chill Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 Hi all. My 86 VFR sat in my garage for 25 years. Last year I rebuilt the carbs. At first the bike would rev way up when started so I started tracking vacuum leaks. Got it running rough but it was late Oct. so I put it away for the winter. Tried to start it this summer. It was very hard to start and when it did it ran for a minute or so then stalled. Now when it starts it runs for 2 seconds then dies. Will start right up again and then dies right away. Bike has less than 9k miles. Fuel pump squirts when I take off the fuel line but I have not tried to measure the volume it pumps. Any help with areas to check much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted August 17, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted August 17, 2020 You can bypass the fuel pump (make sure the tank is at least half full fresh fuel). Fit a new fuel filter. Use jump leads to a car battery. Check air filter housing for nests Check if all vacuum ports are capped Download the workshop manual (download section here on vfrd) stood idle for 5 years: VID_20200721_111226.mp4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelman Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 dija drain the gas from float bowls last time u stored it ?? if not, carbs may be plugged up. use fresh fuel, and flush the tank out, checking for debris and rust. as dutchy suggests, jump from a car battery to eliminate the possibility of weak sparks. check charging system output as soon as u get it running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted August 19, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted August 19, 2020 *** Car not running *** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted August 19, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted August 19, 2020 Indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chill Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 Thanks for the ideas Dutchy - I put a new fuel pump on last year and when it wouldn't run this year swapped the old pump back in, but will try running staight from the tank. The battery was new last year and fully charged before trying to start the bike. I did pull one plug to verify I has spark and it seemed strong, but again can't hurt to try jumping it. Airbox is clean. Not sure which vacuum lines should be capped and can't remember seeing any when I rebuilt the carbs last year. The carbs do vent to atmosphere through short rubber hoses. Bought a hard copy of the service manual off Ebay last year - better picture quality than the download. I'm leaning towards it being a fuel problem (or vacuum leak) just because the spark seemd so strong when I checked it, and I'm not sure I got all of the leaks last year after reinstalling the carbs - ran out of gooos weather. Taking a 4 day weekend, so I hope to do some more troubleshooting. I will keep you posted on progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chill Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 Squirrelman - I did run the carbs dry and pulled the tank and emptied through the opening for the fuel guage before putting it away for the winter. Learned my lesson the hard way, taking the carbs on and off twice last year. I will follow you and Dutchy's suggestion to jump it from my car battery. I did buy new carb boots and another carb rebuild kit that has replacement jets (the one I used last year didn't). Saving that for the nuclear option although I now have LOTS of experience taking the carbs off and on. I did read on another thread several people saying don't take the carbs off the intake plenum.....but I did. I think I got a decent bench synch, but it was the first time I have done a multiple carb setup. No fuel leaks. Apologies for not responding to you and Dutchy sooner - I also have a MGB project going and have been working on that for the last couple of weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted August 28, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted August 28, 2020 Ah! I checked the fiche. Where the later VFR have these and now capped the 86 have a small bolt (#22) with washer (#16) If one or more are missing, the engine will suck "false air" in ...... (as we say in Dutch 🙂 ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelman Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 On 8/28/2020 at 3:53 PM, chill said: I also have a MGB project going and have been working on that for the last couple of weekends. OK, i remember laying on my back under my '57 MGA to bash the Lucas electric fuel pump into working again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chill Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 Thanks for the photos. I will see if mine are capped or not. I spent days with a wiring diagram and VOM chasing a charging problem. Finally got it on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chill Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 Sorry for getting off topic - that last bit was for the MGB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted September 5, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted September 5, 2020 MGB? Picture of the car please!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Thumbs Posted October 2, 2020 Member Contributer Share Posted October 2, 2020 This was in Practical Sportsbike at the end of an interview with a RC30 specialist, his favourite tools Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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