Intermittent Stalling

[bobingeorgia]

Took my first good ride late this afternoon after the rain stopped. Cool evening. Engine starts immediately, but cutout. I figured it was because of being cold.choked it and took off after warming up. When downshifting it would occasionally (like 5-5 times over a 40 minute ride) cut out. release the clutch and it would jump start back on. Any thoughts on why this could be happening

[bobingeorgia]

Should read stalling. Typed from an iPad.

[ghostler]

Perhaps the stalking was caused by a left over ghoul with a hangover, as today is the day after Halloween? (Just kidding!)

There is a small black hand twist knob slightly below and to the rear of the carburetors on the left side, which adjusts your idle. If idle is too low, you may need to tweak this knob to increase idle. Idle is normally between 750 to 850 RPM. My guess is your idle speed may be too low.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Bob, after you get it warmed up and shut the choke off let us know what it idles at.
Then we'll see if you should check something else, no need chasing down ghost if they don't exist!

[debron]

Should read stalling. Typed from an iPad.

Fixed!

[Lucasind]

...If the idle speed adjustment increase dosen't fix the stalling , The pilot (idle) fuel jets inside carbs may be starting to get partially plugged up,and the proper amount of fuel is not being delivered to the engine when the throttle is closed, If the P.O. did not ride the bike much, the pilot jets are usually the first ones to clog,as they are the smallest in size. You living in the south, GA. ,........
You still have time this season to try running a few tanks of fuel thru her with some sea foam additive, I get mine from wal-mart.about 8-9 $ per can. try that before paying someone to pull the carbs and go thru them.....but you may have to end up doing that ,if all else fails. ............tony
also, replace that fuel filter,

[bobingeorgia]

Thanks everyone. I had it serviced today at my Honda Kawasaki Suzuki shop. I bought Seafoam yesterday ( 11.99 per can, but 2 get 1 free. ) and added 180ml to a tank. Does that sound right ( 30 ml/gallon).

I'll be riding more than half the winter to and from work ( 12 miles round trip ) . I don't ride to work in rain or when ice or snow is predicted. But I ride home a plenty in rain. I don't want to avoid the Carb cleaning.

[Lucasind]

....Elaborate on "serviced" what did they actually do ? new plugs? fuel filter?
Does the bike still stall out ?

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

It won't hurt to add EXTRA Seafoam (more than normal dosage) once in a while, especially if its running a tad rough. I've doubled the amount on occasion if I fell I've got bad gas.

[bobingeorgia]

Oil and drive oil changed. Brakes checked ,antifreeze checked. I have a list. I am not mechanically inclined. No we did not do the carbs but I am treating with sea foam, used 30 ml per gallon or 180 ml in this fillup. ,

I'm a nurse and not much good turning the screwdrivers, but I can draw blood or start an IV on a newborn. That doesn't do me much good on a motorcycle though.

So if I am still having the intermittent stalling, can I ad more sea foam now?

[doug of so fla]

Yup, You may need 5 or 6 tankfuls to clean it out if that is what is wrong with it after that you may have to go farther if it has not cleared up yet. I have used a method that has worked for several XII's
1. Drain carbs one at a time and see if there is crud in them, doing one at a time you can see if it is just one bad carb.
2. Start engine COLD. While running, drain one carb as you rev engine from 1000 to 3000rpm's for about 10 to 15 sec. Do the rest the same way. When it is draining with engine running it is creating a turbulance in the bowl and that may help clean it out.
One good easy check on a missing engine is to start it in a dark garage at night and see if you have any spark jumping around by the coils to plugs. Keep us informed on what is happening with it so we can maybe help. Good luck