Hitchcocks Forum

Hi All, I have bought a 2001 Bullet 500 which I am having trouble keeping running whilst it warms up. It will start from cold with a couple of kicks but when it starts to warm up it wont take any revs and spits back through the carb and stops. Its very difficult to restart and when eventually it runs again I have to play with the choke to keep it running until its warmed up. Once warm it will run ok but the tickover was too fast so I have had to turn that down meaning next time I start it I expect there to be no tickover at all until its warm, if it gets that far.
One thing I have noticed is the small rubber cap that the choke actuating shaft passes through is perished, does this make a difference, letting air in maybe?
Any advice please?

When I got my '99 500 Bullet I had similar problems, so I got the Mikcarb ultrasonically cleaned and fitted new gaskets/seals. After that I was able to get it started and work on the mixture and tickover.

I'd take a wild guess that your pilot jet is blocked.

Thank you, I'll have a look at the carb and get it cleaned.

TB, As MB says - if you are capable - a complete strip and clean of the carb would probably not go amiss. I take you've read "Tuning and Using Mikcarb Carburettors" in the Tech section?

Re-read your initial post, if you've just bought it could well of been stood for sometime allowing the fuel in the carb to evaporate and coat the inside of the carb with a varnish like substance and play all sorts of havoc. I'm sure it you look on YouTube there will be a video of someone striping, cleaning and putting back together one of our carbs. Check float height while you at it. Good look.

Jet varnishing is the main reason why so many 'why wont my bike run properly' posts appear on here after winter where the bikes have not been used and weren't stored with a dry carb.

Hi guys------ agree with all the above and would also add that modern day "Petrol" will start to decay ( for want of a better word ) if left standing over time and leave a film of water at the bottom of your fuel tank and float bowl.....I'd be inclined to give the whole fuel flow-line a clean out, in particular watch out for rust in that 16 year old tank....If you can, I'd fit a small in-line filter between the carb. and tank.........Incidentally a brand new VM28 Mikcarb isn't all that expensive and would solve any wear-related problems that your current carb, might have...... Did it on my 2003 Bullet '65 and was well worth the money.....Plus you can practice strip/re-build on the old carb to hone your skills !!