Hitchcocks Forum

So I get back from work and park up the bike, all great and has been for weeks. Next morning, usual starting procedure and doesn't run properly. After a couple more attempts it's fine. Go straight to the petrol station and fill up. Then, as you are all well aware of, the embarrassing forecourt shuffle with the whole world watching. Finally goes but have to keep the revs up as it will stop if idling, and when the revs drop it spits and fires erratically, with the odd blue flash coming out of the pancake filter. Got it home under protest.
So far I have....
Cleaned and checked the carb (Mikarb)
New gasket fitted to float bowl.
New battery and new spark plug.
Cleaned and check electronic ignition.
Checked valve timing,
Re-seated main earthing point behind battery.
Still the same. Will only fire with 10 initial kicks with decomp on choke, and then run badly and too fast, despite adjusting the carb.

Any and all suggestions now would be seriously considered....

Sounds like may be running too weak on closed throttle, have a look at the rubber inlet manifold between carb and head. 1996 was a transition between the bolt on and cylindrical type.Either way if its still the original rubber than will be well perished by now,remove and check for splits. Quick check on the charging voltage at battery,engine running approx 14.5vdc.Then check coil,primary conections,input voltage and resistance through windings. HT connection sound?Ignition switch have been known to create problems.
check voltage in and out whilst doing the old key waggle. You say youve checked valve timing? is there a change in compression noticed maybe? just check pushrod/tappet adjustment. something simple im sure.
oh and drain off some petrol into a clean glass jar, check for water in tank. cheers gwilly.

Thanks Gwilly. I have ordered a new gasket with our hosts as the bottom half of the manifold gasket was missing. Manifold itself looks fairly new, must have been replaced by the last owner, but the gasket looks like it came from the 1800's. Lets hope that sorts it. Next time your in the lakes I'll buy you a pint. :0)

---------- I'm leaving for the lakes right now !!

Thanks Fellrider, much appreciate the offer. To be honest down here in Devon we have more lakes than we can shake a stick at presently. Sounds like you've found the problem though, well done.

Just a quick update. The £1 gasket from our hosts did the trick. Thanks to gwilly for the quick advice. As I had pretty much completely overhauled the bike looking for the problem, including new battery, plug, filter with everything else cleaned within an inch of it's life......the bike is running amazingly well and starts a doddle. I ride with a large grin until the next hurdle :0) ...there's optimism for you...

At last a ray of sunshine bursts through these leaden skys. So pleased bike is running well,Good news always welcome. cheers gwilly.