I was out riding today and everything was fine and running well. All of a sudden i go to accelerate from a stop light and i notice engine almsot dies and i have to rev it hard. first thought was out of gas as i was getting close any how so i flip it to reserve and it continues to happen.. so i get gas hoping that was it. But it wasn't. AS i go from a stop it starts to clunk like its being starved for gas or about the equivlent of starting in 3rd gear while i start in first or as my roomate says it sounds like the whole bike is being drug down when he was riding behind me. I couldnt even get to 85 mph on a open on ramp. Any even moderatly hard accelration causes it to bog down. Once i get going it cruises fine as long as i dont try to accelerate really hard. I also noticed sitting at idle with the idle set right about at 1100 rpms it drops to below 1000 and *pops* back up above 1200 then levels out then drops and *pops* again. Any tips as to where i can start to determine what the problem is..

 

dude i dont know mines did that a few weeks ago i changed the plugs and it stoped so try that

 

I also forgot to add when i start it up all four cylinders exaust pipes heat up pretty much equal.

 

Try changing your fuel filter, mine did that I while back and $3 filter made it run like a champ

 

Well i am not 100% but i dont belive i have a fuel filter other then a screen in my gas tank. The fuel filter you are talking about i belive is only in the bikes between 1993 and 1995. i suppose the screen could be glogged..

 

Gixxereater had a '98 or '99 with a similar problem and he said the vacuum diaphragm in the petcock was torn--so he got a new one and it was fine. That might account for why it starves on the reserve tank as well.

And you're right, 96-99 have no fuel pump or filter, but a new petcock assembly comes with the screen tube that sticks up into the tank. About $115 is the best price I could find, most everyone else wants between $150 and $200.
http://www.carolinacycle.com/

 

I have no idea but this was another idea somone told me is that living in AZ it gets down to 40 ish at night and upwards of 70 plus during the day could water build up eventually get in the tank and then into the carb and cause a problem like this? I was suggested to try specific product or i have also read ispropyl alcohol added to gas will remove smaller amounts of water. any suggestions.

 

It's possible, if you always leave the tank at half full or less. But AZ is dry, dry, dry. Relative annual humidity is what, in the single digits? If there is water in there, it weighs more than gas, so try draining the float bowls on the carbs and drain the tank as well, then put in some fuel system cleaner and refill with premium unleaded. Hopefully that's all it is...

 

i fill the tank weekly and the dry thing would make sense but we ahve had ALOT of rain in the last 2-3 weeks had close to 5 inches. So i think i will drain the floats. and get some HEAT i belive its called. Thanks for the help! : )

 

If you have water in the fuel youll get a little smoke, and have a big power loss.Check the plugs and the Ram air intake for restrictions.you might have sucked something large up in the air intake.Any smoke? or restriced Vac lines?