| Author | Message | ||
     Patent |
Hi, Looking for advice on where to start on my blast. Just purchased it, is a 2004 Blast with 7400 miles. I have about `200 miles on it since purchase. At times it runs great, have driven across town (~20 miles) and back with now issues. Other times it cuts out on me. It happened for the prior owner as well, and he'd brought it into the local HD dealer who couldn't replicate the issue, so they chalked it up to driver error. FWIW, I am new to motorcycles, drove dirt bikes a bunch as a kid, but have only ridden three motorcycles for 300-400 miles. That said, I don't think its just user error. First time I was driving at about 40 mph, started up a hill, and I was probably in too high a gear. It bogged down a bit, didn't seem unusual, but then it cut out. Could not restart while on road coasting, so I pulled into a parking lot. I tried it immediately after stopping, battery worked fine and all that, but no catching, and no start. Waited about 20 seconds, tried again, and it started. I didn't smell fuel or anything unusual. Last couple rides I was on it did this several times, at different speeds, and at times would "backfire" a bit. It gives me warning its coming, as it seems bumpy/jerky, as if the gas isn't getting to the carbs, give me that for 50-100 yards, and then cuts out. Again, almost always have to pull over, wait for 30 seconds, and then it starts back up (sometimes a little hard). Have to give it some gas to get idle going. My primary thought is the boot, but I'm fairly new to mechanic work (laid off for now, and therefore doing it myself wherever I can), and thought it would help to ask for help here too. Regarding the symptoms listed on the home page here: I don't seem to have Flat Power Loss other than as described. I do get power loss while its bumping/jerking before it cuts out. I have not had it long enough to judge increases in fuel efficiency I do seem to have the random power loss followed by backfire, then a regain in power some of the time, but others it simply cuts out. Bike starts and idles fine, except as described above. Re the tests, the fuel is on. I have started the bike with the fuel cap off and it starts. I found the description confusing. Does this mean its not a boot issue? I do (as far as I can tell) get consistent spark. I have not placed my hand over the carburetor, not entirely sure how to do this, which probably tells you where I'm at mechanically. I have done some light mechanical work, but not enough, and it takes me a while to figure things out. Thanks for any advice. John | ||
| Roblast |
I wonder if the carb float is misadjusted. It gets enough fuel for a while, but eventually the bowl runs dry... Bike sputters then dies. Wait a few... bowl fills back up. "Rinse/repeat". Does it matter if fuel petcock is set to "on" or "reserve"? You've filled the tank, right. Possible crud blocking fuel tank strainer, I suppose. Might put some Seafoam in the tank (follow directions on can). | ||
| Patent |
The carb's were just cleaned, I've wondered if things could have been messed up in that, but then it did happen before they were cleaned too. I haven't tried running it on reserve. I'll try that. I did fill the tank, used premium but its up here in Minnesota, so its ethanol if that has any impact. The bike sat for about a year (I think largely because he wasn't having fun driving a bike that went dead like that), but it had the problem before that too. I'll try it on reserve, and try the seafoam. Thanks. John | ||
| Ezblast |
Das boot! EZ | ||
| Patent |
Thanks EZ, is the ability to start despite fuel cap open a sign of the boot being the issue, or is it less likely due to that? John |
