Ivory Ghost
Member
Hey! New to the Forum; hoping for some good feedback. Sorry but I'd accidentally posted this in the wrong place yesterday. Rookie mistake!!!
I have an '85 VMax that's been rebuilt top to bottom and has worked perfect the last 3 years. This morning it left me stranded for the first time. I was in a haul ass hurry because I was late for work so I'd been cruising at about 85 (faster than I've been riding it around town this year) for just a few miles when all of the sudden it started to bog down and I basically could only get it to idle. It was only about 60 degrees out and I'd only ridden 5 miles, so overheat, vapor lock, etc. is not what I'm worried about.
After getting it on a trailer and home after work I began looking into the fuel pump; it was clicking fine, but I only get about 2 ounces of gas in the first few seconds after turning on the key (then it stops). I tried finding answers as to how much it should pump but still have no clue on that; any info would be appreciated.
Anyway, I put it back together and got it running fine, but I still don't think it's right. I've changed the fuel filter so I don't have that as a variable, but I'm no where near confident it can get me down the highway on a long ride.
OK, so here's what I can tell you it's doing. With the fuel line unhooked from the carbs and dumping gas into a small bottle (therefor no back pressure is being built up) it clicks for just 3 seconds after I turn on the key, then it stops. Also, with the gas lines hooked to the carbs, it runs for the same 3 seconds and stops...EVERY time! I can turn the key on (without starting the bike) 100 times, one time immediately after another, and it always clicks for 3 seconds and stops!
I would think that if it was working right it would build up pressure and only click a second or less after 3 or 4 times of turning on the key. I'm doing it as fast as I can and the battery is charged up so it's clicking as fast as I think it ever has. So, since it's not building up enough pressure to turn itself off quickly after consecutive "key-ons" (as it's filling the carbs - and no, they're not leaking gas out anywhere), I'm wondering if there's a good chance that the pump is only working marginally and possibly the diaphragms or seals inside are letting some gas back into the tank.
Bottom line, does it sound like a fuel pump issue; should I just replace it?
I have an '85 VMax that's been rebuilt top to bottom and has worked perfect the last 3 years. This morning it left me stranded for the first time. I was in a haul ass hurry because I was late for work so I'd been cruising at about 85 (faster than I've been riding it around town this year) for just a few miles when all of the sudden it started to bog down and I basically could only get it to idle. It was only about 60 degrees out and I'd only ridden 5 miles, so overheat, vapor lock, etc. is not what I'm worried about.
After getting it on a trailer and home after work I began looking into the fuel pump; it was clicking fine, but I only get about 2 ounces of gas in the first few seconds after turning on the key (then it stops). I tried finding answers as to how much it should pump but still have no clue on that; any info would be appreciated.
Anyway, I put it back together and got it running fine, but I still don't think it's right. I've changed the fuel filter so I don't have that as a variable, but I'm no where near confident it can get me down the highway on a long ride.
OK, so here's what I can tell you it's doing. With the fuel line unhooked from the carbs and dumping gas into a small bottle (therefor no back pressure is being built up) it clicks for just 3 seconds after I turn on the key, then it stops. Also, with the gas lines hooked to the carbs, it runs for the same 3 seconds and stops...EVERY time! I can turn the key on (without starting the bike) 100 times, one time immediately after another, and it always clicks for 3 seconds and stops!
I would think that if it was working right it would build up pressure and only click a second or less after 3 or 4 times of turning on the key. I'm doing it as fast as I can and the battery is charged up so it's clicking as fast as I think it ever has. So, since it's not building up enough pressure to turn itself off quickly after consecutive "key-ons" (as it's filling the carbs - and no, they're not leaking gas out anywhere), I'm wondering if there's a good chance that the pump is only working marginally and possibly the diaphragms or seals inside are letting some gas back into the tank.
Bottom line, does it sound like a fuel pump issue; should I just replace it?
Hopefully I can get a lil' more info!
