[mathyoomay]

Okay guys I just started having this problem where my bike sounds like its sputtering at certain rpm's. not only that but today as I was riding home, as I was stopped at a light , when I started to take off it seemed as if I had clutch stalled it myself. when I pulled the clutch back in and tried to start it again it sounded as if the battery was out of juice and didnt have the power to crank it, so I walked it to the side of the road and put it in neutral. I then tried to start it again and it still sounded as if it were straining to fire but it did, pretty quickly too. So, I got it started and for the rest of the way home I had to keep the rpm's high when starting in first, but I got home.

After I let the bike chill for awhile I checked on her and she started no problem. Although the sputtering is constant, the stalling problem seems to only happen if the bike is hot. Have you guys had any issues like this before? You guys always come trough so please guide me. Thanks

Matt

[Custom900]

You may want to pull the plugs just top see what they look like. The bike could be running rich and fouling the plugs.

You should also check all of the filters, air and fuel, just to see where they stand.

[ConqSoft]

What bike?

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

What bike?

Oh, sorry about that, it's my 00' F4.

m

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by Custom900

You may want to pull the plugs just top see what they look like. The bike could be running rich and fouling the plugs.

You should also check all of the filters, air and fuel, just to see where they stand.

will do.

[mathyoomay]

anyone else have any idea of what it could be or if there are past threads on this issue? Thanks

Matt

[Custom900]

If \ when you pull the plugs if you can post a pic of all 4 of them I'm sure opinions will be offered on the bike's diagnosis.

[BDA116]

Did you just fill up the tank prior to this happening?

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by BDA116

Did you just fill up the tank prior to this happening?

It was probably at a quarter tank when it started doing this. the past two filling have been at a Mobile gas station, i did not have the time or gas to get to a shel or a station with 100% gas. I was thinking about throwing in some fuel injector cleaner... should I?

I will pull the plugs today and post some pics.

[schnogg]

If it is carberated, you might just be out of gas . The high speed jets sit lower in the float bowls and when the level is lower, only the high-speed jets will be able to get the lower-level gas.
Otherwise, you should just give me your address and I can totally let you give it to me.

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by schnogg

If it is carberated, you might just be out of gas . The high speed jets sit lower in the float bowls and when the level is lower, only the high-speed jets will be able to get the lower-level gas.
Otherwise, you should just give me your address and I can totally let you give it to me.

It now has a pretty full tank.

Give me your I'll give you mine.

[BDA116]

What was the last thing you did to the bike?
At what RPM does it idle?

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by BDA116

What was the last thing you did to the bike?
At what RPM does it idle?

I believe the last thing I did was an oil change. It idles at about 1100 rpms.

[mathyoomay]

okay, heres some pics of the plugs they were a little wet but otherwise.....?

What do you think? I made them big so you can see closely.

[mathyoomay]

ok here's what I did, I took the tank off and replaced the fuel filter, I also cleaned up the air filter and replaced those plugs. I also put some fuel injector cleaner in and took it out for a short spin it seem to has a bit of a power boost but it still sputters a little near 2000rpm and also at around 4000-4500. I'm gonna takke it out for a longer ride tomorrow so that fuel inj. cleaner can do some work before I proceed with anything else.
Well, its a start. I did the right things so far right? Thanks guys.

Matt

[Custom900]

The plugs are a definite indication that you are running rich. The possibilities are numerous as to why though at the moment.

Is your bike carburated or fuel injected. That question answered will open different directions towards a solution.
What modifications have been done thus far to the bike such as pipe, remapping, etc?

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by Custom900

The plugs are a definite indication that you are running rich. The possibilities are numerous as to why though at the moment.

Is your bike carburated or fuel injected. That question answered will open different directions towards a solution.
What modifications have been done thus far to the bike such as pipe, remapping, etc?

The bike is carburated, The only upgrades have been a slip-on. I also adjusted the clutch lever about a week before this started happening, I don't know if that would make a difference.

Matt

[Custom900]

Check the carb boots for cracks or air leaks. Also check the airbox for the same. The box itself has to be pressed as far down as possible on the carbs in order to tighten everything down properly.

If everything checks out I would then pull the carb assembly for a thorough cleaning and inspection. (I had a friend'd bike with similar problems. That bike fought with us terribly. We pulled the carbs and found nothing. We pulled them apart anyway and completely cleaned the thing. Once the bike was reassembled it ran better than new.)

You could find that a previous owner has increased the jet size one above what it should be in order to try and match the pipe. If that's the case te solution is easy, back down a jet size.

The float bowls could be overfull as well causing the bike to run very rich.

If everything checks out with the carbs and you're still having problems then I would check out the spark coming from the coils. I doubt that's the problem, but it's worth a look. A weak spark will not burn the fuel properly.

[Red Rider]

You're running rich. How clean is the air filter and is it stock or a K&N?

How much did you adjust the clutch? Not sure of the spec for an F4, but you want considerable slack at the lever.

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by Red Rider

You're running rich. How clean is the air filter and is it stock or a K&N?

How much did you adjust the clutch? Not sure of the spec for an F4, but you want considerable slack at the lever.

filter is a bit dirty, i am gonna recharge it today. I'll put some more slack in the lever as well. how do I make it not so rich? and why does it sound as if the battery is dead when I try and restart? Thanks

Matt

[Red Rider]

Are you using a K & N filter? If so, depending on how much oil you put on it, you can reduce the air intake volume which could cause the rich condition. The battery may sound dead because it's undercharged. How old is it?

[mathyoomay]

Originally Posted by Red Rider

Are you using a K & N filter? If so, depending on how much oil you put on it, you can reduce the air intake volume which could cause the rich condition. The battery may sound dead because it's undercharged. How old is it?

I am usig a K&N filter. I'm not sure how old the battery is though but I tested the battery both with the engine off and when it was running telling me that the batter seems to be ok and the stator is charging it ok. When i connected to it off it read just over 12v and when it was on and revved it read around 14.
So when I recharge the filter, I should make sure I oil it well right? Thanks Red.

Matt

[BDA116]

When you recharge the filter you should put the K&N on the shelf and put in an OEM filter.

[Custom900]

Originally Posted by BDA116

When you recharge the filter you should put the K&N on the shelf and put in an OEM filter.

Nah, the carbed bikes like the K&N. If it was a fuel injected bike I would have suggested the same thing from what I have learned here.

As for oiling the filter. Be modest. You don't want to soak the filter and have it dripping with oil. All that will do is restrict airflow.

[BDA116]

My F3 ran better with an OEM filter than the K&N, just for reference.

[Custom900]

Not to start a debate, but both the 900's have a K&N and put out better power.

I guess the 6 could breathe differently than the 9, but I don't understand how unless the short stroke has something to do with it.