Bike wont idle, shuts off unless throttled, backfi

[shadow859]

Thank god i stumbled across this board on youtube lol.

I have an 86 ltd 454 I got from a friend for free. Sat about 3 years and I just changed the battery and a few dry rotted radiator hoses on it.

Ran good for almost a month and now unless I hold on the throttle the bike dies, which makes it a pain and dangerous to ride on the mountains. Was told possibly carb?

I worked on cars for a little bit but never messed with carbs. Dont know how to take them apart and local shops here wont take a bike over 15 years old. Any knowledge on a quick easy fix would be appreciated.

also if staring at left side of bike directly to the left of what I assume is the carb is a small hose held by 2 brackets approx 3 inches in diameter. I had gas leaking from that this morning but seems to have stopped.

thank you!

[Blaine]

Welcome to the forum.You can try some SeaFoam (carb cleaner) in a tank of fuel.It sounds like your idle jets are plugged.Not sure what hose you are talking about.If it's the clear over flow hose you may have a dirty float needle.
Here is some good picks of the carbs that may help:
These pics are for the EX 500 (Ninja) Same carbs.
www.ex-500.com/wiki/index.php?title=Carburetor_Maintenance

[shadow859]

Thanks for the speedy reply, upon the post I dove head first into the carb job, (the air box removal was a pain, i switched those to filters to avoid that hassle ever again) I took the bottom housing off and cleaned the jets and re-assembled, it still did the same thing, but upon giving it all kinds of heck it began to sit on idle tonight, will test from a cold start tomorrow and try the seafoam method.


also bike idles at 2k RPM is this normal?

ps: does anyone have a diagram or pic of how the hoses run to the petcock valves? want to make sure mine are connected properly

(hose to prime, on, etc)

thanks!

[Blaine]

Bike should idle at 1200 rpm when fully warmed up.You only have two hoses for petcock.Vacuum is the smaller port.The one pointing down,the other is fuel.

[shadow859]

and to be clear the vaccum pointing down goes directly behind the left carb onto the top of the carb? right one goes down in behind the left carb to a larger nub?

[Blaine]

Apr 23, 2013 22:49:08 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

and to be clear the vaccum pointing down goes directly behind the left carb onto the top of the carb? right one goes down in behind the left carb to a larger nub?

Yep.If you end up eliminating the smog equipment both carbs can be "T"ed together or the rite side blocked off.

[shadow859]

Okay so everything is hooked up right, but still bogs down if I let off throttle. Carbs need adjusting? also backfires at high rpm. like cartoon car loud.

[Blaine]

Apr 23, 2013 23:23:32 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

Okay so everything is hooked up right, but still bogs down if I let off throttle. Carbs need adjusting? also backfires at high rpm. like cartoon car loud.

Sounds like you still have dirty Main jets,causing the backfiring.

[zekkfett]

Apr 23, 2013 23:40:29 GMT -6 Blaine said:

Apr 23, 2013 23:23:32 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

Okay so everything is hooked up right, but still bogs down if I let off throttle. Carbs need adjusting? also backfires at high rpm. like cartoon car loud.

Sounds like you still have dirty Main jets,causing the backfiring.

Also, you might need to rejet for the change to POD filters. There are plenty of posts on here about rejetting for PODs; do a search, and you'll find all the info you need.

Sent from my LG-LG855 using ProBoards

[shadow859]

Well I got it to idle by adjusting the screw, idling clean now at 1/5

seen all your posts about SEAFOAM and heard mixed reviews, seen a youtube video here,

I removed my cone filters and sprayed it into the slide area (half a can) then added about 3/4 of a pint to the fuel tank.

lot of white smoke and backfiring etc like this video, then white smoke gone but now when I am riding it bogs out and lurches before it reaches high rpm?

am i going to have to drain tank and clean carbs again?

[zekkfett]

Apr 24, 2013 13:56:31 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

when I am riding it bogs out and lurches before it reaches high rpm?

At what RPM range does it occur?

[shadow859]

it bogs out and jumps/lurches when riding until i hit about 7k rpms.
I also read that too much seafoam may foul spark plugs?

[zekkfett]

Apr 24, 2013 14:12:23 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

it bogs out and jumps/lurches when riding until i hit about 7k rpms.
I also read that too much seafoam may foul spark plugs?

No, SeaFoam will not foul your plugs, it IS a petroleum based liquid, it burns just like diesel.

So it bogs at low revs, or at high revs? Your reply was a little confusing...... If it does it at high revs, sounds like your main jet is either dirty, or not big enough. If it is at low revs, it's likely you're not getting enough vacuum or "back-pressure" in the air filters, so the slides are not moving as they should.

Others here that run PODs can give you an idea of what they have done to solve their issues.

[shadow859]

It bogs at low rpms, so then it would be the slides not getting the vaccum they need? they are motorcycle filters, uin ? pretty large in size, about the size of the airbox, thick foam too.

[Blaine]

Apr 24, 2013 14:30:21 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

It bogs at low rpms, so then it would be the slides not getting the vaccum they need? they are motorcycle filters, uin ? pretty large in size, about the size of the airbox, thick foam too.

Initially I cured this problem by blocking some air flow to the filters.Buts this also restricts your power potential.I cut 3 coils off the diaphram spring.Now,no more bogging & no restriction of the pods.

[shadow859]

1) how abouts did you go and block the airflow to the filters? it seems pretty open on my frame.

2) what diaphram spring>how do you get to it>and is it cheaply replaceable because I have bad luck lol.

[Blaine]

Apr 24, 2013 15:08:42 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

1) how abouts did you go and block the airflow to the filters? it seems pretty open on my frame.

2) what diaphram spring>how do you get to it>and is it cheaply replaceable because I have bad luck lol.

The cover from a soda can will fit perfectly in between the front of the filter & the carb.When installed in the right direction,will not stop the filter from sliding onto the carb properly.Just cut the hole as big as you need so there is no bogging.
The spring is right under the cover on top of the carb.Just be careful that you don't pinch or tear the diaphram.

[shadow859]

if i clip these springs is it expensive to replace?

[Blaine]

No the springs are relatively cheap.It the slide/diaphram that is expensive.

[eaglerider]

You mentioned that your filters are the trhick foam type.....these do not work so well on these engines.....best we have found are the EMGO paper ones......u can see pics of them in several pics in the Photo Gallery.

[shadow859]

well thank you eaglerider, where may i purchase some of these filters? I will try to post a pic of the filter setup tomorrow.

[Blaine]

Apr 24, 2013 19:57:11 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

well thank you eaglerider, where may i purchase some of these filters? I will try to post a pic of the filter setup tomorrow.

Here ya go.
www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0&_nkw=54mm+Pod+filters&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[shadow859]

now i see why they made you admin blaine lol, heres the kicker...I was reading through some threads here, and seen you had to put a filter on the crankcase vent, I am sorry to tell you that this is my first bike, so I have no idea where that is, nor what size filter it takes..


anyway I can get a picture with a shiny arrow? or something lol.

[Blaine]

It is the round disc right behind the starter.The hose coming from the center used to go to the air box.Now you just put a crankcase filter there instead of the hose.
www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0&_nkw=motorcycle+crankcase+filters&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[shadow859]

is the measurement 3/8s?

[Blaine]

Yes I believe so.A little trick is to use part of the original hose & push the filter into the hose & onto the breather.

[shadow859]

so that first harley filter should work for me then?

also dont remember seeing a hose there.. but will look tomorrow.

first time with carbs as previously mentioned lol. Everytime I get a new toy I want to take it all apart and end up over my head sometimes haha


I truly appreciate all the help.

[Blaine]

Apr 24, 2013 22:15:08 GMT -6 shadow859 said:

so that first harley filter should work for me then?

also dont remember seeing a hose there.. but will look tomorrow.

first time with carbs as previously mentioned lol. Everytime I get a new toy I want to take it all apart and end up over my head sometimes haha


I truly appreciate all the help.

It will work.You may need to block off one end as it looks like it has a opening at each end.I use the 2nd one,but it costs a lot more for basically the same thing. If you look at this link it is hose #92059B.
www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/3/Make/Kawasaki/YearID/26/Year/1985/ModelID/4068/Model/454_LTD/GroupID/127285/Group/Air_Cleaner
See how the bottom is molded to fit the breather cover.If that hose is missing you will need to find one to fit the breather cover & your filter.

[shadow859]

just ordered the second one since it was tried and true, if possible could i get a snapshot of it connected? just to make sure I dont screw up anything else on this bike ahha. sorry for being such a pain.

[Blaine]

No problem.Here ya go.