VTR1000, firing on 1 cylinder, choke stuck, please read

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:25 am

Hi guys, be gentle, first V-Twin.

Just got myself a lovely VTR1000 Firestorm, 98.

Anyhow the story is its appears to be running lumpy, almost as if its firing on 1, The bike has done only 240miles since last August at its MOT, the previous owner purchased it in October and its been sat in a Bus Depot basically.

I have removed the Tank, Fairing, Air Filter, the front plug is dry with slight black carbon, the rear plug is Wet.

There is a spark at both plugs, however I am going to change the plugs, oil, filter etc, clean and re-charge the K&N Air Filter thats in there, I am assuming this is ok to use, it has Standard Cans.

The Choke was basically seized when I got it, it is now a bit easier, but still tight, more WD40 and working to and fro I think!

Anything else I should be looking at as to why the rear cylinder appears not to be firing, hence Wet Plug.

Thanks

Mark

chaz · Post by **chaz** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:44 am

Hi, firstly you might try a carb cleaner, if its been stood chances are petrol went stale (Unleaded does go off), also probably lacquered up most of the jets and choke slides etc. and probably some sediment in there.
try some new fuel and check your cct's, one may have jumped.

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:52 am

Hi Chaz, thanks for the reply.

According to the guy I purchased it from the CCT's were done just before he brought it, however he has no history to back this up, I am going to try and call the dealer in Frome if there is any history to the bike.

As I have the airbox off etc, is it ok to spray the carbs with cleaner from there, after dropping the fuel out of the bowls.

Mark

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Tue May 29, 2007 10:55 am

Hi Taz
Welcome aboard.
The choke can stick in three places.
1st is at the Knob you pull out.(Not there in your case cause both plugs would be black)
2nd is at the join half way down the cable( you can peal the rubber boot back and have a look)
3rd At the carb plunger itself.( If the cable has been pulled too tight it can jump out of the carb and get stuck on the housing as it enters the carb, just reseat it)
Have a look at these places and see if it helps
Dead easy to check before fillng your carbs up with cleaner or stripping them

Pete.l

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:39 pm

Thanks Pete

Will check the routing, etc, I have got the Oil and Filter, just need to get the plugs later today, I have brought Castrol Power 1 GPS 10w30 oil, is that a good oil?
Thanks Mark

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Tue May 29, 2007 5:15 pm

update, I have put the choke cable back the way it appears to route, its now working, both ends at the carbs are opening and closing or sound like they are, just cleaning the K&N air filter and replacing the spark plugs, hopefully by tonight the tank will be back on ready for a run up.

Heres hoping, lol

Mark

LotusSevenMan · Post by **LotusSevenMan** » Tue May 29, 2007 5:38 pm

Welcome aboard Mark....................... and let us know the results eh?

Cheers LSM

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Tue May 29, 2007 6:09 pm

Hi mate and Thanks, is choice of Oil a good one ?

Mark

LotusSevenMan · Post by **LotusSevenMan** » Tue May 29, 2007 6:19 pm

10W30 is good for up to about 32*C ambient temp so should be fine for most of time UK wise. I'd use 10W40 if continental touring etc.
I don't have a personal preference for one make or another so Castrol is OK by me.
I used the genuine Honda oil last change as it was CHEAPER than all the others! Strange but true!!!

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Tue May 29, 2007 6:23 pm

Oh, there's me thinking the 10W30 as recommended on Castrol's site was a good choice, maybe I should use a 10W40 then, for instance Rock at Â£20 or even Honda Oil.

Mark

LotusSevenMan · Post by **LotusSevenMan** » Tue May 29, 2007 7:31 pm

It is a good choice. Just not for red hot countries etc!

Have you got the FireStorm standard-issued-with-bike owners's manual?
This is page 66 of the front (English) section!

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Tue May 29, 2007 7:44 pm

Taz69 wrote:update, I have put the choke cable back the way it appears to route, its now working, both ends at the carbs are opening and closing or sound like they are, just cleaning the K&N air filter and replacing the spark plugs, hopefully by tonight the tank will be back on ready for a run up.

Heres hoping, lol

Mark

Fingers crossed Taz.
Don't worry about the oil. We're lucky if we get 2 days a year getting into the thirties. Castrol know what they're doing

I'm a silkolene man myself but what ever you use it's more important to change it regularly than put it through too many miles. old oil will kill an engine quicker than cheep oil.
Pete.l
P.S Nice info LSM real handy. Hows the new bike coming on?

LotusSevenMan · Post by **LotusSevenMan** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:18 pm

Hi Pete!
Weather's been dreadful here in Kent so not a lot achieved in my 'Blue Sky' workshop, but have fitted the 'Earthquake cans'. These are the ones that Matt (original owner) was using around Folkestone when that earthquake occured. They are std Honda cans with internals removed and straight though perforated tubes fitted. The outlets are basically the same size as the header pipes!!!
Had it ticking over on the new cans when a good neighbour came out and asked if I could turn it off as she couldn't hear her telly; honestly!!!
Have yet to do a ride with the satnav on to set the speedo healer up for the std 16 tooth front set-up (my other was a 15).
A few other bits to sort for my liking but basically they're all there as things like the bar risers, heated grips etc have already been fitted by me to the bike when Matt had it!!!
Looking forward to giving it a good ride-out.

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:32 am

All Sounds pretty good then. All we need now is a bit of sunshine

Just a thought. With the speedo healer set up are you doing it on std sprockets front and rear? If you are it would be really interesting to know what the percentage difference is from what the clocks indicate.
Let us know how the baffle-ectomy works on the road

You know, the usual stuff, performance, throttle linearity, how many car alarms you can set off and babies you can make cry

Pete.l

Taz69 · Post by **Taz69** » Wed May 30, 2007 12:12 pm

[/quote]
Fingers crossed Taz.
Don't worry about the oil. We're lucky if we get 2 days a year getting into the thirties. Castrol know what they're doing

I'm a silkolene man myself but what ever you use it's more important to change it regularly than put it through too many miles. old oil will kill an engine quicker than cheep oil.
Pete.l
P.S Nice info LSM real handy. Hows the new bike coming on?[/quote]

Hi Guys, ended up going out for a meal last night so didnt want to risk putting the air box back in after a few beers, now the wife has me finishing the tiles in the bathroom, so will get on with the bike later on today. Will let you all know how things progress.

Thanks

Mark