honda cb650 won’t run

I can get my bike to start using carb cleaner, but it won’t stay
running. I have cleaned the carbs, replaced the plugs, cleaned the
inside of the tank and done everything else that I know to try and get
my bike up and going. I have completely run out of ideas and hope to
get a few suggestions.

 

Your idle jets and passages are all plugged up. Read what I've said
about idle jets a bazillion times in rec.motorcycles.tech...

 

I have a similar problem with mine. Was working fine this morning,
took out the carbs to replace some broken screws (don't ask) and clean
a few things. When I put it back together it wouldn't start.

It runs for 1 second on starter fluid. Charged the battery, tried to
start over and over but no go. I did play with the idle screws (EPA
plugs were already gone), but I tried to reset them to where they were
before (by number of turns out from seated). There's fuel in the float
bowls. Tried with choke, without, etc (CV Carb). What else can I try?

(thebliv, hopefully if one of us figures this out it'll help the other)

 

Turn the master idle knob all the way out so the throttle butterflies
close completely. Vaccum downstream of the butterflies will be
increased and the starter enrichener will work better.

You might also try hand choking each carb as you turn the engine over
with the starter. This will absolutely maximize vacuum and fuel will be
drawn up into all the idle passages. You can hold the throttle open by
hand until the engine warms up enough to readjust the idle speed to the
EPA tune up sticker's specifications.

 

Check the fuel petcock: is it in the 'off' position (no kidding, it
happens more often than you might think)? If not, have you checked your
fuel screen/filters for blockages? If they're clear, are the fuel lines
clear?

As they say, fuel, air, spark. If it won't start you're missing at least
one, so start checking for the presence of all three. HTH

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

Vacuum operated fuel petcock, so yes in the "on" position. Also, since
the carbs were drained I had it in the Prime position. I just cleaned
out the petcock, and rinsed the fuel filter of some junk (as much I
could, till I get a replacement). Fuel lines, don't know.

It ran with starter fluid, that's why I'm assuming the air and spark
are ok. I kept thinking a pinched fuel line or something, but doesn't
seem like it. I'm going to go home and play with the idle knob, see
how it goes.

 

Visually check the choke plates to make sure they aren't stuck open
when you puill the choke cable. I had this problem with my cb650.

Bret

 

Turns out it was just gas not getting to the float bowls. I think I
had the butterfly all the way closed, don't remember now. After almost
draining the battery twice, I just hooked a tube with a funnel to the
fuel intake on the carbs, and poured some fuel in. That gave it enough
to fire up, and then was able to suck fuel through the system.

Choke plates weren't stuck open (at least, don't think so... runs fine
now).