Runs rough for the first minute or two

MagnaDaddy · November 13, 2009, 09:22:02 AM

Any thoughts on why my V45 would be running rough for the first minute or two then smoothing out fine?

lragan · November 13, 2009, 10:14:03 AM

Ken, my third gen bikes need to warm up before they really run as they should. I take it that this is a recent change in performance?

Can you tell if it is stumbling on all cylinders, or just one or two?

As you know, Austin recently went to 10% ethanol mix in the gasoline. I haven't noticed a difference in performance in my bikes, and in fact welcome the ethanol as it keeps water in solution as the tank breathes. (Not normally an issue if you ride several times a week, but can be if you don't leave the tank full and the bike sits for a month or more.) Ethanol may be an issue for some bikes/carburetors, but I don't understand the particulars.

Folks on this forum seem enamored of Seafoam, a gasoline additive. I use a bit in a tank every six months or so as a preventive. I have no experience with it actually curing any problems, but I am certain others will chime it on this point. Used as directed, it seems harmless, so you might try some before doing anything else.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

hootmon · November 13, 2009, 10:23:46 AM

You mentioned the first minute or so but failed to mention what your use of the choke during this period of time.. What's going on with that??

I had a similar issue at one point and it continued to get worse until it just wouldn't take off anymore.. In the end, I had to clean out the carbs...

Might try some SeaFoam as suggested..

Sledge Hammer · November 15, 2009, 01:57:19 AM

Ken, I seem to recall that my bike did that when the battery cable connections were loose. You've probably already checked for things like that, but I just thought I'd mention it on the off chance you hadn't.

MagnaDaddy · November 15, 2009, 08:39:44 AM

Yes I do use the choke when starting.

Yeah I'd notice they are mixing Corn Liquor in the gas here now. The guy who's helping me rebuild the CB900 rides an old GS550 and he's actually seeing better performance when he mixes 1/2 e85 and 1/2 premium in it. he said the plugs look like it is burning much cleaner than with straight regular.....

I think I'm gonna check the valve clearences on the front head as that is where the where the roughness sounds like it resides

MagnaDaddy · November 15, 2009, 08:12:25 PM

Well your Manga can start to sounding kind rough when the valves are .002 too loose

All the noise was coming from the from head so I pulled the radiator, popped the lid and got out the feeler gauges. Following the notes here o the forum and using Dave Dodge's method it only took about 2 hrs start to finish and Lightning is purring now!!!

Can't wait to see how she rides to work in the morning.

MagnaDaddy · November 16, 2009, 10:59:34 AM

Wow, I gotta a new bike !!!! All the power is back

lragan · November 16, 2009, 02:13:12 PM

Quote from: MagnaDaddy on November 16, 2009, 10:59:34 AM
Wow, I gotta a new bike !!!! All the power is back

Congratulations, Ken. This is valuable info.

Did I understand correctly that only the valves on the front cylinders needed adjusting?

KTC · November 16, 2009, 03:05:42 PM

i have a friend who was complaining that his lawnmower wasn't running and he suspected a fuel problem, so i told him to buy some seaFoam and pour in there and that would fix his troubles. i was 1/2 kidding and the next day he calls me and said that stuff works great, he now buys it for his cars!!

dgc67 · November 16, 2009, 03:28:44 PM

Quotei have a friend who was complaining that his lawnmower wasn't running and he suspected a fuel problem, so i told him to buy some seaFoam and pour in there and that would fix his troubles. i was 1/2 kidding and the next day he calls me and said that stuff works great, he now buys it for his cars!!

Thought you were going to say "he adjusted the valves" or something related to the conclusion here...

How long was the problem occurring and what kind of "noise" were you hearing? I can see them being out of adjustment causing noise, and lending to a rough idle. but having a little trouble with the amount they were out of adjustment "solving" the problem.

MagnaDaddy · November 19, 2009, 09:53:45 PM

The noise was definitely clickity clicking of the valves, which had been getting worse over the last few months. I'm thinking that the valves and the worn out battery combined to give me rough running / hard starting. Bottom line is it runs MUCH better than it did before, like 1st gear makes her jump like she used to and the clicking is gone.

dgc67 · November 20, 2009, 12:41:40 PM

QuoteBottom line is it runs MUCH better than it did before, like 1st gear makes her jump like she used to and the clicking is gone.

and THATS what matters!

Runs rough for the first minute or two

dgc67

dgc67