I have had this problem for years but never worried too much with it because the bike was unfailing after the cylinder kicked in and I rode it frequently. Now the problem doesn't rectify itself no matter how long I ride it on one cylinder. The left cylinder cuts in and out. It doesn't misfire - just cuts in and out. I've replaced the plugs, new plug wires, new coil, and gone thru the carb twice. What do I do next?
I forgot to mention that the bike is a '95 GSPD.
And tell us...
• Is this bike stored on the side stand, leaning left ?
• When was the last valve adjustment ?
You know Airhead valves tend to tighten up as the valve seats wear. You could have a zero clearance valve and thus no compression. The valve formerly attained some moderate clearance as the head expanded at a different rate from the push rod, and therefore started to run. But as the wear continued, it's now simply held open all the time.
If that is the case, (and this is only a SWAG) then you'll be very lucky if you didn't burn a valve.
Before you adjust the valves, you'll want to take a compression test and then measure the present valve clearances.
Fingers crossed !!
Owning an old Airhead is easy.
Keeping an old Airhead running great is the true test.
Thanks for the tip... I'll check the compression.
Problem persists after sit-up on side stand or center stand.
Problem has persisted over the years spanning tune-ups where I've -- checked / adjusted valves & timing, new plugs, carbs rebuilt / adjusted.
Ran perfectly after left cylinder kicked in after 20 - 30 min warm up ride -- idle, low RPM, high RPM. Even did a 6,000 mile journey -- ran perfectly.
Now the best the left cylinder will do is cut in and out regardless of how long the warm up ride.
Thanks for the tip... I'll check the compression.
Problem persists after sit-up on side stand or center stand.
Problem has persisted over the years spanning tune-ups where I've -- checked / adjusted valves & timing, new plugs, carbs rebuilt / adjusted.
Ran perfectly after left cylinder kicked in after 20 - 30 min warm up ride -- idle, low RPM, high RPM. Even did a 6,000 mile journey -- ran perfectly.
Now the best the left cylinder will do is cut in and out regardless of how long the warm up ride.
Thanks for the tip... I'll check the compression.
Problem persists after sit-up on side stand or center stand.
Problem has persisted over the years spanning tune-ups where I've -- checked / adjusted valves & timing, new plugs, carbs rebuilt / adjusted.
Ran perfectly after left cylinder kicked in after 20 - 30 min warm up ride -- idle, low RPM, high RPM. Even did a 6,000 mile journey -- ran perfectly.
Now the best the left cylinder will do is cut in and out regardless of how long the warm up ride.
Thanks for the tip... I'll check the compression.
Problem persists after sit-up on side stand or center stand.
Problem has persisted over the years spanning tune-ups where I've -- checked / adjusted valves & timing, new plugs, carbs rebuilt / adjusted.
Ran perfectly after left cylinder kicked in after 20 - 30 min warm up ride -- idle, low RPM, high RPM. Even did a 6,000 mile journey -- ran perfectly.
Now the best the left cylinder will do is cut in and out regardless of how long the warm up ride.
Thanks for the tip... I'll check the compression.
Problem persists after sit-up on side stand or center stand.
Problem has persisted over the years spanning tune-ups where I've -- checked / adjusted valves & timing, new plugs, carbs rebuilt / adjusted.
Ran perfectly after left cylinder kicked in after 20 - 30 min warm up ride -- idle, low RPM, high RPM. Even did a 6,000 mile journey -- ran perfectly.
Now the best the left cylinder will do is cut in and out regardless of how long the warm up ride.
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