Need help in Hoosierland...wrench party needed.

[Dave Weaver]

I am getting frustrated by not being able to get my bike running correctly.  I have a '97 Tourer that I purchased a couple years ago.  The previous owner had let it set for 3 years prior to my acquiring it.  I rode it all last year while running Seafoam through it, but it still wouldn't idle quite right.  I pulled carb bank this past winter to clean everything up and replace slow jets and all o-rings.  I have replaced all vac. lines, fuel lines, petcock guts, intake o-rings, timing belts, spark plugs twice, checked timing, adjusted pilots twice, removed carb bank again to clean out, synched carbs, etc. and I still cannot get her to idle or run smoothly at low to mid speeds.  It is now popping pretty good and I have an air whooshing noise on one of the carbs on the left bank.  I am continuing to ride it, but want to ride this bike when it is right.  I would like for someone to help me wrench on it until we get it fixed. I am willing to bring it to your place, meet in the middle at someone's place, host you here, or whatever.  I just need someone to help me get her right.  I would prefer someone that has had carbs out and put them back in successfully, as I believe that is where the problem is.  I can travel 200-300 miles, if necessary and would prefer a weekend.  It can be Indiana or any state nearby.  If interested, contact me by e-mail in my profile or call my cell 812-216-4573.  Thanks,

Dave                   

[Ricky-D]

Dave,

You haven't said that a compression test was performed.

This is an important test when dealing with idling issues.  It will definitely eliminate a lot of dead ends if things are good, while at the same time reveal the cause of idling problems if compression figures are amiss.

I guess you have not identified which carburetor on the left is making the "whooshing" noise. Might help to do that. Have you insured there are no vacuum leaks from all of the joining places there on the left side?  You could look to insure that the tower diaphragms are in good condition.

I would hope the times you've had the carburetors off and apart that the parts were not intermingled. That would be a no no, however I don't fully agree with that theory and I would not to lay the problem at that, if having been done.

I am fully convinced that the gasoline being used can have a greater effect on the idling and low speed characteristics of the running motor. Ethanol enriched gasoline is crap.  And ethanol enriched gasoline causes my motor to idle at a lower rpm and causes low speed popping (quietly) on deceleration.   Just got back from the Keys (2k miles round trip) and anxiously anticipate getting back to non-ethanol enriched gasoline from the local fill-up. What a pain in the ass. The reason I mention this is if you can get some non-enriched gasoline, maybe after a tank or two your problem might be mitigated to some degree. It's worth a try.

I don't understand why you haven't done a desmog but I'd suggest that a desmog might help with the popping. No guarantee however, it definitely will eliminate a lot of potential vacuum problems.

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[Rocketman]

I'm a little too far for physical help, but can give you advice.  I would grab one of those dental-type mirrors, and check the back side of the carb connections.  I would guess that you don't have one on correctly.  I've heard the "whooshing" noise from mine, and it's always been a loose clamp or a mis-aligned connection (most likely between the carb and the airbox).  Can't really see it well without that mirror and good lighting.
Get that fixed before you start making any other changes.  It's quick, and could make your problems go away.  That's not to say you don't have other issues, but it sounds like you've done most everything else.

Mark

[Dave Weaver]

I forgot to mention in previous post that I did the de-smog when I first purchased bike, and I have checked compression; 150-155 psi in each cylinder.
I believe that the noise is coming from cylinder #4, which is the middle one.  Thanks guys,

Dave