idleing blues (2009)

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richieschrein

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Apr 11, 2008
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:roll: the motorcycle just will not idle its been sitting around on and off since 05 ive run periodically and changed batteries since. it wont even think of idleing its a kicker and shell still start right up but as soon as you try to drop the throttle shell stall my batterie reads 12 volts on the meter.ive had the thing since 1973 and she has sat for long periods but never carried on like she is doing now.ive been through the gas and carbs i got to be missing something.or could the batteriy have something to do with the idle please help my 73 interstate
 
If its been sitting, and now won't idle, I would think that the pilot jets are plugged up. These are really small openings, and could get plugged easily.

Either a really small drill bit (#78 ) or the wire from a bread bag twist tie carefully run into the pilot jet should improve things.

If you've soaked the carbs in carb cleaner, it helps to blow out the pilot passage with air once you've rinsed the carb cleaner off.
 
Are you running points or electronic ignition? If points, then I would suspect the auto advance mechanism. They have a tendency to wear a groove in the slots and hang. Also if it has been sitting as you say, the rotating mechanism may have enough rust to keep it from advancing.
 
richieschrein said:
:roll: the motorcycle just will not idle its been sitting around on and off since 05 ive run periodically and changed batteries since. it wont even think of idleing its a kicker and shell still start right up but as soon as you try to drop the throttle shell stall my batterie reads 12 volts on the meter.ive had the thing since 1973 and she has sat for long periods but never carried on like she is doing now.ive been through the gas and carbs i got to be missing something.or could the batteriy have something to do with the idle please help my 73 interstate[/q thanks for the input both responses work for me
Click to expand...
 
Buy a .016 drill bit and glue it in the end if a brake clean plastic tube. Keep the tool for life, use it on the idle jets way back in the body behind the air screw. Spin the bit a lot as you feel your way into the small opening. The drill bit is way too short to do the job without the handle.
 
If you have a hard bowl gasket or slightly out of flat bowl, the seal from the bowl to the idle jet will be compromised. If you are drawing air there versus fuel you will have a no go on the idle circuit. I got some newer soft bowl gaskets that seem to work well. On another bike I actually have an o ring in there as well as the bowl gasket. I recesses the bowl hole to accomodate an o ring. Could also be the equalizer tube or manifold leaks.
I am leary of the o ring carb to manifold gasket and run a home made gasket with a slight smear of silicone seal.
 
The amal carbs wear badly on the slides.
The pilot jets could be blocked, but the slides may just be worn.
You will never idle with a set of worn carbs.
15000 miles for a set of amals, then they are knackered.
Stuart
 
bigstu said:
The amal carbs wear badly on the slides.
The pilot jets could be blocked, but the slides may just be worn.
You will never idle with a set of worn carbs.
15000 miles for a set of amals, then they are knackered.
Stuart
Click to expand...
I think it would depend on what type of riding you do and how aggressive you are with the throttle etc. Pumping is not necessary as with the ticklers. Perhaps a shot of lube every few miles might slow the wear. Use an "A" guitar string to unplug the idle jet as the center wire is about 0.014" (the jet is 0.016" ) and the windings around the outside, allow you to twist it between your fingers which helps greatly to unplug it also applying fuel stabilizer to break up the varnish especially if the machine sat for a long period with fuel inside the bowls. Fuel injector cleaner also seems to work well.This is a common problem if you cant get the thing started or it won't idle. (no fuel getting through idle circuit)
 
Another old tread a few years old 2009 infact, be a few of these lately without people knowing.

Ashley
 
it's because of the upgraded forum/site layout that now shows older similar threads related to what is written in the subject header with new topics, and on every page displayed when reading a thread, right at the top, in your face

often, the older similar threads are only at the bottom (less conspicuous area) of a page, or not shown at all, depends how an admin sets it up & or what the default setting may be with a software upgrade

so it's real easy to end up clicking on those related links/threads & end up responding without noticing the date

the intent of showing older similar threads is that folks often ask questions that have been asked many times over & if/when looking at those threads, ending up finding out what they are looking for & not repeating another thread

or very often, there is plenty of available info about a topic

continuing an older thread can end up being both either relevant or not, i find the addition of seeing older helpful related threads that come up automatically, very useful in figuring things out

everyone also participate in forums with diff backgrounds & levels of experience, as well as activity, some a great deal vs random rare
 
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84ok said:
it's because of the upgraded forum/site layout that now shows older similar threads related to what is written in the subject header with new topics, and on every page displayed when reading a thread, right at the top, in your face

often, the older similar threads are only at the bottom (less conspicuous area) of a page, or not shown at all, depends how an admin sets it up & or what the default setting may be with a software upgrade
Click to expand...

I asked Jerry if he would move "Similar Threads" to the bottom of the page so perhaps we won't be seeing quite so many old threads reopened.
 
actually, i just noticed when u open a thread, the 'similar threads' goes to the bottom
 
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