My new to me Trike has some new to me issues...

[Diablo]

Went out Christmas day for what I thought was going to be a nice long run to get used to three wheels instead of two. Started out a cruise across the lake, and then a 55-65 mph 8-10 mile jaunt up to the highway. Everything was fine until I hit the highway and goosed it up to 70 mph. Bike started acting like it was out of gas which I thought strange since I'd only ridden 30 or so miles since filling the tank, but switched to auxiliary and with no change dropped back to main.

Speed dropped below 65 and about 60 it smoothed back out but immediately started in again trying to get to highway speed...It was then I realized I had left my phone sitting on my desk and even then service can be sketchy in the boonies around here. I twisted to WOT and was barely making 60 mph with every once in a while a "surge" to what I consider normal but only for a few seconds...The best description other than being starved for fuel it's like I was running on one cylinder with the second cylinder kicking in every 20 seconds or so.

Info:

2003 Motor Trike Conversion of a Honda Shadow 1100 Sabre

Mileage:

14,100 +/-

Previous owner said a full service was done about 12,500 miles.

I'm thinking (hoping) it's a restriction in the Main Jet on one of the carbs, and a healthy dose of SeaFoam or Startron with some fresh gas will clear things up. I will pull the plugs later today and see what that tells me as well. Fuel Filter is also suspect but looks like it way too much of a PITA to get to (bad back and limited patience). I have a MT dealer about 25 miles from hear and the closest Honda / MT dealer is about 50 miles away. We also have a couple of MC shops here in Gun Barrel City as well and I can see if one of them will work on it...seems like they should as it's the MC part not the Trike part...

I'm open to any and all suggestions...I'm already wondering if I should have gone with a used TriGlide or Gold Wing, but I'd really like to give the Shadow a decent try. The Shadow is a solid axle, and a really stiff ride that jolts my already sore back on many of the road "imperfections"...I checked the air and it was set up to 80#'s (PO rode two up a lot and just took a 1000 mile road trip loaded with luggage before I bought it)...My plan is to lower it to 20#'s and see if it improves or bottoms out (I'm not a "small" man...LOL)...Again open to any suggestions and all are greatly appreciated!

Larry (Diablo)

[rhino 2]

Went out Christmas day for what I thought was going to be a nice long run to get used to three wheels instead of two. Started out a cruise across the lake, and then a 55-65 mph 8-10 mile jaunt up to the highway. Everything was fine until I hit the highway and goosed it up to 70 mph. Bike started acting like it was out of gas which I thought strange since I'd only ridden 30 or so miles since filling the tank, but switched to auxiliary and with no change dropped back to main. Speed dropped below 65 and about 60 it smoothed back out but immediately started in again trying to get to highway speed...It was then I realized I had left my phone sitting on my desk and even then service can be sketchy in the boonies around here. I twisted to WOT and was barely making 60 mph with every once in a while a "surge" to what I consider normal but only for a few seconds...The best description other than being starved for fuel it's like I was running on one cylinder with the second cylinder kicking in every 20 seconds or so.

Info:

2003 Motor Trike Conversion of a Honda Shadow 1100 Sabre

Mileage:

14,100 +/-

Previous owner said a full service was done about 12,500 miles.

I'm thinking (hoping) it's a restriction in the Main Jet on one of the carbs, and a healthy dose of SeaFoam or Startron with some fresh gas will clear things up. I will pull the plugs later today and see what that tells me as well. Fuel Filter is also suspect but looks like it way too much of a PITA to get to (bad back and limited patience). I have a MT dealer about 25 miles from hear and the closest Honda / MT dealer is about 50 miles away. We also have a couple of MC shops here in Gun Barrel City as well and I can see if one of them will work on it...seems like they should as it's the MC part not the Trike part...

I'm open to any and all suggestions...I'm already wondering if I should have gone with a used TriGlide or Gold Wing, but I'd really like to give the Shadow a decent try. The Shadow is a solid axle, and a really stiff ride that jolts my already sore back on many of the road "imperfections"...I checked the air and it was set up to 80#'s (PO rode two up a lot and just took a 1000 mile road trip loaded with luggage before I bought it)...My plan is to lower it to 20#'s and see if it improves or bottoms out (I'm not a "small" man...LOL)...Again open to any suggestions and all are greatly appreciated!

Larry (Diablo)

Sounds like it’s starving for fuel if that happens again I will crack the gas cap open a little bit and see if that improves otherwise it could also be a fuel filter has to be changed Hope that helps a little bit ? Also I haven’t messed with Petcocks in quite a while usually there’s a little fuel bowl in them And it could be plugged up with dirt?

[Diablo]

Sounds like it’s starving for fuel if that happens again I will crack the gas cap open a little bit and see if that improves otherwise it could also be a fuel filter has to be changed Hope that helps a little bit ? Also I haven’t messed with Petcocks in quite a while usually there’s a little fuel bowl in them And it could be plugged up with dirt?

I'm thinking starved for fuel is it...the question is whether it's a filter or carb issue...I'm so used to Fuel Injection this has me stumped for the moment

[rhino 2]

I'm thinking starved for fuel is it...the question is whether it's a filter or carb issue...I'm so used to Fuel Injection this has me stumped for the moment

If its a Carb issue..[But more than likely its a plugged vacuum line]...

And If you can get to the bottom of the Carb there is a bowl with a bolt on the bottom take that off and clean it out, But first make sure the fuel supply is off you'll still get a few oz's of gas running out....I would also pull out the pin that holds the needle valve and make sure that it is clean, And careful of the floats, Make sure you don't put them back upside down......

[Diablo]

If its a Carb issue..[But more than likely its a plugged vacuum line]...

And If you can get to the bottom of the Carb there is a bowl with a bolt on the bottom take that off and clean it out, But first make sure the fuel supply is off you'll still get a few oz's of gas running out....I would also pull out the pin that holds the needle valve and make sure that it is clean, And careful of the floats, Make sure you don't put them back upside down......

Went out to pull the plugs and either they're not 5/8" or I'm just not patient enough. So I have a new set of universal plug sockets in all 5 known sizes...plug sockets are like 10 mm sockets...a man's gotta have more than a few! Also have new plugs, fuel additives, air filter, and some drive train oil.

I'm really leaning towards carbs. I fired her up and there is a "miss" at a steady throttle (no tach but I would have to guess 2000-2500)...the miss will pretty much go away if you apply 3/4 to full choke. She's always popped on decel and particularly a hard decel. I learned a long time ago that there are two things I should definitely stay away from...one is electricity and the other is carburetors. If new plugs and new fuel with a healthy dose of cleaner doesn't cure it then it's off to the mechanics. If I don't get a wild hair and trade her for a different one.

Thanks for the feedback Bob

[CrystalPistol]

I got plugs in different ones that use 9/16", 5/8", 3/4", or 13/16" & I think one even uses 11/16".

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Check the Air Cleaner ... notoriously ignored service on Honda's ... especially Wings ... people just like the "bullet proof" feel of a Honda. Not sure how hard it is to change on your's, but, the wings are a time consuming process.

[Diablo]

I got plugs in different ones that use 9/16", 5/8", 3/4", or 13/16" & I think one even uses 11/16".

The plugs are buried on the shadow...the boot for the rear plug right side is almost 3" long (below the 90 and dirt cover)...of course it will be easier to tell the size when the replacement plugs get here...

[Diablo]

Check the Air Cleaner ... notoriously ignored service on Honda's ... especially Wings ... people just like the "bullet proof" feel of a Honda. Not sure how hard it is to change on your's, but, the wings are a time consuming process.

Air cleaner is buried under the seat I think...new one is one the way. About the only think I like better about working on the Shadow vs my beloved V-Star is there is dipstick to check the oil. The V-Star has a sight glass that I had to lay on the ground, or put the bike on the jackstand to see. Of course all of them I've had never used a drop of oil so the only time I really bothered in the end was during a yearly change...

[Marc H]

I'm gonna say 18mm for the plugs.I think you have a plugged fuel filter.My wing did the same thing to me few times.Both times a fuel filter fixed it.

[Diablo]

I'm gonna say 18mm for the plugs.I think you have a plugged fuel filter.My wing did the same thing to me few times.Both times a fuel filter fixed it.

I thought the same, so I ordered fuel filters along with all the other suspect parts I can somewhat easily replace.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Found this ... kind of sounds like your issues on steroids ...

[BIG DENNY]

I'm thinking starved for fuel is it...the question is whether it's a filter or carb issue...I'm so used to Fuel Injection this has me stumped for the moment

Maybe a can of BG 44 just a 1/4 of it should do it ride it hard and don't baby it.

[Diablo]

Found this ... kind of sounds like your issues on steroids ...

Uhhhh No!...I took the carbs off a CB900 Super Sport I was restoring and swore (a lot) never again!...Nice tutorials though and I bookmarked it just for a reference.



Larry

[Diablo]

Maybe a can of BG 44 just a 1/4 of it should do it ride it hard and don't baby it.

Thanks for the tip Denny...I have both Sea Foam and Startron coming. I'm a firm believer in StarTron and used the last of my stash in my V* since it's not being ridden.