Rough running 1999 Interstate Trike

[eddie]

I just found a 1999 Valk Interstate Trike that hadn't been ridden much in the last 3 years due to the guy having health problems.  It seems to run a little rough but it's still getting aobut 28 mpg.  I've just ridden it for a couple days.  It has 66,000 miles on it so should I have new plugs put in and have the valves adjusted and maybe the carbs synchronized?  I'm wanting to drive it to bike week from Central Kentucky.  It really looks sharp.  I've also got a 97 Valk Tourer that's really nice.
Eddie Flinchum  

[olddog1946]

Assuming you get to ride it some b4 bike week, I'd try some techron or something of that sort and see if it doesn't clear up.  And check out all the vacuum lines..they are going on 13 yrs old..

[old2soon]

Assuming you get to ride it some b4 bike week, I'd try some techron or something of that sort and see if it doesn't clear up.  And check out all the vacuum lines..they are going on 13 yrs old..

  +1 on the Techron and don't skimp with it-pour in the entire bottle when you fill up. Might have to do it a couple of times. Save the hard expensive stuff til last IF the Techron don't help. RIDE SAFE.

[Chiefy]

Assuming you get to ride it some b4 bike week, I'd try some techron or something of that sort and see if it doesn't clear up.  And check out all the vacuum lines..they are going on 13 yrs old..

 +1 on the Techron and don't skimp with it-pour in the entire bottle when you fill up. Might have to do it a couple of times. Save the hard expensive stuff til last IF the Techron don't help. RIDE SAFE.

Sentry and Seafoam work well also.  If the chemicals don't work, I'm guessing you'll have to have the carbs rebuilt.  If you can't do it yourself, that's around 800 bucks at a Honda shop.  Lot's of info here to do it yourself.  I'd hold off on having the valves or sync worked on.

When you try the chemicals, you should put a heavy dose in when you fill up.  Reving the p*ss out of it isn't going to help anything, because it's always the slow jets that clog.  So after filling up, take a nice mellow low rpm ride for 10-20 miles, then let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then see where you stand.

Keep it simple for now.  Check also all the "hose" clamps in between the top of each carb and the airbox.  They come loose, and can be gotten to without taking anything apart.  Since you've been driving it for a few days I assume you've filled it with fresh gas?

[eddie]

I'm at the end of my first tank of fresh gas with a half can of Seafoam in it.  I'm dumping the rest in tomorrow and ride some more.  Thanks for the suggestions and I'll try them, short of a complete tune up.  I'm hoping I won't have to have the carbs rebuilt but with my luck that's what will happen.  Oh well, I got the trike worth the money so it should all work out ok.

[gordonv]

It was suggested and followed, to add the full can of cleaner to half a tank of gas. Each person suggested a different brand of cleaner.

The person reported back, that trying all the different brands of cleaner, that after each one the rough running improved to a point where the cleaner no longer made an improvement. Then he tried a different one, and got more results.

It was all of them that cleaned out the carbs fully/properly to let the bike run properly.

So try the one brand 4x stronger (half a tank of gas and the full can of cleaner). As Chiefy mentioned, you want low RPM on the bike (high gear and slow speeds), to get the fuel through those slow jets which are the ones most likely causing your problem.

Do all the cheap stuff first, before trying anything expensive.

[Ricky-D]

It was suggested and followed, to add the full can of cleaner to half a tank of gas. Each person suggested a different brand of cleaner.

The person reported back, that trying all the different brands of cleaner, that after each one the rough running improved to a point where the cleaner no longer made an improvement. Then he tried a different one, and got more results.

It was all of them that cleaned out the carbs fully/properly to let the bike run properly.

So try the one brand 4x stronger (half a tank of gas and the full can of cleaner). As Chiefy mentioned, you want low RPM on the bike (high gear and slow speeds), to get the fuel through those slow jets which are the ones most likely causing your problem.

Do all the cheap stuff first, before trying anything expensive.

There ya go!  The best advice available for all these kind of (gas related) problems.

***

[Hoser]

Alternate running with the choke on and off during the slow riding, that finally cleared the problem I had once, on a bike I bought and then sold after I got it cleaned up.  Bought it for 4k, sold it for 5.5k.  Also replaced the dry rotted tires.  It was a 98 standard with 22k miles.  Hoser 

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I'm with olddog check the vac lines. They seem to split on the bottom side about a half inch from where they attach. 3 and 4 seem to be the worst about splitting.