Good evening everyone New Member here with a problem with my 2003 voyager xii

[Preid55]

First off I went to start her up the other day to get her cleaned up a bit and ride. Well she didn't want to fire up, the starter kept turning but wouldn't fire. She finally fired up but the idle was rough and she wouldn't run after a decent warm up time unless the choke was engaged some. I went the next day and bought new plugs and got them installed without issues. She was still running a bit rough but after a bit she smoothed out but, it seems when I twisted the throttle a bit it didn't seem she was firing correctly. After some reasearch online and going back out the the shed and started her up again only the 2 outside pipes are getting hot, which tells me she is only firing on the first and fourth cylinders. I am not by any means a mechanic especially on motorcycles but this doesn't seem normal. She had set for a while but I kept her running. Any ideas thoughts that may help me figure this situation out would be appreciated very much.

[cushman eagle]

Welcome,Preid55,to the Voyager club Have you ever drained your float bowls,or used Seafoam?If not each carb has a drain valve.Drain one at a time into a clean container to see if you get crud out of any of them.Start the engine long enough to refill the empty carb,then do another,until they have all been done.Hopefully that will give you an idea on what your next step will be.Some on this forum run a can of Seafoam monthly,others at different intervals.I use a can occasionally through the riding season,then winterize my bikes,mowers and antique gas tractors with it. Let us know how you are getting along with your bike.I also urge you to become familiar with the downloadable service manual on this forum if you do not already have a copy.

[Lucasind]

If 1 and 4 are hot ,and 2 and 3 are cold ....you have a clue to where to look, as the in- line four fires in this manner .

[triton28]

As touched on by lucasind, it would seem as though there may be an electrical issue/disconnect of some form to the RH side coil as # 2 and 3 cylinders are fired by this coil and it is too coincidental for both cylinders to NOT fire enough to at least heat up the pipes without having said electrical disconnect.
It may be a fuel problem but my money is on an electrical issue.
I don't think it is a typical coil failure as a typical failure takes place ONLY after the coil has operated as designed for a time factor, then when the coil has had a chance to heat up internally, the windings go to an open circuit condition due to the heat/expansion of the wire and do not produce the high voltage spark until the coil cools down after the engine has been shut off, or stops.
Check the small plastic connectors by the RH coil for corrosion/separation/voltage and I would also check the connection of the high tension lead to the bakelite/plastic plug caps since you mention having changed the plugs. There should be enough 7mm plug wire to remove 1/4" or so, (no more), from the end of the HT lead, complete with it's internal wire, then screw the plug cap back into this newly shortened plug wire.
But again I think it is a connection issue as usually it is one wire/cap connection or the other wire/cap connection that has the problem. It is so coincidental for both to act up at the same time, but maybe.
Hopefully this consideration and/or the fuel theories will solve your problem.
Dave