 Carb sputter?
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6 |
I have an '07 America, and the engine seems to slightly sputter at cruise speeds, but the roads are so bad up here in Idaho that I'm never sure if it isn't just the pavement combined with a torque threshold. Anyway, newbonneville.com has a new petcock that allows more gas flow, and that seems to describe my problem. I have already removed my petcock and the screens seem fine. Any thoughts on gas/air flow, spark, or am I just at that torque threshold? I've never experienced a ride like this, but it's so suttle that I wouldn't expect the shop to acknowledge it.
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6 |
Oh yeah, and what led me to think of the petcock? When I do run low on gas, no matter how fast I reach down and switch to reserve I can't keep the bike going without stopping and waiting 2-3 minutes for the fuel to fill the carb bowls. Every other bike I've owned would recover almost instantly before I lost 10 mph. Anybody else have fuel or reserve flow issues with their America?
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Oh yeah, and what led me to think of the petcock? When I do run low on gas, no matter how fast I reach down and switch to reserve I can't keep the bike going without stopping and waiting 2-3 minutes for the fuel to fill the carb bowls. Every other bike I've owned would recover almost instantly before I lost 10 mph. Anybody else have fuel or reserve flow issues with their America?
I hit reserve as a matter of course. Never does it take me 2-3 minutes to recover. more like 5 seconds. This could be a problem in fuel delivery. Which would cause symptoms of your aforementioned sputter,.i.e, fuel starvation. Check the hidden filter. The oem fuel tap is more than adequate for fuel delivery. We get the pingel so the off position means off. The oem petcocks dribble in the off position.
If you find no reason for such poor fuel delivery by examining the petcock, the fuel line, and the hidden fuel filter, check your float height(s).
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Your sickle is under warranty. Have the stealership look at it but be sure to tell them of the 'switch to reserve inordinate recover time'.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
+1 Moe...sure sounds like a clogged "hidden filter" if it takes that long to recover. A sure test of fuel flow would be to attach a clear hose to the bowl drain nipple and open the screw to see what kind of flow you get (into an appropriate container, of course).
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
We get the pingel so the off position means off.
I got mine because its pretty 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
+1 Moe...sure sounds like a clogged "hidden filter" if it takes that long to recover. A sure test of fuel flow would be to attach a clear hose to the bowl drain nipple and open the screw to see what kind of flow you get (into an appropriate container, of course).
+1 on Oldroadie and Moe. Sounds like you are starving for fuel. Check the simple things first.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64 |
Yep, clogged hidden filter or petcock I think, could be in the float bowl too but not as likely.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
+4 with the others. I always run until I HAVE to switch to reserve. It sputters and recovers very quickly - just a couple of seconds - barely slows me down.
Must be either a clog somewhere OR is there a lot of vacuum pressure in the tank when it's low? The stock cap is not vented. I've been using the flush mount vented cap almost since I got the bike. In general, my fuel flow is not quite as good when low - I can just about tell I'm going to hit reserve. Vacuum in the tank could also restrict gravity flow like holding your finger on a straw.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Carb sputter?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
As for the torque, with a stock engine, the torque curve is so flat you could use it for a table. From just off idle to redline,except for a slight bump at around 3200, you get the same amount of torque.
I have a feeling that they may have gotten the tank vent hose pinched in the front tank mount while setting up the bike. That is a pretty common problem that causes a vacuum buildup in the fuel tank. This reduces fuel flow to a slight trickle.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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