'82 V45 Troubleshooting

[WayneCowen]

35K miles...always ridden on a regular basis.
Recent power loss at both lo/hi rpm.  Starts instantly...runs smoothly with no "missing" or roughness.  Will not idle.

Would be most appreciative of troubleshooting ideas/priorities. Have not yet started the process of trying to track down the source of the problem.....did run a little carb cleaner through it.  Have not done a compresion check.   

[dgc67]

Are all cylinders firing for sure?

[WayneCowen]

Appears to be spark at all plugs. Maybe a little weak.... not a crisp blue in color.  Guess the fact that it starts instantly and runs smoothly should make for a smaller list of things to start checking.  I have noticed that the coolant temp is now running cooler than normal!
Any ideas as to the first two or three places to start would be most appreciated.

[WayneCowen]

Any opinions out there as to whether the lower coolant temp is coincidental, or whether it may be an indicator of an engine mechanical problem?

[TLRam1]

So many issues here Wayne and my lack of time at the moment to cover all possibilities.

You can check header pipes "extremely quickly" soon after startup to see if all cylinders are firing. As you are riding you can do the same with heads/cylinders for the same purpose. 

Not much to go on here, is it a cylinder that's stopped firing, missing.....this could be electrical or fuel related. 

How long has it been sitting over the winter or has the bike always been ridden, did this just start as you were riding one day?

If this has a fuel pump, maybe worn out or seals bad, carbs dirty, fuel delivery has a partial blockage, plugs shorting out, coils breaking down, do you have a hot battery, is your charging system working. This is a shotgun approach brainstorm, see if you can eliminate items or give more info. 

[WayneCowen]

TLRam1.....appreciate the response.  I will post when I accomplish anything in the troubleshooting process.  Am aware that it could be a long list of things.  Rlden regularly.....problem just appeared at startup one day.  Damn, it's only 27 years old!
My feeling is that I should start with a compression check.

[Brad Badgett]

When I had my '82 V45,  motor was idling fine-filled up, rode to Dallas, stopped at Ardmore to put on rain gear, and it would not idle.  messed with the idle screw- no luck.  Stopped at Gainesville for fuel, still no idle.  Rode on into Rowlett, just always remembering to keep the revs up a little when at a light.  Motor ran fine- just no idle.  When I got back to Norman, had the carbs cleaned, idle was back.

Brad Badgett
MOOT #164
OK Region
1996 VF750C

[TLRam1]

Where do you live Wayne, if close by maybe someone could lend a hand.

[WayneCowen]

I live between New Braunfels and San Antonio.  Have not spent much time in the shop lately with the temp in triple digits!  I try to stay out of the heat...am so old that I get senior discounts without asking!
I intend to have a compression check done as a starting point.  Maybe a valve problem.....it is overdo for clearances check.

[lragan]

Wayne, I have had good service from 35N Honda in New Braunfels.  I live just up the road toward Oak Hill from The Salt Lick, and will help you if I can.  Us old guys need to stick together!!

I don't have experience with the first gen Magnas, but own a 3rd gen and a nice complement of tools, which you are welcome to use at my place if you choose to tear into it.  It is in the shade, but not air conditioned... whew, you are right, it is hot!!