I've got a '89 cane 600 that is dying for an unknow reason, and often. I'll be riding and it just dies, but starts right back up when put in neutral. I just put the bike back together a couple days ago, and it was fine until now. My roommate thinks its got something to do with the fuel system. Any ideas? FYI I am using Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel which was working great (really clearing out the whole system!). Thanks in advance.

 

Have you adjusted your idle? What idle you are at now?

Sometimes the idle adjuster may rattle loose and idle too low and shuts off...just turn idle higher....

 

It idles at 1.5k. It was dying when I was between 3-9k, never at idle. I just remembered I forgot to include, it was back firing as well. It died all of a sudden, like I hit the kill switch or something. Kind of a scary ride home on busy city streets and highway....

 

Does the bike die exacly the same way every time? I'd check your wires for a good connection, if it was me I would take the carbs off and inspect them as well to see if anything is out of whack. Not sure if your carbs have been cleaned or synced but that is something you might want to look at.

 

Yeah, when bike die when you are riding...something is disconnecting...does the light goes off when bike dies?

 

Backfire may be a foul spark plug....or ignition problem...is all the spark plug wire secured? Check it..

 

Micscience-
it dies the same way every time, out of the blue. I cleaned the carbs, but have not sync them yet. I'm working on the electrical stuff. I tested the petcock and it does not flow at all in reserve, so that might be the problem. I'm out of town, but when I get back I am going to gravity feed the carbs to rule out the fuel pump. I drained the tank using the fuel pump, and it seemed to flow just fine. I gotta make a system where I can run it for 20 minutes or so to see if it cuts out.

estate4life-
When it dies all the lights stay on, including the dash. It does not back fire that much. I put some Marval Mistery Oil in the tank and with the oil. (I've rulled that one out). Maybe its breaking stuff up inside and it makes it back fire every once in a while? Its only after I start it back up, and not every time. Itt only happened 2 or 3 times.

Once I rule out the petcock and fuel pump I'm going to check all connections and bust out the multimeter. If its not any of the three its probably carbs right?

Thanks for your help guys

 

Could try checking your CDI. They can fritz out and interfere / stop the fuel pump working properly.

 

Check your sidestand safety switch.

 

It turned out to be the fuel pump. I am running a gravity set up now, and everything has been fine for about 100 miles. Sorry it took me so long to get back, been riding