Trying to help a friend, Yamaha Roadstar(or whatever)

[Omega Man]

Here are the symptoms:

running hot : always
vaporlock(possible hydrolock) : sporadic
leaking gas from carb : sporadic
needs to release gas tank pressure by removing cap to start bike : sporadic
he says there is an odd rattle valve between tank vent and ground

Mechanics tell him the bike is solid. :roll:

Sometimes he has to open the gas tank to start, he says it can't make a single revolution sometimes until he does.

Sometimes 10 minutes after riding and parking he sees/hears a small amount of gas dropping from carb on to the case.

He says he took the odd valve off and he is not sure it works right.

He is not sure whether the fuel pump is mech. or elec.

He bought this lowmile bike in CO. higher altitude, and has always complained that it runs hot...not over heating or even showing on the gauge, he just feels like it's too hot. I've never rode with him so this what I could glean from him while we were working with the same patient in the hospital.

~O~

 

[dan filipi]

Needs to track down that gas leak. That's probably causing most of his problems.

As for running hot, how long has he owned it? Maybe just not used to the heat being blown off a air cooled motor.

 

[Omega Man]

Needs to track down that gas leak. That's probably causing most of his problems.

As for running hot, how long has he owned it? Maybe just not used to the heat being blown off a air cooled motor.

He's had the bike a year now, I'll ask him if he's ever had this type of air-cooled v-twin before. I knew the leaking gas was a big red flag, new info to me as we've had these convos before. Thanks Dan.

~O~

 

[mwbill37841]

better get the leak stopped be for he has a bbq.don't like to see any bike looking like crisby critters.

 

[slabghost]

Check the vent on the fuel cap and adjust the air mix screws on the carbs. Probably set lean for the previous higher altitude.

 

[Omega Man]

Thanx for the input guys. He's decided to have someone look at the carb.

I asked him about ever riding an air-cooled v-twin before and his response was "Yeah I've had air cooled bikes for years..." Again I ask, "a v-twin...an air-cooled v-twin?," "Well............not a v-twin." He also now tells me he believes it "sounds hot." Maybe even hears a tiny knock :roll: The bike has only 16K on the clock. He is a smart guy(smarter than I), he's just all over the place because he just doesn't know what to think. After all it is a gorgeous bike, I think after having that carb fixed he's going to be one happy camper.

~O~

 

[professor8]

This came up while searching for something else so I created an account just to answer some of these questions - and help a fellow rider.

I own a 2004 Road Star. Most of these questions can be answered by going to roadstarclinic dot com. I highly recommend your friend become a member there as the info is invaluable.

running hot : always
- big V-Twin, air cooled. No surprise there.
vaporlock(possible hydrolock) : sporadic
- Not a common complaint - may have more to do with the gas tank vacuum issue noted below.
leaking gas from carb : sporadic
- Known and (!) normal (!). When the engine is hot and turned off, the fuel in the fuel line (running between the cylinders) between the fuel pump and carb expands into the carb. Rather than just forcing the fuel into the carb (and flooding the engine), the overflow tube drips onto the engine (not lots, just a drop or two). Commonly called "carb puke" on the clinic forum. There are ways to lessen it from occurring, but it still occurs.
needs to release gas tank pressure by removing cap to start bike : sporadic
- common issue. the vent tube into the front of the gas tank is likely not working correctly. there is a mod to vent the gas cap that can be done in 15 minutes or less to cure this or you can fix the vent tube issue.
he says there is an odd rattle valve between tank vent and ground
- unsure what this is - not enough info

Also, the engine makes a lot of noise on these Road Stars - there is a service bulletin from Yamaha to explain this to their customers! Most of us just recommend getting louder pipes.

Just trying to help a fellow rider enjoy his ride.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming

-R

 

[AApple]

Also, the engine makes a lot of noise on these Road Stars - there is a service bulletin from Yamaha to explain this to their customers! Most of us just recommend getting louder pipes.

:smilie_happy: :mrgreen: :smilie_happy: :mrgreen:
:thanks: Thanks for stopping by to help out! You're more than welcome to hang around, if ya want...no need to hit and run. :good: :salute:

 

[professor8]

Thanks for the invite to hang around. Always interested in more info about bikes so I'm sure I'll stop in now and again.

-R

 

[joedrum]

yes that was cool for yhr proffessor to do ...thanks for helpimg also :rocks:

 

[toytender01]

Welcome to the site Proffesor from central Calif.