Hey guys,
I just started working on my bike for the spring and need some advice.
First, a little background: I bought this bike in 1998 from its original owner. I had the carbs cleaned and rebuilt, and the guy replaced the airbox with pod filters. I thinkI has some other small stuff done to the bike also. I road the bike a lot for 3 or so season. During that time I really didn't do anything for the bike except change the oil every season. Lately, I've been moving around a lot and havent't been that kind to the bike( it has not been ridden much and spent several new england winters in an unheated garage).
I'm going to to get back into riding, but I'm on tight budget these dayas and I also want to learn how to more stuff on the bike.
I changed the oil and filter today, changed the gas, emptied the flow bowls in the carbs, and recharged the battery (reading 11.9 volts). I also have some new plugs that I'm going to put into the bike. I managed to get the bike to start today, but it dies after a little bit.
Here are my quick questions:
1) I'm guessing that the carbs need work again. Is there anyway I can clean them without taking them all off the bike etc. Someone suggested running some carb cleaner through a tank of gas. Does this work?
2) How can I telll if the problem is in the engine? As far as I know the bike under my ownership, has never had valve adjustment or anything like that.
3) What should be the spacing for the new plugs.
Anything else I might be forgetting about?
I can't wait to ride!!!