Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech A couple more newbie ?'s 04 America 2600 miles

Starting: starts tough, even with choke on a little tough to keep running, should I give gas before turning over?

Experienced air lock after filling it up, died on highway, has ran fine since, any fixes?

Any particular jack stand better for storage on these?

Change oil before and after winter?

THANKS!

any work done recently? dont use full choke when starting, 1/2 should be good enough.

Frank

Is your bike stock? We need to know how your bike is set up. Have you touched the idle mixture adjustment screws on the carbs?
You shouldn't have to touch the throttle when starting. Started mine this morning - temp below freezing. Simply pulled choke and hit starter. Try turning up your idle adjustment knob on the left side.

Dying on the highway could simply be a pinched vent line to the tank. This line runs under the fuel tank to a tip over valve between the carbs, then to the left side of the rear of the engine. Next time it happens loosen the fuel cap to see if bike starts. This is the usual problem with stalling out at speed. (PS did the bike give any indication it was going to stall before it quit?)

Jack stands are personal preference. I have the simple lift which has two parallel rubber coated bars which catch the frame, straddling the oil filter. Available in many configs and models. Here's a like to the accessories section - http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...0&fpart=all

I change my oil every spring and run it till I hit the max mileage allowed by Triumph or next Spring which ever comes first. Only use quality synthetic like Amsoil 20W-50 or Mobile VTwin 20W-50.

Thanks for the excellent advice, I know the prior owner put shorter louder pipes on it but did not rejet the carb, I had him put the stock ones back on. I do not beleive other adjustments were made. As for it killing, it started to sputter simulating it running out of gas prior to killing, I had filled it up about 14 miles prior, next time I'll try loosening the cap, I did not see a pinch in the vent line, I'll look closer. Thanks again.

If the line is pinched, it will be up under the tank usually around the rubber front tank mounts.

The vent outlet under the engine on the left hand side behind the transmission could also be plugged with road grime.