Greetings all. After 25 years of not riding, I decided to return to riding. I bought a new 2007 Suzuki C50 cruiser, but really missed the upright posture that was on the bikes that I learned on, like the Yamaha XS 650 that I bought new in 1974. I decided to go back to what I think is a more comfortable posture, and get some touring capability too, so I bought myself a 1999 Connie! Now begins my saga...
I have been reading a lot of the posts, and it looks like there is a ton of information on this site, if you're sharp enough to absorb it all. Before I retired, I rebuilt steam turbines, pumps and built conveyors, but I have to admit, this Connie has me a bit worried.
I found a nice used 2000 with 15,000 miles on it, and my son wanted it, so being the good Dad, away it went. He rides it to work, and loves it, no problems at all. I liked it so much that I went looking around for another one for me and found a 1999 in my price range, area and 7700 miles!. I test rode it, made the deal, put it on my pickup, and brought it home. It sat a week before I could find a place to get it unloaded, and when I started it, I noticed that it flooded a bit, something that I did not notice before! I rode it the five miles to my house and it ran great! But, when I pulled into the driveway and shut it down, (actually, it stalled out), I saw gas dripping out of the air box! I pulled the tank, and came into check the computer, and found that I needed a new petcock kit, which I did install. I figured that I had a problem in a carb, but hoped that it would clear itself, wishful thinking I guess. I also added a Napa 3006 filter, since the filter on the original petcock was gone! It had a small filter in the line between petcock and carbs, but I went with the bigger one.
I let it sit for four months through the winter without draining the carbs, probably another big mistake! I pulled the plugs and the cylinders were not wet. I smelled the oil, and it had no gas odor either. I started it yesterday, and was really frustrated, my Connie runs with the choke on, then slowly with the choke off after it warms a couple of minutes, and has no pickup, like it is running out of fuel, but I'm guessing. I did find by reading on here, that the red and black lines on the back of the tank were reversed, but haven't tried starting it again yet. It is a California model.
It starts, but runs very poorly, and I noticed that when I started it twice yesterday, twice, it kicked back on start.
I hate to not be able to fix something, and don't have any real faith in dealers, car, bike, or otherwise. My concern is, that I'll make it worse, so I'll probably ask a lot of questions. Getting the carbs out, looks to be a real bear, and fighting with those old rubber fittings looks like it'll be tough too. I guess I need some encouragement, or advice as to which direction that I should take with this bike, I will appreciate any input that I can get.
Thanks for listening Guys