Still having trouble with #1 plug fouling

[mcgovern61]

Isn't it the pits that money dictates how many toys we can have. Should have been born rich.

I was born rich and remain rich! With my family, I feel like the richest man in the world! I just don't have any money!

 

[kirkwilson]

Good attitude, Gerry! I had to look at the bottom of your post to make sure your name isn't Rich 'cause that would make it a whole different thing...

Took your advise and did the compression test today- Just like I figured- no smoke, not overheating, not using oil- the compression is good- #1- 165, #2- 170, #3- 160, #4- 160.

So it's got to be that carb. The seals and gaskets are all new replaced by Pistol Pete last fall, the carbs are spotless clean inside, but the floats, jets, needles are not new. So I'm thinking that's where I should go next.

Sabercycles has 4 kits with everything but the floats on Ebay for $32 = s/h. That's for all four kits. Should I go for that or should I bite the bullet (and my wallet) and get it from Honda?

And I did not check every air passage to make sure they were clean ( I know, I know, while they were off... Mr ******) but the carb looked good inside I skipped it. Could a clogged air passage cause the carb to run this rich?

 

[dan filipi]

I would stay away from ANYTHING mechanical from Saber Cycle because their quality is very questionable.
Honda original is by far the best way to go.

 

[kirkwilson]

Thanks, Dan. Will do-

 

[joedrum]

cloged passages is the problem im sure .....but you never know .. its easy to clean what you see but that dont make them work .... these carbs are realy hard to clean right ....ive got some carbs to clean myself .....id go for the cleaning again brfore throwing parts at it yet ....

 

[dan filipi]

I agree with Joe. I'd measure the gas in each bowl, try to pinpoint the problem before buying anything.

Could swap needle and seat with another carb and compare some more.

 

[kirkwilson]

You're right - no sense throwing money at it when there are still other things I can try-

BTW- called my local Honda stealer-

Needle jet/ needle/ main jet- discontinued
Float w/ valve- $121

 

[dan filipi]

Might be a good idea to call Pistol Pete, maybe he has a source or maybe there are some reliable aftermarket he has experience with.

 

[kirkwilson]

I'm going to take your advice, Dan. Carbs come out again-hey, by the 3rd or 4th time I'll know what I'm doing- I'm swapping all the parts between #1 and #2- and I'm going to be a lot more thorough- Octane on the NGW forum has a pretty cool carb rebuild post and this time I am going through every air passage and every little thing else he has in there- This old Wing is going to fly again!

 

[Omega Man]

This old Wing is going to fly again!

That's the attitude!

~O~

 

[kirkwilson]

I talked with the PO and he spoke with his son who used to run a Goodyear garage- Son said that if the bike ran great for first 25 miles on new #1 plug then started missing because plug was fouling problem had to be ignition not carb.

I had already switched plug wires/caps one side to the other and no difference. So I pulled the coils and switched them left for right (or 1 & 2 for #3 and #4)- coils are identical. With new plug in #1 ran her 25 miles this morning ran great! until the plug fouled then missing, etc, parked it in garage and let her cool down. Pulled the plugs and again #1 black and others OK. I thought hey as long as I'm checking ignition stuff let's check the two ignition do-hickies under the shelter just in front of the rectifier so I switched the connections on those- replaced the #1 plug- went for a ride. 30 miles- running great! 31 miles- same old problem- missing, misfiring. #1 black.

So tomorrow morning the carbs come back off- # 1 gets cleaned until it's almost wore out- I'll be switching all the jets, floats, etc between #1 and #2 so we'll see where the fouling goes-

So that's the plan, Stan-
Stay away from my #2carb, Dan-
I'm going for a ride, man,
And set myself free.... {;>} (loosely stolen from Paul Simon)

 

[dan filipi]

We're all routin for ya Kirk!

 

[kirkwilson]

Found two clogged air jets - one on #1 and 1 on #3-

Getting better all the time! Geting better! Better!

 

[joedrum]

start useing ATF kirk in the gas about 8oz per tank ....

 

[kirkwilson]

Let the carbs sit all night with Yamaha carb dip in all the air jets. Sprayed them out today with carb cleaner then dried them out with compressed air.

Then switched all the parts from # 1 to #2 carbs and visa-versa- except the slides (pistons ?). Switched all the jets, floats, float valves, needles, etc had to reset one of the floats.
She fired right up and I think my problems are over- she sounded so good. Didn't have time to ride this afternoon but I'll get her completed tonight and test ride tomorrrow AM-

Thanks to all for the advise and I'll keep you posted!

 

[mcgovern61]

Keep at it Kirk! Your doing great! :whip:

 

[dan filipi]

Let the carbs sit all night with Yamaha carb dip in all the air jets. Sprayed them out today with carb cleaner then dried them out with compressed air.

Then switched all the parts from # 1 to #2 carbs and visa-versa- except the slides (pistons ?). Switched all the jets, floats, float valves, needles, etc had to reset one of the floats.
She fired right up and I think my problems are over- she sounded so good. Didn't have time to ride this afternoon but I'll get her completed tonight and test ride tomorrrow AM-

Thanks to all for the advise and I'll keep you posted!

Awesome Kirk! Sounds like you got it?

 

[kirkwilson]

Not to be.....

Now I'm starting to get discouraged.

Rode about 35 miles tonight- Bike ran great- much better than before. No missing- all was great with the world-

Until she cooled down and I pulled the plugs- #1 black as coal- others clean as could be-

Heavy sigh.......

 

[joedrum]

well the only thing you didnt change was the slides as the carbs go and it did run better ......i bet your coils are weak not shot just weak ....i went round and round with my 79 1000 with carbs and timing and wires but most of the trouble was the weak coils and ignition it had .....the 1100s are a lot different but if i were you at this point id gets some better spark....theres proably enough difference in the no.1 cylinder from the rest maybe to cause it to run black from the weak spark ....you said its running better and it is so the carb work did a lot its just not all the problem .....seems like there was a thread about some common car coils that work on the 1100 that realy upgraded the ignition system and not a lot of money maybe someone can find it .....

i think your getting close real close to getting it right .....your bike is thirty yrs old and the coils could be original ....honda ignition is nowhere as good as the wings motors are not even close.... :Awe: :rant: :doh: :head bang: :lazy: :builder: :builder: :mrgreen:

 

[dan filipi]

Not to be.....

Now I'm starting to get discouraged.

Rode about 35 miles tonight- Bike ran great- much better than before. No missing- all was great with the world-

Until she cooled down and I pulled the plugs- #1 black as coal- others clean as could be-

Heavy sigh.......

Did it foul?
Seems like that's much better than it was.
I think I read it fouled much faster than that.

On mine #4 is black but doesn't foul, the others are dark tan.