My bike, over the past few days of driving it (now that its warmer) has been suffering from slower and slower performance. Would this be clogged fuel filters? My bike is known to have a bit of rust in the fuel tank. But as of right now it is idling about 600~ish RPM, down from about 1300 where it was before. Its also stalling very frequently going into a turn at a higher gear, bacically if the revs are below 2000.

Would this be the filters? The bike has bad carbs too, but I don't see how they could have progressed so far downward in a few days.

If they are the filters, how do I get to them, and what do I once I'm there?

EDIT: Basically it seems like no fuel is getting to the engine. It is making horrible backfires as soon as I let off the throttle (because its running so lean). Once the revs get over 3000, it seems better, albeit it still backfires.

 

Clogged fuel filters could be the cause, one thing I would check first would bethe petcock fuel filter.

This filter is positioned between the fuel petcock and the tank, it slides into the tank before you install the petcock.

You mentioned that the tank has rustso you could have a intermittent debris built up on this filter restricting fuel from the tank or it could just be clogged.

Remover tank from frame, remove fuel from tank, removetank petcock from tank, pull filter/screen from tank and check for debris on filter, clean filter and reuse.

While you have the petcock and filter off the tank,CAREFULLY rinse thetank with clean fuel and drain itinto a white bucket or containerand see how much garbage comes out of the tank, you might be surprised just how much junk comes out of the tank...

(A white bucket or container will show tank debris/rust much easier than lets say a black bucket).

There should be a fuel filter before the fuel pump, and hopefully it is clear or white in design so you can visually inspect for debris build up.

Somefuel filters can be reversed so you can flow fuel through the filter in reverse to flush junk out of the filter and then reuse the filter.

If not, get a newin line fuel filterfrom Autozone for $5.00 or less.

Now, there is one screen filter in each carb located just before the metering valve, and the only way to get to these screen'sis to remove the carb set and disassemble each carb, this could be the cause of the fuel problemsbut I doubt it, I would check and clean the other filters first.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

 

Could bad carbs themselves be the root of this problem?

I got a quote from a motorcycle mechanic awhile back after he looked over the bike, and he said the bike needed a new float set for the carbs (along with a new fuel petcock assy. entirely)

Would this have anything else to do with it?

Edit again:

How do I get the fuel tank off and drain it? I just realized I've only done this on an unfaired 2 stroke dirtbike before.

 

remove left and right tail and side fairings. unbolt the seat from the subframe (2 bolts), pull back and up. unbolt tank, one rear bolt to subframe, and one bolt at front of tank. pull tank back an inch and pull up. pump, hoses, and filter will be on left side of bike visible once left side rail fairing is removed.

note: when you lift the tank up, don't go pulling up like crazy, there might be 2 hoses attached to the bottomside of the tank. one is vaccum hose and the other is breather hose.

 

And to take off those hoses, I just pull them from their intake and let the fuel drain?

Anything else I need to do?

Thanks for the help.

 

I suggest investing the $10or so and purchasing a shop manual man. Especially on and older bike, you will use it all the time and not have to wait for postings on a forum.

 

I don't mind waiting.

I want to get my bike out of my garage as soon as possible and I don't feel like waiting for a Clymer manual to be delivered.

What are forums for anyway?

 

Well if you can order some new floats and needles and get them up and running. I have an old carb set that is fairly dirty and only has two good needles in there. Would be willing to get rid of it cheap if you would need them.

Also if you tank is really really bad there are a lot of companies, probably locally, that will get rid of the rust and do a complete recoat of the inside for $50. A good investment if you thing about all the rust and everyting you are subjecting to your fuel system.

 

One last thing,

What would I do to change the oil on this bike, meaning where is the oil pan and all that?

 

Pull both your lower panels. The oil drain bolt is to the clutch/shifter side of the bike, by the exhaust merge collecter. The oil filter is on the front of the bike behind the headers. good luck