'86' V65 Magna build

[hootmon]

Now I just can't figure out why I cannot roll that dang idle down without having to wrench backwards on the throttle.

Are they old cables?? You may have some rust in them IF so..

[Jigger]

The only thing I can think of is. Check and see if the end of the throttle cable might have slipped in the holder.

[ToolBoxPop]

I might try to score a new set of cables just to elliminate that possibility.  You may very well be right though.

[hootmon]

I might try to score a new set of cables just to elliminate that possibility.  You may very well be right though.

Just disconnect each end and slide the cable back and forth, it should slide freely.. Also try sliding it with the bends in it as it is in the motorcycle (IF you take the cable out) It might be worn at the bend and you might not be able to detect it if the cable is straight.

[ToolBoxPop]

Thanks again for more ideas.  I went ahead and pulled both cables lose from the carbs, and worked them in and out while spraying some VVL(spray lube we use in the navy) in the top end untill it came out the bottom.  Took a while but the oil came out surprisingly clean at the bottom end.  the cables move very smooth even in their bent positions as they are on the bike.  I noticed that with the cables completely unattatched, the bike still idles at like 2500.  Is that return line supposed to be able to put enough pressure backwards on the throttle connection to lower that rpm, or is this a good sign that something on the carb is either installed or adjusted incorrectly?

[hootmon]

Is that return line supposed to be able to put enough pressure backwards on the throttle connection to lower that rpm, or is this a good sign that something on the carb is either installed or adjusted incorrectly?

There is a spring that is supposed to return the carbs to idle, it should NOT be a function of the cables.

[roboto65]

As much as I hate to say it you need to take the carbs off again and check the butterflies well before you do that do you have some starting fluid around somewhere while she is running spray some around the boots and base you may also have an air leak somewhere. Check for that before taking the carbs off again.

[dgc67]

he is running spray some around the boots and base you may also have an air leak somewhere. Check for that before taking the carbs off again.

VERY good idea.  totally forget that could cause a high idle.

[ToolBoxPop]

Well, I took the dang carbs back out and checked it all out.  Of course they were way out of sync lol.  I got them all tuned in and then inspected everything again.  The intake boots inside the carbs look brand new as well as the intake boots to the cylinders.  Everything looks good.  I set the pilot screws to 2 1/2 turns out and went from there.  Once they were back in, the rpm was where it should be and the bike seemed to idle really nice.  I test drove it on the neighborhood streets and it's really hesitating then releasing all at once on take off.  On the highway it acted like it was underpowered.  There is now a very "airy" backfire out of the exhaust when I roll off the throttle without pulling the clutch.  When I got it back to the house I noticed that the front left cylinder is barely warm while all others are hot like normal.  This cylinder didn't have this problem before.   It has spark to it and I'm pretty sure the carb is putting fuel to it.  Any idea on what would make it all the sudden go out?

[ToolBoxPop]

Today on the way to work, even in the heavy wind, I could smell gas the whole ride in.  I noticed once I got to work and parked it that fuel was leaking pretty heavily from the left front carb, dripping down the bowl.  After festering on it all day when I was supposed to be thinking of my job lol I anxiously got it home to get a look at it.  I pulled the spark plug and cranked it over with the kill switch to off to see if it would shoot out a bundle of residual fuel and it didnt(thinking that maybe the cylinder was just filling up with gas and pushing it out the intake or something).  The plug looks brownish tan and dryer than a popcorn fart.  No oil either. I turned the switch to on and fired it up with the plug still out and the bike ran like it has been for the past couple days.  So now i'm thinking that since the spark is good and it sounds like the compression is strong with no oil in the cylinder that somehow the fuel is making it to the carbs but not out of that carb.  The other three are fine.  All the jets are new with freshly cleaned tanks/filter and good gas.  Not sure what could cause the carb to overflow with gas but not let it shoot into the cylinder.

[lragan]

If you have new jets, and are sure the carb bowl is filling, it is hard to imagine how the gas is not getting to the cylinder.  I suspect a stuck valve.  Do you have access to a compression gage?  

If you take the plug out, hold a finger or thumb over the plug hole (not down in the hole in case I am wrong!!), leave the kill switch in "kill" position, and turn the engine over, can you feel the cylinder huffing and puffing (inhaling and exhaling)?  Compare what you feel on this cylinder with one that is firing (for reference).  Not as good as a compression gage, but may give you a clue.

[hootmon]

 I suspect a stuck valve.  

I'm not sure a stuck valve would make the carb leak fuel though. I think there is still something going on with that particular carb..

[ToolBoxPop]

Thanks again for the feedback.  That front left cylinder is only putting out 90 psi when the book says it should be throwing 184 +- 24.  I guess it really could be a stuck valve, just kinda a mystery on why it's a stuck valve all of the sudden.  Either way, I've never adjusted valves on a motorcycle before let alone an overhead cam set up, so maybe I should just take it in(as much as I hate doing that).  Thanks so much for the input hootmon and Iragan!

[roboto65]

Did you add a little oil or was the compression test dry. If dry add a little oil to the cylinder and if the compression stays the same then yeah it is a valve if it goes up it is the rings.

[lragan]

That front left cylinder is only putting out 90 psi when the book says it should be throwing 184 +- 24.  ...

You did check the compression on at least one of the good cylinders, didn't you?  Just as a check on your measurement and my conjecture...