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Engine will only run in prime

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:49 pm
by Ringo
Hey people

I was riding my bike yesterday when it suddenly started to lose power, just like when you run out of fuel and need to switch to reserve. This was odd considering I filled up the tank not too long ago and it shouldn't have used that much fuel since then. Anyway, reserve didn't do much good so I had to pull over. I tried to start the engine a couple of times, but when it did start, it ran very badly and quickly died again. The only solution seemed to be to run it set on prime. I've made sure there is enough fuel to even run it with the petcock set to On. So what's going on?

Just for the record, when I park it, I set it to reserve as to not flood the carbs or whatever evil prime could do.

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:59 pm
by Max
Sounds like the vacuum fuel pump needs a rebuild. If you're lucky, maybe just a damaged or loose hose.

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:23 am
by Ringo
Hmm ok. Well I'm taking her to the mechanic in a few weeks or so, so I'll have him look at that. Thanks, Max :)

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How come you only have 7 posts anyway?

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:29 am
by Max
Keep it on a full tank if you're riding there. The prime will only flow to the carbs if the fuel level is higher than the float bowls.

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:56 pm
by PhatVR6
something I've noticed on mine, when you lift the tank up it pulls the vacuum hoses through from the carbs, and kinks them at the carb end. but when you drop the tank back down it doesn't push the hoses back because of the retaining clips and you have to manually pullthem back at the carb to open up the hoses again as they kink and close up.

Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:04 pm
by CULater
The most common is indeed a kinked hose, check it dude !

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:54 am
by Ringo
Yup, it was indeed a bent hose. Thanks for the help, guys!