PNW Riders

eseeray26 · 07-06-2009, 11:16 AM

I made it, my longest ride so far. I left thursday morning took 42 to Coquile, went south on 42 to bandon, (that strech was my favorite) and then down 101 to just north of gold beach. Had a fantastic weekend and the came back on sunday late the same route. Lots and lots of bikes out and the trip went well. I am however fully convinced now that there is something wrong with my bike and was hoping to get some feedback. It absolutly will not go over about 5.5 thou rpms period which translates to about 55ish (60 downhill ) and I am sure that a 400 cc engine must have more than that to give even with my big ass on it. It almost feels like theres a govoner on it or something. My thought is that it is fuel delivery something wrong with the carbs and since I am a complete newbie and have very little knowledge so far I may be completely wrong. I have been reading my book about it and it says that you should only attempt messing with the carbs if you know what your doing as there are very fragile parts so if any one who knows what they are doing and doesnt mind helping a newbie can help me I would be super thankful and will try to find a way to return the favour.

nighthawker · 07-06-2009, 11:36 AM

glad you had a great time... true about the carbs that they should be messed with unless youve touched on everything else. then after that, fine. no problem. and as you description might be a good one, its had to tell without seeing it first hand. what kind of book are you into? the hawk service manual of a clymer or what??

eseeray26 · 07-06-2009, 11:55 AM

Its a Clymer do you think its possible that it just really doesnt have more power than that or that it might actually have a govener

mcnasty · 07-06-2009, 01:18 PM

sounds like you had a good time camping , i bet it was a scare wonderin what your bike is doing or if it'll make it...

is the motor burping and cutting out around that range? does a 78 have a computer governor/rev limiter?

the carbs could just need a good cleaning....ignition is my 2nd guess..how old are the plugs? wires and everything still in good shape? connections clean of oxidation around the coil and battery?

just spoutin off ideas..

eseeray26 · 07-06-2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by mcnasty

sounds like you had a good time camping , i bet it was a scare wonderin what your bike is doing or if it'll make it...

is the motor burping and cutting out around that range? does a 78 have a computer governor/rev limiter?

the carbs could just need a good cleaning....ignition is my 2nd guess..how old are the plugs? wires and everything still in good shape? connections clean of oxidation around the coil and battery?

just spoutin off ideas..

The motor burps and sputers some at lower range but is smooth at high end the plugs are only about 600 miles old I wish I knew if it had a rev limiter.
it tops at 5500 rpms and thats only about 3/4 throttle the rest of the thottle does nothing I have never been able to get it going faster than 55/60 but the bike shop seems to think I should be able to run at 6500 7500 range easily and I have ridden 250s with quite a bit more power I just wish I knew more

kirkcdl · 07-06-2009, 04:33 PM

Go to NAPA,buy 2 fuel filters and a can of Seafoam Motor Treatment.Install one of the filters,then put half the can in your tank and fill it with good gas,then ride for about 15-20 minutes.Park it for at least 24 hours if you can,this will allow the Motor Treatment to de-gum everything.Ride the gas out,as empty as you dare without running out of gas completely,then replace the filter.Use 1/4 of the can in each of your next 2 tankfuls.During and for a little while after the first tank it will probably run a bit funky,this is all the crap burning out of your fuel system.If there is no difference after the first tank,then start looking at your points,condenser,coil,and plug wires...

eseeray26 · 07-07-2009, 01:23 PM

I found out last night while reading the book that my bike does not even have a fuel filter there is a " fuel screen " at the fuel shut off I mention this cause should I follow the same steps after I add a fuel filter of before I add one cause I think it would be a good idea to add one either way oo maybe do the first step then add one just curious

mcnasty · 07-07-2009, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by eseeray26

The motor burps and sputers some at lower range but is smooth at high end the plugs are only about 600 miles old I wish I knew if it had a rev limiter.
it tops at 5500 rpms and thats only about 3/4 throttle the rest of the thottle does nothing I have never been able to get it going faster than 55/60 but the bike shop seems to think I should be able to run at 6500 7500 range easily and I have ridden 250s with quite a bit more power I just wish I knew more

it sounds almost identical to what our 750 intruder was doing..first rolling on the throttle would sputter and hesitate but it cleaned itself up when it reached higher rpms..starting/stopping was miserable.ppl were lookin at me like i was showing off the rev's.

that problem with that was rust caused in the tank by the ethanol in the fuel. it got into the carbs and corroded the jets and some copper keepers..

check your fuel switch/fuel screen for rust

BadAzzR6 · 07-07-2009, 03:27 PM

pictures or it didnt happen. no way i was going to read your post without pictures. cmon now.

kirkcdl · 07-07-2009, 04:28 PM

Clean the fuel screen and then add a fuel filter...

mpmarty · 07-07-2009, 09:47 PM

OK I'll chime in now.
Does it limit RPMs in first or second gear? If it will not go over 5500 rpm or thereabouts in low gears with little or no load on the engine you may just have binding point pivots or worn out springs on the points. If it winds out fine in first or second but won't pull in top gear it could be any number of ignition problems. Stumbling and surging would point to carbs or fuel system. Worst case if it starts backfiring and popping at 5500 RPM you may have collapsed valve springs or binding (bent or damaged guides/stems) valves. Really hard to diagnose but generally tool kits don't come in cans or bottles.

eseeray26 · 07-08-2009, 07:19 PM

So I tried it today and it jumps up to 6000 + easily in first, second and third gears in fact I was able to hit 50 + in third so I guess that means it probably is in the carbs/fuel delivery I will try the seafoam thing if that doesnt work then I guess i'll save up and just pay someone to help me cause I am worried that I could hurt something if I try to do it myself

mcnasty · 07-09-2009, 01:06 AM

did it spit and sputter on you?

theres another as-you-go treatment you can use once its all cleaned out..its the blue-colored Sta-Bil Marine fuel treatment..fights rust deposits in your fuel system during storage..like mouthwash for bikes

eseeray26 · 07-09-2009, 01:02 PM

yes it spits and sputters up to about 4500 then after that it smooths out considerably and it tends to back fire very slightly when I turn the engine off does any one know a mechanic that can service my carbs for a decent price so far the best deal I can find is at least $120 but he said it would probably be a bit more than that I would very much like to have it done correctly

mcnasty · 07-09-2009, 03:03 PM

the old roseburg power sports (T&F Cycle i think?)is like 70/hr..was about 2hrs work for mine.


07-06-2009, 11:16 AM	#1
eseeray26 Endorsed Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg Or Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 1978 honda hawk cb400t	My Trip to gold beach and back I made it, my longest ride so far. I left thursday morning took 42 to Coquile, went south on 42 to bandon, (that strech was my favorite) and then down 101 to just north of gold beach. Had a fantastic weekend and the came back on sunday late the same route. Lots and lots of bikes out and the trip went well. I am however fully convinced now that there is something wrong with my bike and was hoping to get some feedback. It absolutly will not go over about 5.5 thou rpms period which translates to about 55ish (60 downhill ) and I am sure that a 400 cc engine must have more than that to give even with my big ass on it. It almost feels like theres a govoner on it or something. My thought is that it is fuel delivery something wrong with the carbs and since I am a complete newbie and have very little knowledge so far I may be completely wrong. I have been reading my book about it and it says that you should only attempt messing with the carbs if you know what your doing as there are very fragile parts so if any one who knows what they are doing and doesnt mind helping a newbie can help me I would be super thankful and will try to find a way to return the favour. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-06-2009, 11:36 AM	#2
nighthawker Superbiker Joined: Mar 2009 From: sutherlin, oregon I Ride: cb750	glad you had a great time... true about the carbs that they should be messed with unless youve touched on everything else. then after that, fine. no problem. and as you description might be a good one, its had to tell without seeing it first hand. what kind of book are you into? the hawk service manual of a clymer or what?? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-06-2009, 11:55 AM	#3
eseeray26 Endorsed Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg Or Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 1978 honda hawk cb400t	Its a Clymer do you think its possible that it just really doesnt have more power than that or that it might actually have a govener __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-06-2009, 01:18 PM	#4
mcnasty Training Wheels Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg, OR I Ride: ...do you?	sounds like you had a good time camping , i bet it was a scare wonderin what your bike is doing or if it'll make it... is the motor burping and cutting out around that range? does a 78 have a computer governor/rev limiter? the carbs could just need a good cleaning....ignition is my 2nd guess..how old are the plugs? wires and everything still in good shape? connections clean of oxidation around the coil and battery? just spoutin off ideas.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-06-2009, 04:33 PM	#6
kirkcdl Pit Crew Joined: Apr 2009 From: Roseburg,OR I Ride: 1984 Naked Goldwing 1200,1984 V65 Sabre	Go to NAPA,buy 2 fuel filters and a can of Seafoam Motor Treatment.Install one of the filters,then put half the can in your tank and fill it with good gas,then ride for about 15-20 minutes.Park it for at least 24 hours if you can,this will allow the Motor Treatment to de-gum everything.Ride the gas out,as empty as you dare without running out of gas completely,then replace the filter.Use 1/4 of the can in each of your next 2 tankfuls.During and for a little while after the first tank it will probably run a bit funky,this is all the crap burning out of your fuel system.If there is no difference after the first tank,then start looking at your points,condenser,coil,and plug wires... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by kirkcdl; 07-06-2009 at 04:36 PM..

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07-07-2009, 01:23 PM	#7
eseeray26 Endorsed Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg Or Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 1978 honda hawk cb400t	I found out last night while reading the book that my bike does not even have a fuel filter there is a " fuel screen " at the fuel shut off I mention this cause should I follow the same steps after I add a fuel filter of before I add one cause I think it would be a good idea to add one either way oo maybe do the first step then add one just curious __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-07-2009, 03:27 PM	#9
BadAzzR6 Endorsed Joined: Jan 2009 From: vancouver I Ride: 2006 yamaha R6 50th anniversary, 2006 yamaha R6 "knight Crawler"	pictures or it didnt happen. no way i was going to read your post without pictures. cmon now. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-07-2009, 04:28 PM	#10
kirkcdl Pit Crew Joined: Apr 2009 From: Roseburg,OR I Ride: 1984 Naked Goldwing 1200,1984 V65 Sabre	Clean the fuel screen and then add a fuel filter... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-07-2009, 09:47 PM	#11
mpmarty Newbie Joined: Jun 2009 From: Tenmile / Camas Valley area I Ride: BMW R 1200 RT	OK I'll chime in now. Does it limit RPMs in first or second gear? If it will not go over 5500 rpm or thereabouts in low gears with little or no load on the engine you may just have binding point pivots or worn out springs on the points. If it winds out fine in first or second but won't pull in top gear it could be any number of ignition problems. Stumbling and surging would point to carbs or fuel system. Worst case if it starts backfiring and popping at 5500 RPM you may have collapsed valve springs or binding (bent or damaged guides/stems) valves. Really hard to diagnose but generally tool kits don't come in cans or bottles. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-08-2009, 07:19 PM	#12
eseeray26 Endorsed Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg Or Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 1978 honda hawk cb400t	So I tried it today and it jumps up to 6000 + easily in first, second and third gears in fact I was able to hit 50 + in third so I guess that means it probably is in the carbs/fuel delivery I will try the seafoam thing if that doesnt work then I guess i'll save up and just pay someone to help me cause I am worried that I could hurt something if I try to do it myself __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2009, 01:06 AM	#13
mcnasty Training Wheels Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg, OR I Ride: ...do you?	did it spit and sputter on you? theres another as-you-go treatment you can use once its all cleaned out..its the blue-colored Sta-Bil Marine fuel treatment..fights rust deposits in your fuel system during storage..like mouthwash for bikes __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2009, 01:02 PM	#14
eseeray26 Endorsed Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg Or Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 1978 honda hawk cb400t	yes it spits and sputters up to about 4500 then after that it smooths out considerably and it tends to back fire very slightly when I turn the engine off does any one know a mechanic that can service my carbs for a decent price so far the best deal I can find is at least $120 but he said it would probably be a bit more than that I would very much like to have it done correctly __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2009, 03:03 PM	#15
mcnasty Training Wheels Joined: May 2009 From: Roseburg, OR I Ride: ...do you?	the old roseburg power sports (T&F Cycle i think?)is like 70/hr..was about 2hrs work for mine. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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