Author Topic: (SOLVED 8.21.11) First hiway ride problems cb550 (Read 9889 times)

Sdsbassist · « **on:** July 24, 2011, 12:20:55 PM »

Took her out for the first ride on the highway. Starts off strong. Then after about 5 miles it feels like a loss of power. It seems like some of the cylinders are running but not all. Sometime it feels like something else kicks vb in and I get a momentary boost of power but it aputters away. Im guessing carb issuea but cant be certain. Where do I start? Im pretty sure the carb boots have a small hold somewhere, but am assuming they wouldnt cause the issues as described. Thanks for any help

david 750f · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2011, 12:42:11 PM »

Check the vent in the fuel cap, make sure it is clear. You can unscrew the cap when the symptom occurs.

Gas tank full?

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2011, 12:44:25 PM »

Yea its full.it has a sportster tank but seema to have good rubber

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:26:28 PM »

So I wanted to bump and update this. Drove it today again after taking off carba replacing seals cleaning ect. Does the samr thing. When I first start riding all is well. Aftrr it gets warmes up some of the culinders seems like they fire at randon. This is only after it gts hot. Float adjustment, valves? Any thoughts appreciated

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:31:51 PM »

Is it a vented tank? The fuel is gravity fed so it needs to flow.
Have you done the "3000 mile tune up"?
If not, highly recommended so you can eliminate possible issues.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:38:56 PM »

Its an aftermarket sportster tank. How are the standard tanks vented?

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:43:20 PM »

Quote from: Sdsbassist on July 31, 2011, 03:38:56 PM

Its an aftermarket sportster tank. How are the standard tanks vented?

Through the cap. Try riding it with the cap loose to check. Did you clean both sets of jets?

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:49:50 PM »

I will. I think I cleaned them out, but my experiwnce has taught me you dont find everything on the first second third or fourth try

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:59:51 PM »

Wouldnt a vening issue cause poor firing on allcylinders?

rbmgf7 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2011, 04:29:54 PM »

Still seems like a fuel feed/carb problem.

-Check float height
-Make sure your fuel lines aren't clogged, even inside the carb.
-Check to see if your emulsion tubes are clean
-What condition are the plugs? Signs of richness? Needle height may need adjustment. May also be lean when the throttle is in the current position. I had that experience once when the bike was running lean at highway speeds an lost power. Do a plug chop.

Doubt your ignition would act up 5 miles into the ride unless you're still increasing the RPMs.

Just to be safe, get a manual and adjust in order. Overtime, you'll breeze through maintenance/troubleshooting in no time.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2011, 04:53:14 PM »

Thats the listen to use, plugs gas lines clean again. can you tell me what an emulsion tube is?. also curious what carb sync may do for this I know mine arent in sync.

Gonna check valves too while im at it. When it does run on 4 cyl you can see what a fun bike this can be.

Rgconner · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:39:09 PM »

Until you do a carb sync, stop trying to diagnose beyond basics like cleaning and float levels.

The difference between an unsync'ed and synced bike is like chalk and cheese.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2011, 10:18:55 PM »

Gotcha. Do homemade gauges work for the 4 cyls well?

classic bike tuner · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2011, 02:42:14 AM »

what type of ignition you have points or electronic
maybe capacitors over the points break down when gets warm

jneuf · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2011, 02:58:28 AM »

pods or stock airbox?

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2011, 04:31:01 AM »

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2011, 06:52:12 AM »

Quote from: Sdsbassist on August 01, 2011, 04:31:01 AM

Pods

There's your problem. Very hard to tune w/pods. Did you rejet?

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2011, 07:19:51 AM »

Not sure. The previous owner said the carbs were gone through. If im rinning straight oipes and pods what should my jet size be?

jneuf · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:18:14 AM »

I've never jetted for pods, so I can't tell you what jet size you should be using (although I'd bet you could do a search here and find that info). But I'd guess the pods are the problem. Check out to see what size jets you're running right now.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:41:35 AM »

Will do. I know this will be a fun bike when it has full power

rbmgf7 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:56:42 AM »

Quote from: Sdsbassist on July 31, 2011, 04:53:14 PM

what an emulsion tube is?

it's what your main jet screws into. that tube is removable. along the tube are little tiny holes which help atomize the fuel. if they are clogged then your fuel mixture will tend to run richer.

i've ran pods with mixed feelings. pods won't neccessarily cause a degrade in performace 5 miles into a ride on the highway. they'll usually set a cap on your performance from the start. the biggest issue running pods are the pressure differences between the 1-4 and 2-3 cylinders.

let me ask you this. when you get off the highway and sit for a minute then get back on the highway, will it run strong then 5 miles into the ride the performace will start to drop again?

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2011, 10:00:05 AM »

Yes. I stopped yesterday in a driveway and when I started again a few minutes later it ran well for 3 or so minutes then bogfed down again to the point I had to downshift and baby it home. If I let off the throttle at all iwould have stalled.

WarwickE36 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2011, 10:20:24 AM »

I have ridden away with the petcock on OFF, got on the highway immediately and 2 minutes later it stalled. The info that is relevant is that lack of gas usually ends up in a bucking hesitation type running situation before it does stall. Is your bike bucking and surging? If so I would say fuel flow could be an definite problem... Check the petcock screen if the sportster tank has one. Check the tank vent. Drain the bowls and see if there are floaters or rust sediment. Fix as necessary.

Sdsbassist · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2011, 01:08:33 PM »

Petcock pisses gas pretty good.

I think stuttering is a good word for it. Sometimes when this is happening for a second or two the power will surge when shes running full bore for those few seconds....

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2011, 05:13:18 PM »

Quote from: jneuf on August 01, 2011, 09:18:14 AM

I've never jetted for pods, so I can't tell you what jet size you should be using (although I'd bet you could do a search here and find that info). But I'd guess the pods are the problem. Check out to see what size jets you're running right now.

+1

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Author Topic: (SOLVED 8.21.11) First hiway ride problems cb550 (Read 9889 times)