Joe '86 450
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:06:49 -0800
Hi All, As the message header indicates I'm a recent addition to the nighthawk group, new to nighthawks and new to riding. I own a 1986 450,named Jenny by the previous owner, that I picked up here in the L.A. area with a questionable 18k on the odometer. Questionable only because the speedo was swinging like mad on the test ride and stopped working completely a week or so after I bought it. I now have about 200 - 300 miles on the bike, and things have been going well. I've learned quite a bit since I've been lurking here ( the tires aren't quite as new as the previous owner stated, that clunk into first is somewhat normal, battery care etc) but I've come across a new problem. I set off to work this morning with a detour to the gas station (1.5 miles tops) to top off my front tire when the bike stalls at about 40 mph. Feels just like I ran out of gas (tank filled the night before). I checked the petcock thinking I had forgotten to turn it on but it was good. I switched to reserve, no dice. I spent a couple minutes rolling off the busy street,parking etc, opened my tank to make sure I wasn't hallucinating about the full tank. I figured one more try before the walk of shame home, and the bike fired up with a little sputtering and then proceeded to run fine all the way to work ( ~20 miles @ 35 mph) So, onto the ride home. About 20 min. into the ride at ~40 mph I feel the bike start to stumble, I reach down and switch to reserve thinking some sort of blockage on the intake, and it clears up. Another 10 min. down the road a big stumble and several stalls from a stop ( being a new rider I assume with my fingers crossed that it is me but that wears thin with the third stall). Repeated starts and stalls, switching to reserve and then it clears up for another 5 mins. Another stall and this one lasts about 5 ~ 7 minutes, the bike has been on reserve since the last stall. Playing with the petcock again, opening the tank and resting and the bike fires up and I ride the last couple of minutes home. The last clue comes as I shut the bike off and start to back it into the garage-- I hear a faint hissing sound and its coming from the gas cap. I open the tank and there is a hiss as the pressure equalizes(in or out I don't know). Mind you its only been about 3/4 to a mile since I last opened the tank. So, my guess is some sort of fuel system blockage/slowdown that starves the bike for gas and then manages to clear up. I have decent car repair knowledge but am new to bikes and am hoping for a few pointers. Thanks for taking the time to read this far and for any help you can offer. Joe in Altadena --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---