2005 Suzuki C50 has a noisy engine. I only have 2500 miles on it, just bought it. When I start it ... A: Al, -Many of the newer V engines seem to be noisy. It might just be the design of the valve train ... | |
| yamaha r6 brake lights flicker whn engaged | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: both front and back will make brake lights flicker or go out when engaged all the way or too fast. ... A: Ramona, (The front and rear brake each has it's own switch, that's why I suspect the wiring, ... | |
| 1985 honda goldwing | 8/6/2007 |
| Q: I am having a problem with the charging system. I have put a new rectifer and stator! And it still ... A: Brian, -have you checked the charging output at the battery? Should have 13.5-14.5 volts. -The ... | |
| coughing carbs | 8/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1980 honda cb900c 45,000 miles I ride all the time usually 2 tanks of gas on weekends (top ... A: Bill, Sounds like a lean fuel problem at low speed. -could be some water in the fuel or some dirt ... | |
| high idle on Suzuki GS550E | 8/6/2007 |
| Q: I just finished rebuilding and restoring a 1983 Suzuki GS550E. I had the carbs off, cleaned and ... A: Jed, generally a change that leans out the fuel mixture or changes timing can cause this. I imagine ... | |
| Excessive smoking | 8/5/2007 |
| Q: Hey I have a 1974 Yamaha Dt250 with the Yamalube oil injection system. The bike smokes way too ... A: Matt, -two things it might be, but most likely the first: -on the clutch side of your engine, ... | |
| 1983 honda nighthawk cb550sc | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: I would appreate any help that I could get thank you very much. cyril A: Cyril, -cylinder 1 and 4 use the same coil so if the right side is hot and the left side warm I ... | |
| Throttle Response | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 suzuki gsx750f katana. The bike starts and idles fine but when i open up the throttle ... A: Colton, -you are partly right in a way, the tank does have a vent, but it is to let pressure out ... | |
| Yamaha grizzly 600 | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: I need to pull the engine on my 99 grizzly 4x4. The manual does not address the front axel on engine ... A: Jay, you may have to remove the axles and both drive assemblies to get the drive shafts out of the ... | |
| 1973 CB350 | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: I bought my CB350 2 years ago, 1973 with 7500 miles on it, great shape. I really enjoy riding in ... A: Randy, it may be plugged carb jets and would require taking the various jets out and cleaning them. ... | |
| trouble starting when hot | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1982 honda shadow when its cold it will fire right up but if i ride awhile and the motors ... A: Todd, is your bike a 83? I think that's when the Shadow was first manufactured. Anyway, I think ... | |
| replacing front brake levers | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: is there anything tricky about this, other than just removing the broken lever and putting the new ... A: Tim, both levers just have the one screw and a nut holding them on. Just watch out for the brake ... | |
| honda V45 magna | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1986 V45 magna which was running fine till today. I changed the plugs but its running rough ... A: John, -by your description of the problem, it sounds like it may be having some fuel problems. ... | |
| 1981 Yamaha 850 | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 81 yamaha 850 that was running a little rough. Last fall it would leak gas thru the air ... A: Rich, -it sounds like the carbs may need cleaning and possibly new float needle valves. -The oil ... | |
| Yamaha Motorcycle | 8/1/2007 |
| Q: I need to know what is the firering order for a 1981 yamaha XJ550 A: David, -each coil fires two plugs, so hook one set of coil wires to cylinder 1 and 4, the other ... | |
| 1969 yamaha 250 DT1B enduro | 8/1/2007 |
| Q: i recently obtained this and am restoring it...i have all the manuels but it does not say WHAT type ... A: Cathy, -the autolube uses a good quality 2 cycle oil for motorcycles. -Yamaha has there own ... | |
| Added To Much Oil to 86 1/2 Suzuki Intruder 700 | 8/1/2007 |
| Q: I just bought an 86 1/2 (87) Suzuki Intruder 700. I drove it 200 miles to my buddies on Saturday ... A: Josh, it sounds like the engine may have at least momentarily seized a piston from lack of oil. ... | |
| Running hot | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: I have recently purchased a 1981 Goldwing. Everything seems to work fine except after running for a ... A: Bill, -you can check the fan directly by applying power to it. Blue wire is positive. -Also if you ... | |
| clutch replacement | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: My friend and I are trying to replace a cluch on his 1993 GSXR 750. but the cover seems to be stuck? ... A: Terry, -Most likely the cover is stuck on the dowel pins. -Double check for any screws that may be ... | |
| 2003 yamaha 125cc dirt bike | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: I am putting a new piston in and cannot find the marks to time the valves. The cam sprocket has one ... A: Terry, -the valves are usually timed with the piston at top dead center or "TDC" -You can check ... | |
| 1987 CBR1000 transmission | 7/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1987 CBR1000F honda hurricane. the transmission is partially not working. I think that i ... A: Jared, it is possible the transmission is damaged, but another possibility is the shifter mechanism. ... | |
| Yamaha Battery Sensor | 7/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Yamaha Virago 920 which has a computerized monitor system. Part of the display has ... A: Lee, -the sensor has to be fooled into thinking it is attached to the battery. -Get a 2000 ohm, 1/2 ... | |
| Oil Capacity for 1982 Honda Magna 750 | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 1982 Honda Magna 750. I'm ordering the manual, but it's not here yet. What is the ... A: Roy, They usually take about 2.4 us quarts or 2.6 litres. I would suggest adding 2 quarts and then ... | |
| Carb problem | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I have a 1976 Honda CB360T. I have new 32mm mikuni carbs. The air box and exhaust has been ... A: James, -if your choke lever is on the carbs, usually the choke lever goes down and the plunger goes ... | |
| xr250r timing | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: need diagram of timing marks for 93 xr250r honda if any ave. A: Ollie, Are we talking about ignition timing or camshaft timing? Here is a description, I have no ... | |
| 1969 honda sl 90 | 7/28/2007 |
| Q: I have had this motorcycle since it was born. Always garage kept. But now needs help- tires, carb ... A: Lee, -if you need specific help on a repair problem, you can ask here. I would recommend getting a ... | |
| 1975 Honda cb750 electric start problem | 7/28/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to get the electric start to operate e with no success. There is a new battery. I get ... A: Will, -a quick check to eliminate the starter motor is to hook a good battery straight onto the ... | |
| QA50 with spark problem | 7/28/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1972 QA50 with no spark, and I noticed you had the same. Did you get the bike running? What ... A: Ben, a few things to look over are: -Are the points contacts clean, sometimes they need cleaning ... | |
| Dim headlight problem | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: Hey I was wondering if you could help me figure out a puzzling problem I have. For starters I have ... A: Matt, 1 volt is pretty lame, may be a bad ground. -have you tried running a ground wire to the ... | |
| 1981 CB750C Clutch Adjustment | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: Just bought this bike two days ago. No manual, yet. Need adjustment specs on the screw with lock nut ... A: Steve, the noise is likely in the transmission or some bearing near the clutch possibly. If the ... | |
| Overheating | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: 1984 Honda Goldwing 1200I Temp gauge reads very low when on open road. Once get in traffic or just ... A: Doug, -have you noticed the cooling fan come on? It should come on a bit over half-way on the temp ... | |
| leaking oil | 7/26/2007 |
| Q: i just bought a 1985 suzuki gs550L, it starts and idles fine for about 10 minutes, when the rpms ... A: Brian, -if it is leaking oil from the exhaust port, you probably need to check the compression, ... | |
| 1983 honda 750 shadow | 7/26/2007 |
| Q: bike was working fine, just quit, will only rev, nothing at back wheel, but if you but it on the ... A: Kim, sounds like the clutch is slipping. If everything looks and feels normal on the outside, like ... | |
| firing problem crf 80 | 7/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a honda crf-80 that is not firing. I need to know how to ohm out the pick-up and stator and ... A: Steve, is there any spark with a new plug? The pickup tab on the flywheel is just metal, it may or ... | |
| rear shock leaking oil type substance | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: I just noticed today that there is an oil type substance leaking from the bottom of the shock. Do I ... A: Paul, -if you are sure it is the shock leaking, I would say likely it needs replacing. -The oil ... | |
| 97' kawasaki zx7r died mid flight | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: Hey Wayne, I just bought my ninja,it ran great some 30 miles home started fine the next morning, ... A: Erik, sounds like the bike doesn't like your new job ;) Start with checking the most obvious or ... | |
| 1983 v65 magna | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: I HAVE A 1983 V65 MAGNA.I HAVE A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS. THEY SOMETIMES WON'T ... A: Alan, -get yourself a testlight or multimeter if you don't have one. There should be power to your ... | |
| 1983 honda v45 magna VF750 | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: I have this strange problem: When i use my bike for about 20min, i got a huge loss of power, the RPM ... A: Daniel, a couple of possibilities are: Check the gas tank for vacuum/pressure buildup, it may have ... | |
| non running | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a non-running Kawasaki KE 125 late 1970's early 1980's and I don't really know a lot about ... A: John, -first thing is see if it has compression, otherwise the engine needs a rebuild. Two strokes ... | |
| 1973 honda cb 350-carbs | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: Own a 1973 CB 350 and I am having trouble figuring out why I have to have the choke fully engaged in ... A: Boyd, Also, check out these websites: http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/interactiveMC.html ... | |
| Carb problem | 7/23/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I have a 1976 Honda CB360T. I have new 32mm mikuni carbs. The air box and exhaust has been ... A: James, -What kind of choke system do you have? If it is plungers the plunger needs to be down for ... | |
| How to Un-flood CBR 600? | 7/22/2007 |
| Q: I am pretty sure my 1999 Honda CBR 600 F4 is flooded. How would you recommend I Un-Flood it? I've ... A: Jesse, Note: Optional:take the plugs out and use the starter to clear out the gas. Watch that the ... | |
| speedometer | 7/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 99 Kawasaki ZX 6R. At about 80-90mph the speedometer needle twitches about 10mph each way. ... A: Mark, did you replace the sensor near the front sprocket? Is the sensor grounded well and is it ... | |
| Removal of GN250 Stator | 7/22/2007 |
| Q: So I've tracked my charging issues down to the stator, and have pulled off the lefthand side engine ... A: Giles, do you have the case off? If not you have to remove the sprocket cover, all the case screws ... | |
| surge tank removal | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. I recently had problems with it and I think I narrowed it down to ... A: Brett, slip the spring bands off the surge tank ducts and remove the mounting bolts below. Pull the ... | |
| Engine won't turn over | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: I just purchased a 1982 Yamaha XJ650L, and the engine won't turn over. I was told the engine turned ... A: Virginia, it sounds like the starter clutch is slipping or some related gear. The manual should ... | |
| motor cycle ignition | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: I have just bought a 1970 honda cl350. Every thing works,mechanical,lights,and gears. Problem, no ... A: Keith, chances are it needs the points cleaned and set or replaced. They are under the top left ... | |
| 2 questions | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: 1st,my 77honda cb 550.clutch has started slipping.55,000 miles.what is the proper procedure to ... A: Audie, with that mileage, I imagine the clutch needs replacing. Just make sure the clutch lever is ... | |
| 1987 700 magna | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: Is there a way to tighten the oil pump drive chain? and how much slack should be in it? A: Chuck, the chain is just replaced during rebuilds. It has no adjustment. It should have 1/4" to ... | |
| Old Honda and chinese clone engines | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: I have several old C105 Honda 55 Trails bikes, can any of the Chimnese made Honda clone engines fit, ... A: Glenn, sound like a fun project. I believe it could be done with some minor modifications. I am not ... | |
| how does the batt rechage? | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: i have a 85 virago that i just bought. i know how a battery charges on a car, and altenator. well ... A: Kevin, -Check if the bike is charging 13.5-14 volts at the battery. If not, the battery, stator or ... | |
| 87 Honda Shadow vt700 Turn Signal Problem | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: I wouldn't consider myself as mechanically minded, but I can follow a service manual if need be. I ... A: Manny, Do you have the dual filament bulbs in the front? They are 12volt 23 and 8 watts. The rear ... | |
| Kawasaki Ninja 250 | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: My bike has been sitting for about a year. I tried to start it and it wouldn't start. I tried to ... A: Adam, likely the carbs are gummed up from sitting. Stick a spark plug in one of the wires and see if ... | |
| 1981 Honda | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: I am looking into purchasing my neighbor's 1981 Honda Custom 400. I have no mechanical experience ... A: Miles, the price sounds good, if it only needs minor repairs. When you buy something not running you ... | |
| Front wheel camber issue | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 1982 Honda CM450E. The front wheel is just about rubbing the right fork. There is no ... A: Mike, something is either bent or out of place. Check that the wheel has a spacer opposite the side ... | |
| Rear wheel | 7/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a 96 or 95 suzki and i took the rear wheel off but i cant put it back on because i dont know ... A: Antonio, -Suzuki makes many models of bikes, and all the wheels are different. I would need your ... | |
| Waring Lights on a 82 Yamaha Seca | 7/17/2007 |
| Q: and I charged the battery, but still nothing. I can honk the horn, but I can't turn any of the ... A: Samantha, -get a 12 volt testlight or multimeter so you can check positively that power is getting ... | |
| '02 Yamaha V-Star Rotor Removal | 7/16/2007 |
| Q: I have an '02 V-Stra Classic which started rattling and siezed up on the way to work one day. When ... A: Eddie, You gave me a 7 for knowledge, what do you find unknowledgable about a full and complete ... | |
| 1983 yamaha virago 500 | 7/16/2007 |
| Q: i had just recently purchased this 1983 yamaha virago 500 and replaced the carbrueator sleeve <the ... A: Nick, -check the spark plugs color to see if it is running rich (black) or lean (whitish). It may ... | |
| Honda XR 250 speedometer | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: Dual sport 1995 Honda xr250 .It appears all the parts are there,after looking it up on Babbits ... A: Ken, try bikebandit.com or StarCity for parts diagrams. the wheel usually has like a flange or ... | |
| Honda Shadow | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: I need to know how to clean the carbs for a 1983 Honda Shadow vt500 ? Thank You, Keith A: Keith, carb cleaning is much the same on most carbs. Here are some sites that may help: ... | |
| 92 Virago Headlight Failure | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: I have a 92 Yamaha Virago XV750. The headlight is no longer working. I've changed the lamp and ... A: Greg, the cause is usually up in your starter button assembly. A red/yellow wire goes from the fuse ... | |
| 1980 exciter 250 | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: I just got this bike running again after 4 years. The bike runs good but I can't get the bike to ... A: LeRoy, -first make sure the shift lever is not hitting on anything on the outside of the case. -does ... | |
| Front tire removal 1999 Marauder | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: 1999 Suzuki Marauder (VZ 800) Trying to remove front wheel. Owners manual says to remove bolts from ... A: Scott, Just a followup note: be careful not to bump the brake lever when the caliper is off the ... | |
| fuel cock | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1985 yamaha virago 750 ,when ever I turn the fuel cock to prime I completely flood the ... A: Mike, it sounds like the float levels are too high or the float needle valves are leaking badly. The ... | |
| 1975 Honda CB500t Fouled Plugs | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: My bike has been in various shops for almost a year trying to get to the bottom of this problem. I ... A: Ray, have you checked the ignition advance unit? If the timing is late the fuel may not have enough ... | |
| Honda CB900C Charging system | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: Wayne I have an 81 CB900C. The battery will not stay charged. This is the second new battery I ... A: Roger, check the voltage at the battery when running fast, should be around 14 volts. The amperage ... | |
| CB360T lost compression on left side | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1975 Honda CB360T with 15k on the odo. that was in OK running condition (started up cold ... A: Corey, -possibly the rust has plugged the fuel line or the fuel inlet needle valve in the carb. Try ... | |
| fuel | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: 2000 Kaw Drifter. I block air to air filter runs better also better gas milage. Will this hurt my ... A: James, some bikes are set very lean when new, it may help to increase the main jet size. When you ... | |
| 1991 Honda Shadow 600 - Fuel issue? | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: Wayne. I have a 91 Honda Shadow 600 (with a duel carb this model year). I recently taken it to the ... A: Reid, it may be looking for fuel for various reasons. -does it do it any more frequently when ... | |
| 2000 650 v star | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: bike was put up with gas in it for about 2 yrs. we removed carbs & cleaned. new filters & all. bike ... A: James, this is a wild guess, but did you check the carb heater? It helps cold starts. It is a little ... | |
| Backfiring | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: Hi i have an 05 honda crf 450 and i havent really rode it since feb or april of this year but i have ... A: Donny, fuel can go bad within a couple of months, have you tried running some fresh fuel through it? ... | |
| 1984 Yamaha Virago 1000cc Engine Problems | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: When I am riding my bike down the highway at about 65 or 70mph the engine tends to surge for a short ... A: Kyle, since the bike restarts and runs okay for a time, and it only happens at high speeds, I ... | |
| Honda shadow quits | 7/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1984 Honda Shadow VT500 which I bought 2 months ago. I've been riding it every day until ... A: Kevin, -have you checked the fuel flow from the gas tank? Sounds like it's running out of gas. -It ... | |
| Forks GSX 125 - Suzuki | 7/10/2007 |
| Q: I was just wondering If you could Help me here, i am in need of some front fors for a suzuki gsx 125 ... A: Cameron, I believe they might work, make sure to take some measurements first. Stay away from the ... | |
| Motercycle | 7/10/2007 |
| Q: My Honda V65 is overheating and my prestone boils out the over flow. I have cheeked the water ... A: Jeff, did they try a different radiator cap? If it sucks air in the system, it will have problems. ... | |
| twinstar 185 electrical problem | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a honda 1978 twinstar 185 and the battery only stays charged for a week or so. I bought a ... A: Michelle, It sounds like your charging system has some problems. If you run a battery dead, it is ... | |
| 87 Honda Shadow 700 Oil Capacity | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: Can you please tell me what the oil capacity is for my 87 honda shadow 700? Maybe I'm the dipstick, ... A: John, It takes between 2.3 to 3.0 us quarts depending on how dry it is. I suggest warming it up a ... | |
| 87 ninja 750 - In gear and going nowhere? | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: My bike progressively lost power as I was riding it today. It started on the highway at 100km/hr in ... A: Steve, sounds like the clutch is gone. Open your oil filler screw and it will smell like something ... | |
| Yamaha XJ750 | 7/8/2007 |
| Q: I have just purchased a 1986 Yamaha XJ750. It was used here in Western Australia by the state ... A: Jason, -first thing I would check is compression psi on that fouling cylinder. It may have built up ... | |
| head gasket | 7/8/2007 |
| Q: Wayne I've had trouble sealing the head gasket on a 1975 Honda 750/4 sohc.Was not seal when I ... A: Walter, this is common with the SOHC fours. Torque is not always the answer, as the problem is more ... | |
| 84 VF700C Magna Carb | 7/8/2007 |
| Q: I just finished rebuilding the carbs on my 84 V45 Magna and have the carbs back in the bike. ... A: Julia, if it is the line I am thinking of the lines coming off the "T" should go to each carbs fuel ... | |
| Add an electric start | 7/7/2007 |
| Q: I have a Suzuki 350S 1991 Dual Purpose. It has a kick start. I am having trouble starting the bike ... A: Diane, it might be conceivable but I wouldn't recommend it due to the high cost of changing all the ... | |
| fork oil capacity | 7/7/2007 |
| Q: On a 1985 maxim 700, can you tell me what the front fork oil capacity is supossed to be in each ... A: Lenny, I checked a few manuals and each one gives me a different amount, possibly because one is for ... | |
| Air Box and Idle Problem | 7/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Yamaha XS650 Special that I've been rebuilding. I've noticed that there are two hoses ... A: Jeremiah, that tube is for the engine breather. It hooks onto the top of the engine at the rear ... | |
| yamaha 750 fuel | 7/6/2007 |
| Q: My Husband has a 1977 Yamaha 750. It idles very high when stopped. After adjusting the carbs it will ... A: Shannon, -I suspect the slides in the carbs may be sticking. They have vacuum operated carb slides. ... | |
| mikuni carbs | 7/6/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I need your help again. I have a 1976 honda cb360T. I recently bought the mikuni 32mm round ... A: Jim, -remove your old carbs and cables. You have to remove the screws on the throttle housing and ... | |
| 1981 Honda CB750K- brakes | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: I am having two problems: I snapped my front brake lever in half, so I went to get a new one from my ... A: Alex, maybe you can take the broken pieces in and have the parts guy see if he can match it up with ... | |
| 1983 midnight virago 750 | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: starter does and always has made bad grinding noise took to sho ,they said this model is known for ... A: Jesse, -yes, you are exactly right. The gear gets flat and it doesn't engage properly. -You can ... | |
| r1 problem | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: i have a 2001 yamaha R1. when i run it for a while it breaks up bad. its running at normal temp.when ... A: Steve, have you tried reading a new set of spark plugs, if so, do they look black=rich or light ... | |
| cr 80 1997 | 7/4/2007 |
| Q: my nethews bike runs for five minutes then cuts out despite the number of plugs we fit to it we have ... A: Al, -resistance is futile, I mean resistance checks. Often parts will not work even if the ... | |
| throttle won't reverse itself | 7/4/2007 |
| Q: I am having 1989 honda CBR, and throttle won't reverse itself. When I rolled on throttle and ... A: Don, -check the throttle spring, but most likely it is the throttle tube or grip sticking. ... | |
| problems | 7/3/2007 |
| Q: i have got an 82 Honda CB 650. got it from a friend and it had been sitting around. i cleaned out ... A: Spencer, sounds like a stuck throttle slide, make sure the slides are free and cutaway to the back. ... | |
| sunken gas tank | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: Wayne, I would like your help with this problem. I have a 2002 Yamaha v-star 650 classic. The fuel ... A: Bill, you definitely have some serious vacuum there. Tanks often have a vent tube somewhere,it ... | |
| battery keeps dying | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: 2000 suzuke dr650 i replaced the battery and rectifier and the battery still drains down ... A: Dennis, have you checked the charging output? It should have close to 13.5 volts on a fast idle at ... | |
| CB360T carbs | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1976 Honda CB360T that currently has Keihin CV carbs model 745B. I have modified the ... A: Jim, if they are made for use on the 360, they should fit without much trouble. Just measure your ... | |
| 89 VT600C engine/oil issue | 7/1/2007 |
| Q: On the way back from a day trip, my engine started making more of a racket than usual, then it died. ... A: Matt, was the bike out of oil? It may have seized the engine if so. If the starter can't turn it ... | |
| '03 HONDA xr50 | 7/1/2007 |
| Q: Im having trouble getting this bike to start. I cleaned the carburater, got a new spark plug, and ... A: Alex, have you checked for a good flow of gas from the gas tank? Idle jets are small and need to be ... | |
| Over heating | 7/1/2007 |
| Q: I have Yamaha 2000 R1 yzf I start up and am riding 30 minutes go by then i stop turn the off the ... A: Ernest, was the bike overheating? If so you need to check the cooling system, radiator, thermostat, ... | |
| Hrad start Honda 550F '74 if left sitting | 6/30/2007 |
| Q: It has 23K miles and is immaculate condition. If the bike sits for a few days its very very hard to ... A: Ken, good bike, usually. -I suggest first doing a compression check, as this will affect ... | |
| CB360 No spark | 6/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1976 CB360T. I have new points, new points base plate, new coils, new plugs but I have no ... A: Jim, -sometimes new points have a waxy coating, make sure the contacts are clean. -make sure the ... | |
| starting bike | 6/29/2007 |
| Q: i got a new button with two wire. hook one wire to the R/we wire on the solenoid. and one wire to a ... A: Randy, -When you click the button to the solenoid on there should be power on both of the big ... | |
| 2000 V star elec problems | 6/29/2007 |
| Q: I have got a 2000 V star 1100 I got it in 2001 I have replaced the head light two time and the ... A: Phillip, It sounds like it is charging excessively. Should have about 13.5 volts at the battery when ... | |
| starting bike | 6/28/2007 |
| Q: trying to use a button connected directly to sollenoid.i ground the b/w . mounted a push button to ... A: Randy, -does your button have two wires? -Hook one wire to the r/w on the solenoid and try hooking ... | |
| 1983 Honda V 45 forks seal replacement | 6/28/2007 |
| Q: What is the procedure for changing the seals and dust covers on the forks? Thanks, Royal A: Royal, -remove the drain screws and pump the fork oil out. -you must block the bike up good so you ... | |
| clutch not working | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: the clutch master cylinder was empty when i got the bike so i filled it with dot4 and bled it. the ... A: Dan, likely air is in the system, if you see no leaks. Fill the reservoir with dot4 brake fluid and ... | |
| 98 honda xr100r | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: replacing the timing chain/need timing mark and how to line up marks thank you A: Tammy.. Honda singles usually have an "T" mark down below on the flywheel or rotor. It lines up with ... | |
| RC51 Clutch Master Cylinder Replacement | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: I have to replace the clutch master cylinder on my 2001 RC51. Is there a bleeder screw on it ... A: Troy, Assemble the master cylinder as usual but leave the lower banjo bolt out. Fill the reservoir ... | |
| 1975 honda cb200T | 6/26/2007 |
| Q: bike has been sitting for awhile. I successfully recharged the battery and when I went to try and ... A: Richard, you shouldn't have any gas leaks, likely the carbs are clogged up with dried up gas ... | |
| starting bike | 6/26/2007 |
| Q: 81 yamaha 920rh virago chain drive has key but have to use a screwdriver on the solenoid to start. ... A: Randy, normally the solenoid wires go to a small relay box under the seat and from there to the ... | |
| 1982 V45 Magna | 6/26/2007 |
| Q: I am currently working on a 1982 V45 Magna.It will run good for about 4-6 miles or until warmed up, ... A: Kyle, here are some things to check: Gas tank vents plugged in cap or tank preventing fuel flow. ... | |
| heat light comes on then back fires | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: My bike is a kawasaki 1500 Vulcan, 2004. While on a trip my heat light would come on just for a few ... A: Ron, It could be electrical or a lack of fuel. check for loose connections, start with the battery ... | |
| Rear Tire clearance '81 Yamaha 850 Special | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: Good day. I just took over my son's 1981 Yamaha 850 Special and he pointed out that the rear tire ... A: Ken, on shaft drives, there is usually no adjustments to make. Other than something being out of ... | |
| 1972 Honda SL125 | 6/24/2007 |
| Q: I purchased a 1972 Honda SL125 cleaned the carb real well and it started first kick! I bought a ... A: Robert, sometimes reading the spark plug can indicate the problem. Black=rich, whitish=lean, ... | |
| 1980 gs550 clutch frozen | 6/24/2007 |
| Q: do i need a new clutch or s this somethng that i can free up ? the rod will pull out but will not ... A: Pete, you may have to disassemble the clutch and check the plates for rust or warping. Sometimes ... | |
| 1987 Yamaha Virago 1100 | 6/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a starter problem only when the bike is hot. I can ride about 20 mins and shut the bike off ... A: Al, is it the starter that quits turning or the bike just won't start? The heat may be affecting the ... | |
| 76 cb750 f main fuse | 6/23/2007 |
| Q: Main fuse getting hot or blowing. 7,000 miles. all original. great condition. I know they had a ... A: Kenny, -some of the fuse holders tend to fail and get hot as per the recalls. You could try splicing ... | |
| dirtbike timing issue | 6/23/2007 |
| Q: there are a bunch of marks on the flywheel at the bottom of the engine and the top sprocket has one ... A: Chris, I would need the year, make, and model of bike to give an accurate answer. If it has an "F" ... | |
| 1970 Honda 175 Idle | 6/23/2007 |
| Q: I am a novice mechanic and I just recently resurected a 1970 Honda Scrambler SL 175. When I kick ... A: Michael, -Check the carb throttle slides, make sure they have the cutaway at the back and are not ... | |
| carborater self-reving | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1985 Yamaha 700cc Maxim. When I back off the throttle to shift the RPMs go up instead of ... A: Tom, -make sure the throttle cable has a small amount of free play or slack. The adjusters are near ... | |
| Removing a battery for charging | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: I need to remove the battery on my Suzuki VS800 Intruder. My question is how the heck do you remove ... A: Randy, Hope you can follow this for battery removal: 1. Place the bike on the sidestand. 2. Remove ... | |
| clutch | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: found oil glass,2000 yamaha 1100 vstar ,shaft drive ,clutch handle pulled all way in ,if move bike ... A: David, additives probably won't help and may just cause other clutch problems. There is a little ... | |
| clutch | 6/21/2007 |
| Q: have a 2000 xvs1100 yamaha v star ,,go to shift to first and stalls ,clutch seems not to ... A: David, -your clutch lever should have about 1/8"-1/4" free play. Sometimes the clutch plates can ... | |
| Starter Solenoid Problem | 6/21/2007 |
| Q: I have an '81 Honda CX500. The starter solenoid quit so I replaced it. After three weeks the ... A: Bill, some models may have a clutch safety switch. Also there is a disconnect switch which turns off ... | |
| gas/oil mixtures | 6/21/2007 |
| Q: Hi I was wondering what the proper gas to oil mixture to use in a 1989 RM80? A: John, a quality 2 stroke oil and about 30 gas to 1 part oil. That is about 4 ounces oil in a 128 ... | |
| Engine dies when standing up bike | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: ...I have an 85 yamaha FZ750 and after stalling in 1st at a traffic light,i've been unable to get ... A: Alexandre, -sounds like the fuel pump or the reserve mode sensor in the gas tank or the fuel ... | |
| Honda 65 timing issues | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: I have been given a honda 65 to get running.The bike has sat for 25 years.I cleaned ... A: Kent, I would suggest taking the flywheel off and making sure the points are clean and flat. If they ... | |
| Honda CRF 100F | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: My bike bogs when I crack the throttle. We have had the carb apart, it is clean. We are wondering ... A: Ryley, -the float height or level as it just closes the float needle valve should be around 14mm or ... | |
| 1994 fzr 1000 axcell/stall problem | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: my fzr has a vance and hine slip on, stage to jet kit,k&n filter, new plugs, oil change,cleaned the ... A: Mark, Is the compression equal on all cylinders? Should be around 150 psi or higher. Have you ... | |
| 1983 honda cb1000c custom | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: Do you know all the settings for like the fuel/air mixture, idle, and stuff like that cause i just ... A: Josh, Have you checked that the slides are moving freely and rubber is not cracked? Is there fuel in ... | |
| not holding charge | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: I have an 85' Honda Nighthawk 650 that will run great with a freshly charged battery, but it will ... A: Chris, have you checked if the bike is charging? Should have about 13.5 volts at the battery on a ... | |
| Too much fuel in the carbs | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: I just got an 86 Honda VFR 700F, and after a carb cleaning and rebuild, here's what's happening: ... A: Bill, most cycle fuel pumps are fairly low pressure, like 3 lbs or so. A new pump may help, but I ... | |
| shocks and exhaust | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: I own a 82 Honda v45 vf750 magna. Shocks are the two cylinder type, can not get a good ride.Theres ... A: Randy, have you checked your tire pressure, maybe a lower pressure would soften the ride a bit. Your ... | |
| 92 kawasaki throttle screw issue | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: i just recently purchased this bike i and i accidently turned the throttle screw now the bike bare ... A: Robert, I'm not sure which screw you turned, but try turning it anti-clockwise or to the left to ... | |
| Vulcan 700 one cylinder quits running | 6/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a 84 vulcan 700, cranks fine and runs fine for the first 1/4 mile and then loses power big ... A: Larry, Here are some random ideas I had, can you switch coils? Otherwise it sounds like it may be ... | |
| 1980 Suzuki gs550e | 6/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1980 Suzuki gs550e Running on three cylinders. have cleaned the carbs twice. good spark ... A: Dan, is the carb slide free and the rubber diaphragm good? Have you tried spraying wd40 or such into ... | |
| 81 Suzuki rear tire | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Suzuki GS450T that I just bought and the rear tire needs replacing. I have the new ... A: Michael, you have to get the axle out to remove the wheel. Can you loosen any of the exhaust bolts ... | |
| Kawaski 1500 | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1997 Vulcan 1500. The + battery terminal shorted and destroyed the battery. Everything ... A: Bill, should be about a 10 amp fuse on the horn circuit. Check that fuse for power, then that wire ... | |
| 1983 suzuki GS850L | 6/15/2007 |
| Q: My bike has only 9,000 miles,and this year it started leaking gas from the carbs. It starts ok with ... A: Don, have you checked the carb slides to make sure they slide freely and if diaphragms are rubber ... | |
| 1981 Honda CX500C Idle | 6/15/2007 |
| Q: This bike was recently taken apart to fix a leaky valve in the back of the engine. Before this, it ... A: Scott, I believe the idle is set from underneath and between the carbs. Should be a little star-like ... | |
| 86 Honda Nighthawk 700s | 6/15/2007 |
| Q: Its popping in and out and back in when shifting into 2nd gear and 2nd gear only. All other gears ... A: Fred, it is likely wear on the shift fork and or sliding gear dogs. There is a detent wheel in the ... | |
| backfiring shadow 750 | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: cheers mate. i got an 83 honda shadow 750, came with some kind of aftermarket pipes to go onto it as ... A: Dennis, the most common reason for backfiring is changing to aftermarket pipes I believe. Most of ... | |
| Triumph 600 | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: Would replacing the head gasket on a triumph 600 require all of the valves to be removed also? how ... A: Brandon, no, you don't have to remove the valves. You should be able to remove the head after ... | |
| 1982 Yamaha Maxim 400 Question... | 6/13/2007 |
| Q: I just got a (supposedly) 1982 Yamaha Maxim 400. I'm trying to find a set of coil packs (with ... A: Sonya, the 10 digit being a "C" means it is a 1982 model. The Maxim officially came out in 83 but ... | |
| Kawasaki 1500 classic | 6/13/2007 |
| Q: I tried to start my bike and fuel started to flow out a hose located on a clip under my seat, where ... A: Gary, Is this hose open or closed on the end? If it is open it is likely the gas tank vent or drain ... | |
| 1983 Goldwing clutch problem | 6/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a problem with my '83 Honda Goldwing. The problem started 2-3 weeks ago when my clutch ... A: Michael, Have you checked the cable? Otherwise it could be the little worm-like device at the bottom ... | |
| 1980 cb650 problem | 6/13/2007 |
| Q: i have a honda cb 650 that runs fairly good but has a problem idling although it does idle fine with ... A: Travis, is the idle speed set high enough? Have you tried replacing the spark plugs with some (my ... | |
| Spark Plug problems | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1990 Suzuki GSX Katana 600F that isn't turning over. I have compression and have checked ... A: Dustin, the voltage drop is sometimes too much when starting and the ignition can fail. Make sure ... | |
| Lowering a Suzuki GN250 | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: My short legged sister has a 2002 Suzuki GN250 as a first bike. Now she can reach the ground with ... A: John, Have you thought about replacing the seat with a lower profile model or less padding? This ... | |
| timing for 1988 suzuki DR200J | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: i was wondering if you could tell me what positions the two gears or shafts have to be. or if you ... A: Thomas, I am unsure of what gears you mean exactly, Is the engine apart and you need to time the ... | |
| 82 suzuki gs650 | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: I'm having a problem with my bike not running properly When i got it it was not running so i removed ... A: Adam, I would start with new spark plugs unless you know they are good. Does the bike run better ... | |
| 1981 Honda Goldwing 1100 | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: have rebuilt carbs, replaced all air cutoff valves. Still have very serious rich condition. All ... A: Michael, some brands of rebuild kits are not calibrated well. Have the tapered needles been changed ... | |
| Help with clutch on 1973 Suzuki TS100 Honcho | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: I need help fixing the clutch on my 1973 Suzuki Ts 100 Honch. Im only 15 years old trying to restore ... A: Joe, can you describe the problem you are having with the clutch? If it slips, it is the cable or ... | |
| Taking the carbs off a Yamaha XS850 G | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: I need to get the carbs off this bike, and, I can tell that the air box needs to come off, but, I ... A: Jeff, Pods sound good after doing this job a few times. Remove Tank and loosen the carb clamps to ... | |
| honda kickstart | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1976 honda cj360t. I am trying to replace the kickstart shaft since it broke completely ... A: Joel, the kickstart shaft and gears are held in by circlips on the inside of the case. The lower ... | |
| Honda V 45 | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: What is the procedure to replace rear brake shoes? A: Royal, remove brake rod nut and hub anchor bolt, remove axle and rear wheel. Remove old brake shoes ... | |
| CM450E | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 Honda CM450E, I have torn it apart and honed out the cylinders, replaced the cylinder ... A: Rob, Torque is mainly dictated by the bolt sizes. 6mm bolt = 6-9 ft/lbs. 8mm bolt = 12-16 ft/lbs. ... | |
| Yamaha 400 Maxim | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a nice low mileage Yamaha xs400 Maxim, 1982. I am just about to change the head gasket and ... A: Michael, always good to check or maybe lap the valves while it's apart and check the valve guides ... | |
| 78 honda 50cc cycle won't stay running | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to see why my sons 78 honda 50cc cycle won't stay running. I have checked the Carb ... A: Julie and Dad, Is there a good gas flow coming to the carb? Check for any air leaks around the carb. ... | |
| clarion type II radio | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: The presets and clock won't keep after I turn the ignition off,I checked the main fuses and they are ... A: Ted, I can only suggest having a "radio" man look at it as they were hard to get info on even many ... | |
| XVZ1200 Warning Light | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: I own a Yamaha XVZ1200 1984. Last trip my warning light started bflashing every 10 to 15 minutes I ... A: Michel, some of the sensors for warning lights can be sensitive and/or faulty i suppose. Sometimes ... | |
| Having carb problems on 91 suzukigs500e | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: The question I have is about my 91 gs500e. First of all it fouls plugs out quickly. Secondly it bogs ... A: Shawn, sounds like it is running rich, have you tried changing the air filter? Is the bike running ... | |
| kz440 running lean in left cyl. | 6/9/2007 |
| Q: I will start with the spark plug, it has a white electrode and black on the outside. I have a vacuum ... A: Steve, Have the carb jets been cleaned? Is the left carb getting a good fuel supply? Check the fuel ... | |
| 1985 Honda 110 ATC 3 Wheeler | 6/9/2007 |
| Q: I don't have an owners manual for the ATC I just bought, and am wondering how to tighten the drive ... A: Curt, the rear bearing carrier is used to adjust the chain tension. On the left side at the bottom ... | |
| Rear brake light | 6/8/2007 |
| Q: Recently my brother in law dropped my bike (1989 Yamaha Virago 750) and broke the brake foot pedal. ... A: Joe, Check for 12 volts at the rear brake light switch, down near the brake pedal. Should be brown ... | |
| Misfire GSXR1100W | 6/8/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1995 GSXR1100 and have a problem with the running of the engine. Let me start at the ... A: Rick, Midrange flat spots have been a problem for some GSXR's. Possible causes are vacuum or intake ... | |
| DS 80 oil question | 6/8/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1989 Suzuki ds 80. Unlike other two strokes, instead of putting premix in the gas tank you ... A: Nathaniel, Most definitely mix some oil in your gas before you do major damage to your new top end. ... | |
| motor won't idle | 6/8/2007 |
| Q: 1980 Goldwing that will not idle. The choke must be on if you do not have the motor at at least ... A: Shawn, if the bike needs the choke on, then the low speed or idle jets are likely plugged up from ... | |
| 2004 Rebel not Starting. | 6/8/2007 |
| Q: I just recently bought a 2004 Honday Rebel. The person who had it before me kept it garaged. It ... A: John, See if you have 12volts going to the starter when you push the starter button. If so, then ... | |
| fowl plugs | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: have 2003 honda vt1100 sabre.3 months ago it was running fine,now it has fowled out plugs and breaks ... A: Johnny, having little backpressure makes the mixture leaner because you are getting more air than ... | |
| 1995 honda VT1100c2 ACE | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: My big fat foot broke the gear shifter off my ACE. Looks like i may have broken that shaft. Is it ... A: Mike, hope your foot is okay. That shaft is part of the shifter assembly, it is called gearshift ... | |
| fowl plugs | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: have 2003 honda vt1100 sabre.3 months ago it was running fine,now it has fowled out plugs and breaks ... A: Johnny, has the fuel system been cleaned, almost sounds like water in the gas. Are the plugs fouled ... | |
| safety switches | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: 1988 radian.....sat in barn for a few years,started up 1nce a year .i got it home, won't start.took ... A: Bob, if your starter seems to work when you bypass the relay then check if power is getting to the ... | |
| lost power !?!?!?!?1? | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: ........95 Kawasaki ninja 250ex........... i was riding my bike to work, and as i pulled up someone ... A: Chris, Have you checked your gas tank venting? Sometimes they get plugged and create a vacuum in the ... | |
| 2001 honda rebel | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: My wife has a 2001 Honda Rebel with 2050 miles on it. We just purchased it. The neutral light is on ... A: You are probably on the right track. Neutral switch is under left rear engine cover, little plastic ... | |
| fuses | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1976 Honda CB360T. In the fuse box there are 3 fuses. My 15A fuse keeps blowing. The bike ... A: Jim, the 15A fuse I think you are talking about goes from the battery to the ignition switch. You ... | |
| 1981 Honda CB750C - Exhaust popping | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a 81 Honda CB750C which had sat for about a year. My friends took apart the carbs ... A: Kenny, it wouldn't hurt to have the carbs synched, the cb750 runs a little rough when the carbs are ... | |
| 1983 suzuki GS850L | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: My bike has only 9,000 miles,and this year it started leaking gas from the carbs. It starts ok with ... A: Don, can you tell if the gas is coming from the carbs for sure? You don't have a leaky gas tap or ... | |
| Fuel problems? | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: Hey, Wayne. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Hopefully you'll be able to help ... A: Rich, I think you changed your fuel separator, it is for the emissions, to vent the gas tank of ... | |
| POWER TURNING OFF | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: I hAVE A 2003 SUZIKI INTRUDER 800, I CAN DRIVE IT FOR 4 DAYS WITH NO PROBLEM THAN ALL OF A SUDEN IN ... A: Ralph, Sounds like a bad ground or short somewhere on the right blinker wire Are the bulb sockets in ... | |
| honda cm400t 1979 | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: i was looking into buying a 1979 honda cm400t but was not sure how hard it was to find parts if i ... A: Brian, I do mostly repair questions so parts finding is a whole different area of expertise. I ... | |
| honda xr 350 running poorly | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: "hey guys. i got a 1984 honda xr350. Bought it last week and it burnt oil so i brought it in had the ... A: Do you have some mufflers on it? It may need some backpressure. Check your intake and exhaust for ... | |
| 1983 suzuki GS850L | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: My bike has only 9,000 miles,and this year it started leaking gas from the carbs. It starts ok with ... A: Don, your carbs shouldn't leak at all. It sounds like the carb float needle/valves are either worn ... | |
| 1979 Honda CX500 small problems | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: i just bought this model and it runs farely well... i just have a few questions 1. the blinker ... A: Ryan, the left signal light is not flashing due to low battery, wrong bulbs or possibly corroded ... | |
| Re jetting carbs? | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: Hey Wayne i need some advice. I have a 1982 yamaha xj 750 maxim with 5,300 miles on it. Its been ... A: Dean, rejetting the carbs is not always necessary, but it depends on the pipe you buy. It may be ... | |
| 1981 Honda CB900C intermittent problem | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: This motorcycle usually runs great, but occasionally will cut-out and die. It will barely restart ... A: Steve, Have you checked the gas tank vent? If it is plugged it will not let fuel flow freely. Open ... | |
| 1981 honda cb custom 900 ? battery charging | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: Can a motorcycle battery be charged with a car battery charger? Thanks, Larry McDowell A: Larry, the problem with car chargers is they charge at a higher amperage. You can use it for a short ... | |
| 1971 honda z50ak2 mini trail | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: i am restoring this bike & i would appreciate it if you could tell me where to align the flywheel & ... A: Glen, Check the points to see if the contacts are flat, you can file them a little if need be. Set ... | |
| maybe you'll have fun answering this.... | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: I don't know where to turn. Hopefully you can shed some light. I currently ride a 1995 triumph ... A: Frankie, I know your plight, I have often been tempted and have sometimes fell prey to the "other" ... | |
| 1986 SEi (Electrical) | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: I could really use some help. I recently found an 86' SEi Gold Wing in really great shape. 70K and ... A: Big Larry, some Gold Wings have a reserve lighting unit that switches brake lights on when ... | |
| Carb rejetting | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 650 V Star and need a little guidance installing a jet kit. If you have any advice i would ... A: Casey, you might find this helpful, http://www.vstar1100.com/1100jetting.pdf It applies to the 1100, ... | |
| honda trac system | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: I was reading something one of the experts wrote awhile ago. Sorry I forgot who it was, but it was a ... A: Russell, On the Honda anti-dive TRAC system one of the two front brake calipers is hinged behind the ... | |
| Gas kills the engine. | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1983 Honda V45 Magna with 21,000 kms on it. It has been parked in the garage for 2 years. ... A: Kirk, very likely the idle and possibly other jets are plugged from sitting so long. The gas turns ... | |
| 1980 Suzuki gs550e Carb | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a 1980 Suzuki 550e, and i need to clean the carbs. Is there a site where i can find ... A: Daniel, I would recommend getting a shop manual from repairmanuals.com or such. You can remove the ... | |
| 1986 Virago 750 - Dead Battery/Loss of Power | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I just bought this bike and it seems as if the battery power is drained/depleted in some way. I ... A: Jen, have you checked all the fuses? The battery voltage should read 13.2 to 13.8 volts when the ... | |
| 1993 Kawasaki 750 Vulcan | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: Headlight keeps blowing fuse when you switch on. Any ideas. A: Sounds like a bad connection or short in the power going to the headlight. I think the wires may be ... | |
| GL650 Starting Problem | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: Starter turns engine over. Rather than starting, the engine gives periodic backfires. Shop has ... A: Are the compression readings ok? Does it have spark? Are the plugs black (rich) or tan (ok), white ... | |
| Honda GL1100 signal lights | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: The turn signal lights on my 1983 GL1100 are not working. Horn, headlight, radio, etc all work ... A: David, Look under your left tank cover for the flasher. It is square with a couple of wires on it. ... | |
| electrial (turning signals, horn, headlight) | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: My battery on my kawasaki vulcan 800A had died. I replaced it with a new battery and now my horn ... A: Sounds like a loose connector somewhere. Check around the battery for any connections that are bad ... | |
| spark plug issues | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: i have got a suzuki pe400 two stroke,I'm having a bit of a problem with spark plug failure,it will ... A: John, try changing the brand of gas and use 87 octane. Then buy an NGK b8es plug. The heat range you ... | |
| Gpz 1100 1996 kaw. | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: Accelerating in any gear motor is bogging , idles fine at low rpm. Plugs bad or choke sticking?? A: Mark, check your plug color, that is a quick way to find out if you are running rich (black) or ... | |
| 1985 ninja 900 | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: . I have a 1985 gpz900 ninja. i got it in March of this yr. it ran great and i ran 4 tanks of gas ... A: Jamie, first thing to check if you want a good running bike is the compression, it should be at the ... | |
| 1981 Yamaha Maxim Not Starting | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: I just bought my first motorcycle almost a month ago. It was running fine until about two weeks ... A: Tim, It sounds like it turns over a little fast. You might want to have the cylinder compression ... | |
| MOTORCYCLE ENGINE | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: During riding when i give the throttle gas to excelerate hard or fast the engine will rev up but the ... A: Andre, sounds like your clutch is slipping. Make sure your clutch cable has some free play, check ... | |
| Cb750k fork oil | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: i am working on a cb350k and have fitted cb750 forks with disc front end. Want to change the fork ... A: David, if you are just changing the fork oil, they take 155cc or 5.2 oz per fork. If you have had ... | |
| Gas Leak | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1997 Kawasaki Ninja 500ex. I have had it for 4 days. I have filled the gas tank twice, ... A: Kyle, 1.I suspect the petcock or gas tap first. Sometimes rust gets in these and the fuel filter. ... | |
| wireing problem | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: suzuki vs 750 1989 bike seems to have a problem with grounding 12 volts running through what should ... A: Mark, not sure if I have enough information to figure this out. If your positive battery terminal ... | |
| valve timing | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: I have an '85 Kawasaki ZN1300. The cam chain tensioner failed during a start and the cams jumped ... A: Bill, the dimples usually go away from each other or the intake back, the exhaust forward. Just look ... | |
| Stuck head cylinder cover | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: I am looking to replace some leaking gaskets on my 1975 cb360t, but cannot remove the head cylinder ... A: Jack, this is an age old problem with motorcycles. It sounds like you have all the bolts out which ... | |
| kawaski vulcan 800 cc 1999 | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: when should the fan run? sometimes, not often, the bike will kill when in neutral when I put the ... A: Heather, yes, the fan can run often and is usually loud too. It should come on if you do alot of ... | |
| 1985 Goldwing ignition | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: When I turn my ignition switch to the on position, nothing lights up meaning the instrument lights. ... A: Eddie, I would first check all your fuses, it sounds like a main fuse might be gone. Double check ... | |
| 1984 honda trx 200 | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: i have had this bike since i was a little boy and parked it when i bought a new one any way about a ... A: Chris, try checking the magneto or flywheel for rust, if it has been sitting the magnets on the ... | |
| compression pressure problem | 5/28/2007 |
| Q: i know that you are expert in older bikes, but i have a problem with a '00 Yamaha R6. I hope you can ... A: insufficient valve clearance can lower your compression. Also, stuck or worn piston rings and/or ... | |
| 1997 Honda Shadow VLX 600 - no headlights, no crank - new battery | 5/28/2007 |
| Q: I have tail, turn signal, and instrument panel lights, but no crank and no headlight. I can push ... A: Jennifer, a black/red wire goes from the fuse box up to the starter button switch on the bars, then ... | |
| Ninja Fuel Tank Leaking | 5/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1993 Kawasaki Ninja EX250. I purchased it at a government auction and have been giving it ... A: Tracy, yes, the holes are supposed to be sealed, Kawasaki even recalled some later models because ... | |
| 1975 Honda CB400F | 5/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1975 Honda CB400F Super Sport motorcycle. Recently, I changed the spark plugs, oil, ... A: Chris, have you checked to see if it has spark to the spark plugs? I would check that the points ... | |
| CRANKCASE BREATHER | 5/27/2007 |
| Q: Rob A: Rob, I would recommend installing a breather kit, I don't think it's done any damage but it is good ... | |
| Heavy carbon buildup | 5/27/2007 |
| Q: Helping brother-in-law with a 1983 Honda 650 Nighthawk. It had been completely gone over about 6 yrs ... A: Joe, get the engine running and warmed up, then get a spray bottle and fill it with water. Let the ... | |
| my triumph thunderbird | 5/27/2007 |
| Q: I have been riding and about 5 - 10 times now and it will start to hesitate and then Not respond to ... A: Kate, you may have gas in the tank but it is not getting to the engine. I suggest checking the ... | |
| Yamaha V Max | 5/26/2007 |
| Q: Starter appears bad. Whats involved in removing/installing starter on 1992 Yamaha V-Max? A: Ron, the starter has two bolts and a wire on it. It is on the front left engine case. You may need ... | |
| 1969 Honda CT90 | 5/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a 69 ct90, it run fine,until i put it in gear. Then it acts like the brake are on. I can put ... A: Glenn, it sounds to me like it may be low on power. Does it seem to have good compression? You may ... | |
| 1974 cb450 ignition coils | 5/26/2007 |
| Q: I read an earlier post to honda 450's and coils. I have a 1974 cb450 I am working on, and one of the ... A: Any 12 volt motorcycle coil with about 4-5 ohms resistance between the blue (contact points)wire and ... | |
| Bleeding fluid | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1990 zx7 and it was leaking fluid for about a week or so and i started the and it started ... A: John, if the clutch master or slave cylinder was leaking it probably needs repair or replacement or ... | |
| motorcycle 1985 v-45 Honda | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: I had carbs rebuilt by classic carbs , new tank, fuel pump and components, bike runs real well at ... A: Ted, It sounds lean at mid-throttle. You could try raising the carb needles a notch by lowering the ... | |
| Battery not charging Marauder | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: My battery on my 99 Suzuki Marauder is not charging. On bikebandit.com the electrical schematic does ... A: No, the control unit is not the stator. The coil assy, IGNIT is for your ignition system not the ... | |
| Honda won't start | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: 1985 honda shadow 500. I bought it cheap, tuned it up, bought some missing peices and it was running ... A: Any intake air leak will give you a bad idle. If you found rubber in the carb it sounds like your ... | |
| cm400 bolt on hardtail | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1980 cm400e and would like to install a bolt on hardtail. I have seen them sold for cb350 ... A: Billy, You could probably fabricate one but it needs to be professionally welded. I don't know of ... | |
| Battery not charging Marauder | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: My battery on my 99 Suzuki Marauder is not charging. On bikebandit.com the electrical schematic does ... A: David, After checking all your fuses, connections, battery terminals, battery etc. You will need to ... | |
| 1982 Honda V45 Magna Clutch | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased a V45 Magna and had to take apart and clean the master cylinder and slave ... A: Levi, other than a mechanical problem with the master or slave cylinder, the only thing I can ... | |
| Clutch adjustment | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: 86 Honda Magna 750 - clutch tension gone after bike has been idle for several months this ... A: Tom, the clutch is likely hydraulic, check the little brass insert near the lever pivot. It can wear ... | |
| 1966 Honda dream benly | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: Where can I find a petcock for a 1966 Honda dream benly Ca 95? A: Blake, I am more into repair than parts finding, but you can check with these places, they might be ... | |
| 1997 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 Popping Exhaust | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: My Marauder has cobra slip-ons and valves were recently adjusted. Pilot screw is set at 2.5 turns ... A: Mike, When the needle goes up the fuel mix gets richer, needle down makes it leaner. Usually this ... | |
| 1970 honda QA 50 No Spark | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: I have an old Honda QA50 that I am going to begin to restore. Among other problems, it does not ... A: Dave, I think it has a flywheel magneto type ignition under the left engine cover. That means you ... | |
| 91 kawasaki 600r | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: Changed my oil before riding for the first time after winter. I noticed that the oil was half ... A: Mike, sputter and backfire means you ran out of gas for some reason. I suspect a plugged gas cap ... | |
| Honda won't start | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: 1985 honda shadow 500. I bought it cheap, tuned it up, bought some missing peices and it was running ... A: Jesse, Still sounds like some plugged jets in the carb, probably the main jet, usually near the ... | |
| Bike | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: I Have Some Kind Of Old Pedal Motorbike....When i try and start it ti kindof shoots oil out of the ... A: Dave, it sounds like it is probably flooded with gas or oil. Do you know what year, make or model it ... | |
| Honda V65 Magna Steering Wobble | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: I have an 85 V65 Magna that has a wobble that is getting progressively worse. Last year I had the ... A: Dean, this is a problem with Magnas, could be the forks or frame flexing. Check the steering head ... | |
| 1999 suzuki katana | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1999 suzuki katana it has a vortex keyless gas cap.My problem is when its hot out side and ... A: Philip, It sounds like the vortex cap does not have a vent to keep vacuum/pressure from building up. ... | |
| 1999 Suzuki gsxr750 | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 99 gsxr750 that runs hot but doesnt seem to be overheating.But stalls out on me starts to ... A: it sounds pretty hot, does coolant come out the overflow? The radiator cap is a good place to start. ... | |
| Bleeding Brakes | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 97 Honda Magna 750 which is getting a new master cylinder for the front brake. I feel ... A: Nathan, keep the master cylinder topped up with fluid as you bleed the lines. You can hook a small ... | |
| speedo | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1982 kawasaki kz1100-d1 spectra. The speedometer does not work. It has an electronic sensor ... A: Mike, If you are sure the parts are correct and working, I would suspect a lack of power to the ... | |
| 1974 Honda CB (or CL?) 360 | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: Was helping a friend with their bike recently and together we finally were able to get it started ... A: I have a weird feeling that the engine is stuck or seized by your description. Can you turn the ... | |
| 1997 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 Popping Exhaust | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: My Marauder has cobra slip-ons and valves were recently adjusted. Pilot screw is set at 2.5 turns ... A: Mike, I think a max of 3.5 or so on the pilot would be worth a try, but as you mentioned it depends ... | |
| dr 200 | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: I have sealed the boot completly on the bike so the is no possible way for air to come in before the ... A: If the valve timing is off that would certainly cause problems. Even though you checked the carb, if ... | |
| head bolt torque values | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: im looking for head bolt torque specifications for my 88 honda cr 250. can you help? A: Shawn, torque settings are determined by the size of bolt and it's strength. The manufacturer is the ... | |
| Honda CL 350 Clutch Assembly | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: When this bike is running, the clutch doesn't seem to work at all. I've tried to tighten the cable ... A: yes, the ball usually sits in the cam/lever assembly that pushes on the clutch pushrod. Loosen the ... | |
| Suzuki DR 200 | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering if a carburetor boot that is cracked would cause the machine to have ruff to no ... A: Josh, Yes, the intake boot will leak air into the engine and cause lean fuel and or overheating. ... | |
| 1997 Suzuki Marauder VZ800 Popping Exhaust | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: My Marauder has cobra slip-ons and valves were recently adjusted. Pilot screw is set at 2.5 turns ... A: Mike, This is quite common with aftermarket exhaust systems. They are not baffled as well and so ... | |
| LED Lights | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: I bought some LED lights for a 1996 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R. I plugged the light in and it will not ... A: Scott, try reversing the wires, if they flash too fast or not at all you may have to order the ... | |
| Honda CT90 | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: I have just recently started working on a honda ct90 trail bike. Unlike my past experiences with ... A: Trent, save your money, it is probably the points under the left top cover of the engine. The points ... | |
| Stripped oil drain plug threads | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I changed the oil in my 2002 Kawasaki Ninja 250 today and the drain plug threads are stripped. What ... A: Brandon, this is a matter of opinion as people have had luck with all the different methods. ... | |
| clock/radio | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: Any idea how to reset the clock on a 1995 Kawasaki Voyager? A: not sure if this is what you were asking exactly, Turn on your ignition and then the clock. When ... | |
| 1986 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1986 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 that keeps overheating. After start up the temperature slowly ... A: Have you checked the thermostat? Also, check for milky oil or white exhaust smoke which means a ... | |
| Suzuki VZ800 problem | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I am having a problem with one exhaust pipe has an 'unburnt gas odor' and gas residue, also lack of ... A: (I added an update below just in case) start with checking the compression and see if the cylinders ... | |
| Timing | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: anything would be nice to know and just to let you know some of the problems. Backfiring, not idling ... A: Josh, I don't have a manual on that bike, but it sounds more like low compression or tight valve ... | |
| no start/ backfire | 5/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2001 suzuki katana 600. I just pulled the bike out of storage from the winter, I put the ... A: If it runs ok off and on I would suspect the ignition not the carbs. Sometimes the starter can draw ... | |
| Ninja Balance shaft timing | 5/18/2007 |
| Q: About 6 months ago I layed down my 91 Ninja ex500 at a low speed on the drivers side. When I went to ... A: I believe the balancer is driven by a gear on the right side of the engine and runs off the ... | |
| motorcycle tire | 5/18/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering what would be the widdest tire i could put on my 1993 honda cb750 nighthawk without ... A: It would be best to measure the space between the swingarm and then measure some tires you like. ... | |
| throttle chop method | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: what is the way to accomplish a plug read by the above method, saw it somewhere. Thx. A: plugs will tell you alot about the way an engine is running. The throttle chop means to kill the ... | |
| 1974 cl 360 clutch pack | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: i just picked up a 74 cl 360 from a guy because he said he could not get the clutch pack to tighten ... A: Back off the clutch cable adjusters on the handlebars and any other adjusters you can see. Then see ... | |
| 1992 CT110 | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: i currently just rebuilt a honda ct 110 engine, and for the first time just attempted to kick it ... A: the clutch is slipping, the kickstart goes through the clutch on these models. If it has a manual ... | |
| 1973 Honda CB750 kick start | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: My CB750 motor seized and locked up the kick start. The motor is now free but I cannot kick start ... A: that doesn't sound good. Have you found the cause for the engine seizure? It may have done other ... | |
| Smokin' exhaust | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: I have an 81 Suzuki GS750E that I recently bought and when I accelerate there is gray/blue smoke ... A: check your spark plugs, see if they are black=too much gas, oily=rings or valve guides leaking, ... | |
| 1992 800 Intruder | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: Will the computer controlled electronic ignition make the ignition switch go bad? Bike won't ... A: sounds like a power shortage, possibly a relay etc. Check for power to the fuel pump, if none then ... | |
| CX 500 carbs leaking gas | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1980 Honda CX500 that's been in storage for a couple years. I put in a new battery, new ... A: I would suspect some varnish or build up around the float valve needles or worn float needle valves. ... | |
| My Sons 07 PW50 | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I'm new to working on bikes and don't know a whole lot about working on them. Only what I have read ... A: It sounds like it is not getting enough fuel. Does it keep running with the choke on? Make sure the ... | |
| Sealed Replacement Battery Won't Charge | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I couldn't get my current battery to start my 03 Ninja 636 without jumping, and would only hold a ... A: Try the charger on another battery to make sure it's ok. Get a cheap multimeter for checking voltage ... | |
| leaded or unleaded in a 72 honda 125 enduro | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1972 honda 125 enduro. I was wondering if this motorcycle was desinged for leaded or ... A: At the time the bike was made leaded gas was still in use but was pretty much taken off the market ... | |
| 1999 Honda 250 Rebel electrical problems. | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1999 Honda Rebel that unfortunately has to be kept outside year around. It has 5000 miles ... A: Get the battery checked out or try a known good battery. Check the voltage while running, it should ... | |
| 1998 Suzuki Intruder Backfire/Spit/Sputter | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1998 Suzuki Intruder VL1500 that when given more than half throttle spits and sputters and ... A: Michael, check the compression first just to make sure both cylinders are even. Sounds like an air ... | |
| leaking rear main engine seal bmw 1983 r65 | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I replaced seal about 1993, lasted2004,leaked after 1st ride 2004, just took apart, could i have ... A: It is possible for seals to fail from bad installation or damaged shaft or poor seal quality. Also, ... | |
| startor relay | 5/15/2007 |
| Q: i have a 1986 yamaha maxim x and changed the relay on it last week. i thought it was easy to do, so ... A: I am guessing you mean the relay solenoid, if so.. Universal starter relays usually have three ... | |
Motorcycle Repair
Answers by Expert:
Wayne S.
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Licensed Motorcycle Mechanic, Knowledge of motorcycles from 1960 up, Japanese, British and most other motorcycle repairs.
Experience
Worked for Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki
British: Triumph, Norton, BSA
Other: Harley, Most Scooters and Mo-Peds
Publications
Canadian Motorcycling magazine article
Education/Credentials
Licensed Motorcycle Mechanic
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