I posted earlier about not being about to get my 98 F3 to start. I have subsequently cleaned the air filter (k&n), replaced all the plugs and checked for spark (was good), replaced the fuel filter, bypassed the fuel pump, tried using starting fluid and even pulled the carbs and checked that there was fuel in the bowls and cleaned the jets (everything seems to move as it should). While there is a little progress in that now it will backfire if I try to start it with the throttle at idle and the choke on instead of just turn over - it still wont start. Very frustrating. Any thoughts or am I going to have to break down and send it to the shop? I am out of ideas here and I really want to go riding.

Thanks!

 

If after attempting to start it, pull one of the plugs again and check them. Do they seem wet or dry. When you pull the plugs, do you get the smell of gas ?

 

I had the same exact problem,see that little **** thing next to the fuel ****, play with that. I believe I turned my all the way towards the front of the bike and she fired up. If it don't work turning it to the front, turn it in the opposite direction.

This **** controls the idle.

SGB

 

little tip: the idle **** when turned clockwise increases idle speed and when turned counter-clockwise reduces idle speed. If you can avoid messing with it, do so. It's a pain to get it back to the normal setting, also if you do mess with it and no response, you'll need the bike warmed up with the choke off to adjust it to what it needs to be after you do fix the problem. Idle speed for normal U.S. is 1200 +- 100, or 1400 +-100 for California. Hope this helps

 

Tried all that - still no luck. Think its going to have to go to the shop tomorrow.

 

The next step I would do is a compression test.