Author Topic: rode great but dead now  (Read 3461 times)

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Offline samfig

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rode great but dead now
« on: May 09, 2010, 10:00:14 PM »
hey guys,
I've only ridden about 115 miles so far this season and the bike was doing great.  I had it worked on late last summer by Motorcycle Mania in Chicago and its been great, but running a bit rich from the smell.  I haven't been able to ride it the last three weeks because of work and school so the bike just sat.  I tried to go for a ride yesterday and the damn thing wouldn't start.    Here is what I've checked:

-The battery is fine as it was on a charger.

-there is gas and its making it to the cylinder (the spark plugs smelled of gas)

- I changed the spark plugs because they all looked really fowled up (blacker than night!)

the bike "turns" (the electric starter is working) but it won't even cough.  I'm no mechanic, and I don't play one on t.v., so whats been listed above is the extent to what I know I can do so I'm kinda stuck at this point.  When I changed the first plug I wanted to make sure it sparked so I turned it on while it was out, which it literally shocked me, and was able to feel a puff of air come out of the plug's hole.  So yeah, not sure if anyone can help.  Since it was smelling a bit rich, is there anything else I should check?  Also, should I have gapped the new spark plugs?
-Sam
-1973 CB750

Offline kck3

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2010, 10:04:42 PM »
What year and make?  The plugs should be pretty close out of the package, if they are recommended plug, but you should check it before you put them in.

Offline seaweb11

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2010, 10:31:45 PM »
Try draining the bowls?  Sounds flooded, stuck float bowl,

Could be a good time to pull the carbs.

Offline samfig

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2010, 04:37:01 AM »
1974 cb550.  i may have to take a day off of work to try this out.  anyone know of any videos on the matter (draining the bowls)?
-1973 CB750

Offline samfig

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2010, 05:10:25 PM »
so how would draining the float bowls help the situation?  They must have gotten stuck somehow.  No?
-1973 CB750

Offline cb650

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2010, 05:35:47 PM »
Or the air filter is clogged.   
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Offline Hush

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2010, 06:41:50 PM »
Most Honda carbs have small brass screws in the bottom of their bowls which are easily accessed and loosened (you don't really need to take them out completely) from one side of the bike or the other.
Some older ones might have a brass bolt which you need to remove instead, either way this will let the gas flow from the carbs so either catch it in a container or do it out doors. ;D
Leave your gas tap "OFF" so only the bowls drain.
Now put the brass bolts or screw the brass screws back in, turn on your gas at the tank and see if it starts now.
Sometimes just letting the floats drop like this will clear the wee float valves and allow normal operation to resume, minute bits of rust/crap from your tank or the gas station's tanks get into our bikes this way, not much you can do about it.
Don't forget to put your spark plugs back in first. :D
To check for spark next time and avoid the nasty shock, lay the plug against the engine metal and that will act as an earth instead of you. ;D
« Last Edit: May 10, 2010, 06:43:52 PM by Hush »
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Zaipai

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2010, 07:05:13 PM »
What's odd, is he said its getting gas, it has spark and fresh plugs. Is it maybe getting too much gas?

.: Scott :.
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Offline Hush

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2010, 07:06:57 PM »
Could well be Scott, and a jammed float will supply just that...too much gas. :)
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline scottly

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2010, 07:16:52 PM »
If the plugs are "black as night", you need to replace them, or burn the black off with a propane torch. You could fix the problem that caused the rich condition, and not realize it due to the fouled plugs. Ask me how I know!  :D
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline samfig

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2010, 07:18:29 PM »
great information guys.  I'm going to work on it tomorrow after work and I'll let you guys know what happens.
-1973 CB750

Offline campbmic

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2010, 07:21:35 PM »
Just to eliminate the electrics, pull a spark plug out of the engine. Leave the cap on it and place it next to the engine. Crank the bike and the end of the spark plug that is normally in your engine should spark against the case.

Is the kill switch on?
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Offline Zaipai

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2010, 07:43:12 PM »
Could well be Scott, and a jammed float will supply just that...too much gas. :)
good to know..
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Offline samfig

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2010, 05:11:28 PM »
So I tried draining the float bowls via the drain screws but they are stuck.  They started to strip so I stopped.  What should I do?
-1973 CB750

Offline seaweb11

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2010, 05:18:07 PM »
If you have the correct screws, that sounds strange?
Spray them with some wd40......

Do you have a manual?

Have you been to the FAQ to look at one?

Offline samfig

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #15 on: May 11, 2010, 05:48:20 PM »
if its the brass screws than i'm spot on.  they're the brass screws, right?
-1973 CB750

Offline seaweb11

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #16 on: May 11, 2010, 09:26:47 PM »
You failed to answer my other 2 questions?

Do you have a manual?

Have you been to the FAQ to look at one?

Oh and a new one....  what bike what year?

 

Offline scottly

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #17 on: May 11, 2010, 09:42:03 PM »
1974 cb550. 

(seaweb, no criticism meant. Hush just busted me for missing something in a previous post :) 
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Offline samfig

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #18 on: May 11, 2010, 09:43:05 PM »
I do have the manual (original) and a Clymer one.

its a 1974 CB 550

And I have checked the FAQ but don't have the time to wade through it during the week.  
-1973 CB750

Offline scottly

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #19 on: May 11, 2010, 09:49:41 PM »
If you mean the slotted heads are starting to strip, I would recommend using the best fitting bit you can find, like the ones that come with impact drivers.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

ChortlingSandcaster

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #20 on: May 11, 2010, 09:51:47 PM »
1974 cb550.  i may have to take a day off of work to try this out.  anyone know of any videos on the matter (draining the bowls)?

Okay you have a 1974 550/4, if you look on page 3 of the 550/4 manual that is available on this site at
http://data.sohc4.net/SM500/HSM500550_2.pdf,  go to page 3 and look at the photo called "Fig. 47"
and you can see a big brass screw at the bottom of the carb float bowl.  That's the drain plug the other
fellers be talkin bout now.

Sam, brass is a soft metal.  Please let me ask you a question.  Is your flat blade screw driver one a them
bigole flatblades?   You need the biggest flat blade screwdriver fer that'n.

IT IS A BRASS screw also -- if your bigole flatblade screwdriver is in any way ROUNDED at the eges of the blade -- DONT USE IT!  

Buy if you have to a brand spankin new flatblade one of the big ones.

Then try again.  But if you used too small a blade and/or the edges of the screwdriver blade are rounded -- you might get away with it on a galvanized steel screw BUT NOT ON A BRASS SCREW.

« Last Edit: May 11, 2010, 09:54:46 PM by ChortlingSandcaster »

Offline Hush

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #21 on: May 11, 2010, 11:02:30 PM »
Actually an impact driver wouldn't be a bad selection for this, as long as you hit it spot on and don't slip. ;)
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline seaweb11

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #22 on: May 11, 2010, 11:12:09 PM »
Why on earth would a drain screw require that much force?
Sounds like fixing a flat tire with a pick axe :o  In your hands Hush, maybe, but this is a guy without the impact driver to start with I think>  no criticism meant ;)

I'm going to be to busy this week to get back to this for a while ;D


Offline scottly

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #23 on: May 11, 2010, 11:13:14 PM »
I generally use the driver as a fat handle; you can get a LOT of torque. I wouldn't hit it on a drain screw. If it's that stuck, just move on and pull the bowls.  
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline Hush

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Re: rode great but dead now
« Reply #24 on: May 11, 2010, 11:24:38 PM »
True Scott, pull the bowls and while they are off he can soak them in some #$%* to loosen the brass drains.
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!