Arfur's gone all Arkwright

[KirriePete]

"G-G-G-G-Granville, f-f-f-f-fetch yer cloth!"

Arfur the XBR at tickover, particularly when warm, will s-s-s-stutter occasionally.  From ticking over at 1400rpm (bit high, but ..) there'll be a pause as if the spark has gone then it'll pick back up again only to do the same 20-30 seconds later, sometimes more frequently.

No problems when running normally, tried a few plugs, it's got an Iridium in it just now (not coz I believe the performance bs, but they do last longer and I like the skin on my knuckles) - makes no difference.

Suggestions, "They all do that sir", wild guesses are all welcome, just nothing that might cost me money, OK?

[guest27]

Nothing that will cost you  money

Ignore it, they all do that sir, it is pre-seizure, popular on 1980's 2-strokes and all the rage as an added feature on 90's thumpers.  Will add several hundered to its vale on eBay - especially if you list it as RARE!!!!!!

For anyone who is interested I have the numberplate off my XT250 that was stolen 20 years ago - it is totally unique, not rare but a one off - yours for a starting bid of say... £2000?

Fuel over heating?  Vibration frothing fuel?  Coil getting a bit warm?  Pi**ing Pixies playing a game?

R

Had to edit as the microsoft thought police pixies let pi**ing through - I added ** for our younger readers.... 

[guest18]

ok now you've had the p*** ripped 
Have you got the tappets / carb set to the original Honda values or the later ones?
I can't remember off the top of my head what the newer settings are (someone will be along to remind us I'm sure) but changing the tappets on mine brought tickover down to a reliable sensibly low speed and stopped the stalling it was plagued with at idle 

[Steve H]

Air leaks around inlet manifolds are another possibility

[robG]

I.m having a similar problem with my Bonnie .Two carbs , twice the problem

I've got a bit of a miss at low revs on one cylinder .Suggestions have ranged from {as per Steve H }leaky manifold ,to bunged pilot jet .Both have been checked so are now going to the carb itself .Possibly the pilot hole in the carb body is partially blocked .

The bonnie will run fine once moving and there are no issues with the performance when on the go.One of those sneaky pixie problems sent to amuse us  .A minion of Lord Cak ,God of all things chaotic and mechanical has clearly descended upon us both .
Should all other things fail , suggest a few cloves of Garlic on the handlebars and some voles urine on the front tyre to ward off further visitations .

Rob

[guest7]

I think there's a copy of the Honda advisory note here on this site somewhere. It details the revised jet sizes and valve clearances that they suggest to cure a problem with idling.

However, if your bike has managed this far without a problem then either it's one of the ones that didn't have the original problem (I have one of these on old jets and clearances) or, more likely, it's been changed already. Have a look at the sheet for the revised clearances. From memory (so this need checking) they were 15in, 19ex (I'm sure there shoudl be a decimal point added somwhere but you know what I mean).

GC

[KirriePete]

15 & 19?  Blimey, you could chuck a dog through that!  Arfur is still running at 10 & 12 (centigrade I think!), so that might be worth a punt.

I'll have a dig around to see if I can find the advisory - looks like being a quiet day at the coalface anyway, so this could keep me awake.

Cheers

[guest7]

I had a quick look but couldn't see it. I'm sure Steve H will be along to soon to say if it's here or not.

If not then I will check later today and get back to you.
GC

[KirriePete]

Aha!  Found an earlier post from your good self GC, which covers this very subject:

Told you it was quiet!