I just purchased a '87 Hurricane with 21K on the mileage that was kept in great condition. I am new to riding so I haven't had much time around bikesand definately not much time on them, but I am fairly good with engines though. The problem is, the bike has sat for 2 years and the guy I bought it from didn'tchange the gas before he started messing with it, so he basically ran varnish into the engine.I have changed the gas, plugs, oil and collant and now the bike runs.

The problem is,it seems to idle @1000rpm but will drop after its been going for a min, and then stall.After playing with the throttle to keep it runningfor a while you can't open the choke or it will stall. It also seems to want to die when ever I start letting the clutch out,even when I increase the gas feed. If I wind it up to around 2500-4000K and the clutch out it seems to wantto hop or just bogg down and die. The bike is definately burning rich but Im not sure what is causing it.

Here is what I suspect could be going on (one or all):
1. needs new air filter (and it does really bad and I have one on order)
2. a float in one or more of the carbs is stuck open
3. the jets are adjusted wrong, clogged or stuck
4. the plugs are gapped wrong or are not hot enough
5. the ingition coil packs/plug wiresare bad
6. the butterfly on the choke is sticking

Thinking it was just me. I calleda freind who rides and works at a dealership, to come by and make sure that the problem wasn't between the seat and the helmetand he confirmed that its the bike and not me, at least for the most part.

I have ordered a Clymer mannual for this bike but it wont be here for a few days. As far as I know there hasnt been any drastic work done to it.The only problems I have seen physically with it, is a slight oil leak on the block. I think this is because the bike sat so long, and the seals dried out (I've seen this in cars so I assumeits true with bikes too) butit doesnt seem to be leaking any more or enough to notice anyways.

I am going to tear into this tomorrow or the next day but I just wanted to see if any one had ideas or suggestion. I really dont want to tear the carbs down unless there is no other option. So any tips to check beforeI do this would be great.

Thanks

Donavan

 

If it sat for two years, I would really recommend going through the carbs. If not just for peace of mind. You may not need to replace anything, just take the bowls off and check the jets for clogging, make sure your floats are working correctly and not binding. Kind of sounds like how my 600 was running before I pulled off the carbs and gave them a thorough air and carb cleaner session. Just spray 'em out with carb cleaner, blow it out with compressed air, also may want to open up the chokes and blow them out too. Take out the diaphragms and make sure they are not binding. You may want to have some assistance with this if you have never taken carbs apart before though. I took apart the carbs on my 1000 last year and really buggered them up. Took a couple days to get them sorted out. After a couple more times I can get them off in 15 minutes or so. Not a big deal on that bike. Blow out all the passages real good. If there is anything that won't come out of the bowls, you may have to soak them in carb cleaner or use some steel wool on them.

Anyway, that is wher I would start if it actually sort of runs.

 

I would bet it was the carbs, 99% your bike doesn't run with the choke it is because the carbs are messed up. They aren't that hard to R&R, they seem intimidating at first, but really a piece of cake.

 

Ok, so I am trying to get the carbs off but I have run into a snag. It seems that the carbs are stuck to the rubber connectors that connect them to the head. I have of course loosened the clamps that where holdling them in place. The carbs seem not to be bolted to anything so I assume that its just the rubber fusing to the metal that keeping them from coming off. Am I right here or did I miss something? obviously fuel lines and cabels will need to come off but are there any hidden bold that I have missed?

 

if they sit for a bit, the rubber can become hard and it will stick, use your weight and rock them back and forth, they will eventually come out. i would proabably recommend replacing the rubber if it is that hard.

 

You might try a little spray silicon also. A properly positioned prybar wouldn't hurt.