Connie will not run under 3000

[gtrfletcher]

Hi all,
I have bought another Connie. She is a 2006 model with only 18,000 miles on her. She is mint condition. Lovely.
I bought her as a non runner. The PO had left her unused for a couple of years.
I removed the carbs and did a full strip down and full clean.
I changed the plugs, and generally serviced her.
It was very difficult to get her to start. When I did get it running it did not like coming off choke. Will not rev below 3000 RPM.
I ran her several times up to temp, and did get her to idle once at 1100 RPM. As soon as you rev it from idle it picks up ok but when you let go of the throttle she either revs at 4-5,000, or stalls.
I noticed the clock will not stay on when you turn the ignition off. I traced this to the black and white wire at the Jbox having no power. Could this be an issue with the running. I have not checked the valves. Could this be an issue.
My problem is that because the bike was bought as a non runner I do not know if it had the problem before and it may have been the reason why the bike was laid up for two years.
I want to get it running nice so that I am ready to ride it once the weather clears.
Hope you folks can fire some thoughts over to me. I am a little miffed at the moment as I thought it would have all been done over this holiday, and I was hoping to be dreaming of the rides to come.
Now I'm thinking of ways to get rid of the thing.
Happy christmas to you all.

[mlf73]

In reference to the clock issue....check your Accessory fuse in the fuse block.  If this fuse is blown then the clock isn't powered when the key is off.  I doubt that this issue would be related to the poor idling and running that you have.  I don't know how well you tore into the carbs when you cleaned them but you've probably still got some clogs in there if your bike sat for a couple years or so with gas in the system.  Forum member SteveInSunnyFlorida on here does carb cleaning and other related work if you can't get the issues sorted on your own.  Just search for him and you'll find a link to his website if you're interested.  I'm sure a few others will chime in with advice soon.  Good luck.

Marlan

[gtrfletcher]

Hi,
Thanks for the speedy input.
I stripped the carbs and soaked them and the various parts (jets etc) in cleaner for two days. Then a real good blow through of all the passages jets etc. Then a slow re-build. Must admit they were whistle clean when stripped. I was expecting lots of the usual crud and slime, but they were really nice.
I stripped a set from my friends GSX and they were really crudded up. Took me a long time to get them clean. But once re-fitted the bike idled like new.
I also thought it may be an air leak at one of the rubber connectors. So when it was running I squirted WD 40 at each join in turn, to see if the revs rose. Rock steady, so kinda rules an air leak at that point out. My mind is screaming 'air leak' But it doesn't check out.
Just got back in after 'doing the valves'. Well!! ALL the clearances were 'bar tight'. So I spent a while checking and double checking the clearances after I adjusted them. Haven't run the bike yet as it is now late here (GMT).
Checked the fuse you mentioned. Seems OK but I didn't look too deep, so maybe tomorrow I will have a longer look at that set up and see if there is an issue there.
Don't really want to buy another jbox
With luck the valves being too tight will have compromised the compression and that is the reason for this problem. Would be a blinder if that was the case. I will let you know as we progress.

[2fast]

Did you de rack the carbs and remove all rubber to soak them? If not, any soaked parts may be ruined. Just asking cause people do some funny stuff with good intentions. I would venture that most running issues are carbs. Unless you consider yourself quite good with them, or have any doubts, send em to Steve at https://sites.google.com/site/shoodabenengineering/

[turbojoe78]

Check the bottom front edge of your air box to make sure it's not cracked and leaking.

[jimmymac]

Put some techron in the fuel and run it for awhile. It'll clear up.

[2fast]

 

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

Seafoam    Steve

[gtrfletcher]

Hi,
Thanks for all the help.
I am in the UK and do not know what 'seafoam or techron are?
I assume they are fuel additives.
Are they carb cleaning solutions. We do have those sort of things here but I have never heard of people using them. They are the sort of thing you see on the shelf but don't use.
The problem with this bike is at the moment it is unrideable.
Hoping to see what effect doing the valve clearances has had. Will be running it tonight. Will report on the result.
Thanks.

[gtrfletcher]

Hi All,
All the valve clearances were 'bar tight' Don't know how they all came to be that tight. Did it wear to that? Or did someone adjust the too tight? I will never know. But I re-assembled all the bits and bobs, I did a 'Hydrolock' check using Steves (SISF) depth check. (I watched all your videos Steve. Brill!) Thankfully no hydrolock had taken place (remember I got this bike as a NON runner. So anything may have happened to it in the past)
Re-assembled everything and set the vac gauges up to adjust them to the same that Steve has in his video.
Started her up!
AND!!

She runs sweet as a NUT!!

Well well! Bl++dy valve clearance was all that was causing all the hassle. Amazing eh!
Got to go back out to work again now so will have to wait until I return tonight until I can set the vacs up. But what a great feeling. The Connie is alive and well. I can ride her.
Can put all the tupperware back on and get her MOT tested.
GREAT!!!!!!
Thanks for your help (especially Steves videos)
Martin. (UK)

[gtr1000]

Hi Martin 

Where abouts are you in the UK?

I too have an 06 Connie (2007 on a 57 plate) and previously had a 1990 A5 one in white. If I can be of any help/advice (depending on distance), please let me know  .

[gtrfletcher]

Hi Paul,
I am near Cambridge.
This is my third Connie (GTR1000)
First one was a J reg, only about 6 year old at the time. Then I had a Dreg very low mileage bike. My mate had a facelifted version brand new. Lovely bike. It was a French import, if I remember correct we de-restricted it by changing the carb tops.
This Connie is superb. She is 2006 build but registered 2008, so on a 08 plate. So pleased now I have got her running well. I can get going getting the rest of it back together. Looking forward to the coming riding seson. Do you do any of the National Rallies. Welsh Scottish, or National?
Have you ever done the Round Britain Rally?
Connie's are built for this sort of riding.

[gtr1000]

Hi Paul,
I am near Cambridge.
This is my third Connie (GTR1000)
First one was a J reg, only about 6 year old at the time. Then I had a Dreg very low mileage bike. My mate had a facelifted version brand new. Lovely bike. It was a French import, if I remember correct we de-restricted it by changing the carb tops.
This Connie is superb. She is 2006 build but registered 2008, so on a 08 plate. So pleased now I have got her running well. I can get going getting the rest of it back together. Looking forward to the coming riding seson. Do you do any of the National Rallies. Welsh Scottish, or National?
Have you ever done the Round Britain Rally?
Connie's are built for this sort of riding.

PM sent so as not to thread drift 

[MetrickMetal]

Glad you got the problem fixed and it's running great, as it's always feels good when you can fix something yourself and avoid having to pay a shop to fix it, and know it's done right. 

[gtrfletcher]

Hi,
Yes it is good to do a job and get a sweet finish.
It is also really good to have a site like this one where we can get so much great info and help.
Steve (SISF) and his videos are superb. When you think there is a guy who runs a business and still makes the time to do loads of videos to help fellow owners. No mean feat that!
I watched all his videos and it made doing the job a doddle.
I would not have known about the dreaded 'Hydrolock' if it wasn't for his videos. I took the time to make a tool the same as the one he uses and checked my bike whilst it was down. Nice to know it was fine too.
i tried to up load a pic of my Connie to a post but it was too large. I will try to re-size it and post a couple to show her off.
Many thanks to all who helped me.
Martin.