Carb recommendations.

[Rayeyoung]

This is my first post here at MOOT and I think it is awesome you have a community for Magna owners.

I recently purchased an 82 Magna V45 with 3,000 miles on it. I purchased it from a friend and we had the local Honda dealer do the 4,000 mile service to it. They had to work on the front brake caliper and the throttle was a little sticky as well. The bike spent most of it's storage time in a garage not outside in the weather.
When I got it back from Honda after the 4,000 mile service, the idle was set too high. It would idle at about 3000 rpm when warm. Honda suggested I run a tank of Gumout through it. I did and no change. I brought it back to Honda. They said they needed to drain the carbs to adjust the float. While draining the carbs the service manager told me there was a lot of residue in the carbs from the carb cleaner. After I got the bike back the second time the idle was a touch to low (about 800 rpm). When I brought it back they showed me where they set the idle by turning the adjustment between the carbs. The idle is currently set at 1100 rpm and usually stays there no problems after its warmed up.

This is where my questions begin. Since I have gotten the bike back from Honda it has ridden well. My concern is that the carbs aren't operating as they should. I'm getting roughly 30 mpg. I'm sure I'm riding her a little hard however does anyone find that to be on the low side?  Below is a list of observations that lead me to believe the carbs still need work:
1.   I'm getting about 30 mpg (even if I'm riding it hard, is that a little low)?
2.   When I crank the bike with the choke on, what should it idle at? Currently it idles at the same 1100 rpm as it does when warm. When cold if I take the choke off, the idle drops to about 800 rpm until it warms up then the idle goes back up to 1100 rpm. I've always thought the choke should raise the rpm higher than a normal idle.
3.   The bike seems to have three idle points after warm. If I'm riding down the road at say 55mph and come to normal stop by downshifting when I stop and come completely off the throttle, the bike will idle at 2200 rpm for a second or two then drop down to 1800 rpm for a couple seconds then it will drop again to 1100 rpm. It will do this if you get on the throttle in neutral as well. Is this normal?
4.   When the bike is warm sometimes it will idle high (2000 rpm). I can ride it just a few feet and the idle will drop back down to 1100rpm.

Is it possible to fully clean carbs with them still on the bike (I doubt Honda pulled the carbs during the service)?
I read a post on here where it was recommended to double up on the seafoam and run the seafoam in every tank till the seafoam is gone to clean your carbs. Is that recommended? Would it be better to go ahead and have the carbs pulled and cleaned by Honda (I am unsure, the carbs have been tuned while gummed up if they are cleaned with seafoam if they will need to be retuned after seafoam cleans some of the gunk out)?
Although, I'm not afraid to wrench on a bike I don't have the space to pull and clean the carbs so unfortunately I will need to pay someone to do this if this is recommended.
This is my first Magna so maybe this behavior is normal. Any comments or recommendations are welcome. I'm hoping to save a few bucks by not having to take her back to Honda but if the above behavior sounds like it needs additional work I want to have her back in Primo condition!
Also, I live and ride at about 7,000 ft elevation and the Honda dealer is local (also 7,000 ft elevation) so they are aware the bike rides at high altitude .
Thanks in advance for any comments or replies!

[roboto65]

1 Yes this kinda low even getting on it
2 Thats about right mine is a 3rd gen and it does the same thing
3 This is not right sounds like you are a little lean or the throttle cables need attention

Try the seafoam first see if that helps if not well you could make a road trip down here and we will fix you UP !!!!!!

[dgc67]

I too bought a v45 that had been sitting.  I had the same idle issues as you are mentioning in number 3/4.  After a few thousand miles of riding it and using Seafoam it has gone away.  Not much immediate help I know, but at least some insite I hope.

[Jerry G Turner]

30 mpg is way low you should get between 40 to 45 no matter how you ride it. No you can not completely clean the carbs without taking them off the bike I am sure the dealer charged you quite a bit I would take it back and make them get it right.

[Rayeyoung]

Thank you for your responses!

I will bring it back to Honda and ask them to go over it again.

I thinking I just needed to hear I wasn't losing my mind and I should be getting better gas mileage.

If they say the issue is not related to the carbs I will update this thread on what they have diagnosed.

Thanks again!

[Magna 4 Me]

Personally I think you are wasting your time taking it back to Honda again.  You've had it there twice and they didn't get it right either time.  From what I have heard from numerous other members Honda shops most of the time just shoot some carb cleaner in the stacks and call that a carb overhaul, and charge you an arm and a leg.

My recommendation would be to get with some knowledgable Mootsters in your area and arrange a wrench session, pull the carbs and pull the jets and clean all the orifices, check the linkages and make sure the "choke" is working right. 

It sounds like maybe your choke is not disengaging when the knob is pushed in.  That would explain the same RPM and the low MPG. 

Can't tell where you are located but we have many Mootsters around here that have done this exact work, and can help you out.  In the mean time try the Seafoam in the tank, we still may need to pull the carbs anyway, but that will start the cleaning process.

[dgc67]

Any luck on this yet?  I would love to know how/if you get it resolved.

[Rayeyoung]

Well, I have an update.
After discovering that the local honda shop never even looked into the Carbs the first two times they had it I think the 3rd time was a charm.
They agreed to completely go through the fuel system this time. They said although the carbs needed adjusting the biggest problem was that they never replaced the spark plugs or air filter when they originally went through the bike.
After getting the bike back it sounds much better. So far the idle has been solid and choke seems to be working properly again. I have only got to ride it about 75 miles this week since I got it back. I plan on a longer 300 mile ride this weekend so I think that will be the real test. I will also monitor my gas mileage and update this thread.

I normally would have looked at the basics (i.e. Plugs and Air Filter) but that was part of the service I original paid honda to do (I can't believe I was this naive). They didn't charge me a dime and they have fired the Service Manager I was dealing with. They assured me that if I have any additional problems they will look into it free of charge. I'm still a little sceptical of this place but the bike seems to be running much better.

Thanks again to everyone that replied with any advise. I will be looking thru this great forum you guys have for advise in the future! Thanks Again!

[roboto65]

Well it sounds like they stepped up to the plate and made it good!!!! That would restore a little faith !!!

[L J VFR]

Yeah, what Allen said.    I would definately keep in touch with this Honda dealership!!   It sounds like you have them by the (nice word)!!!    

[dgc67]

It sounds like you have them by the (nice word)!!!

Horns???