Modify message

Welcome to Vulcan Drifter Riders. Please log in or sign up.

Main Menu

Vulcan Drifter Riders
► DISCUSSIONS
► Drifter 800 Only
► Modify message ( Re: 800 will only start when choked )

Modify message

The message has the following error or errors that must be corrected before continuing:: Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 180 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

Subject
Message icon
Reason for editing

Bought my 800 from a guy who said it ran perfect....when I got there, he couldn't make it run, because it had been sitting. Rest of the bike was straight. He diddled with it for about  2 months and the best he could after all the basics discussed was to get it to run only on choke.

I made an offer and trailered it straight to the dealer for state inspection, tires and most importantly, to have the carb rebuilt.....that was 12k miles ago. So if the bike has been laying around, ethanol may have gotten to it. I like the cleaning the jets idea.

The only thing that doesn't make sense is that you have been running it .... so I'd look for the obstruction you broke loose. Don't know what kind of mileage you have on it....mine had only 10k when I had that rebuild done...best thing I ever did and have zero problems since...always put the ethanol deterrent in every tank full.  Stick with it....you'll get it. Try everything else first...carb rebuild is pricey, but if you know that's it...worth it.

Attachments: (Clear attachments)

Restrictions: 6 per post (6 remaining), maximum total size 64.00 MB, maximum individual size 29.30 MB

Uncheck the attachments you no longer want attached

Click or drag files here to attach them.

Insert width (px):

Insert height (px):

(Clear attachments)

Other options

Lock this topic
Return to this topic
Don't use smileys
Move this topic

Shortcuts: ALT+S post or ALT+P preview

Topic summary

Posted by gdrudd13

- July 27, 2015, 09:08:59 AM

One thing you might check is the tank petcock. It actually has a screen on it. I know on mine it went bad, most likely because of gunk in the tank. I just bought a new one since it was only a little more than the rebuild kit. I would check the carb first, but keep the petcock in mind if cleaning the carb doesn't work.

Posted by kfoster

- July 26, 2015, 20:37:54 PM

Sounds like it is time to pull the carb and clean the pilot and main jets. If you need to use the enricher to start it each time, you have an obstruction in fuel delivery. It sounds like you have looked at the obvious already. It may also be a good time to add an in-line fuel filter in-between the tank and the carb.

Posted by CDNRatMan

- July 26, 2015, 14:45:03 PM

Well one thing is my 800 has the soul of a wife, it is the coldest bike I have ever owned. Almost every day I need to choke it to start it, but only a few seconds and it is good to go. Good for the rest of the day also, but if the temps go below 60*F then need to choke more often.
49 is also correct it could be just a lot of crap from the tank floating about.

Posted by pcarrell

- July 26, 2015, 14:43:36 PM

I was thinking the same as 49. It sounds like you have a fuel starvation issue to me.

Posted by 49Reo

- July 26, 2015, 14:20:01 PM

The one big downside to adding 'cleaners' like Sea Foam, Lucas, STP, etc, s it loosens up gunk in the tank and lines; this will in turn clog filters, jets, etc. did that on my wife's car one time; added fuel injector cleaner of sort( can't remember the brand) a week later the car quit and had to be towed home. Changed the fuel filter(clogged) and good to go. Used the stuff on a regular basis after that.

Posted by Never too late

- July 26, 2015, 09:57:25 AM

Hi Everyone

It's been awhile, but I still have my awesome 2001 drifter 800.

Went out recently on a 30 min trip to visit a friend (nice easy ride), it rode fine but on the way home it sputtered at each stop... Stalling out until I choked it to restart. Did that about 20 times until I got home.

This was about the 10th time out this year. Used Seafoam in gas tank in attempts to rid the carb of any gunk.... No help so far. Now it starts when choked only and when the choke is off it stops. Any simple starting points: I have opened the gas cap while starting and it starts only when choked. I have tried to start it in pri and again it only starts when choked.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again NTL

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk