Bike stuttering excellerating first and second gear.

L

lee_man

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Hi everyone.

I am a new rider and just purchased an 81 yamaha maxim 550 @ the beginning of the summer. I have recently been having issues while excelerating... If I excelerate quickly I will stutter 1-3 times and my rear tire does a little breep sound each time like it is losing traction and if I shift immediately into second it might do it once. it started off just every once in a while now it is every time unless I ease very slowly into first.


Any ideas :(,

lee_man
 
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First off you mean accelerate...second as a new rider its usually not the best idea getting a 30+ year old bike.

Given your limited symptoms my guess is you may have a burnt/slipping clutch.
 
Thanks for the advise, I am not sure what your issue is with the old bike. I have been fixing it up myself and it has been very cost effective.

lee_man
 
There are likely several things that can cause this. Most probably fuel delivery or ignition.
For fuel delivery, Carbs not synced is one, Clogged jets or stuck choke is another.

Start simple. Your bike was never intended to run on modern fuel I'm guessing your carbs are getting a bit gunked up.
Pour 1/2 can of Seafoam into the gas tank then ride until empty, then repeat.
Two times through should clean things up.

Also check that the spark at each plug is a strong blue spark, not a weak white or yellow. Make sure the plugs are a nice even tan color.
If the are sooty then you're running rich or if they are white you are running lean.

As mentioned before check the condition of your chain and sprockets, and chain tension.
A loose chain may cause some kick back under heavier acceleration.
 
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It's been mentioned before but I'll toss something in there to give you a visual

I'll go on a limb that you are maybe pulling on the throttle a little harder now that you are getting some confidence so I'm guessing you know how to shift and aren't messing with the clutch making it jerky.

If your carbs are plugged, it can depend where. I'll go on a limb and guess your main jet's might be gummed up so when you twist now you hit the main jets and it goes off the rails from there. I'll second the carb cleaning. Its a must if it wasn't done. the Seafoam will help you until you can tear these bad boys out and check them for yourself.

As you can see from the pic below, from 3/4 and up, your main jets take over so if they are clogged a bit it can cause your bike to run up well and start to sputter. same if anything else in there isn't cleaned and operating properly.

MikuniThrottleChart.700.jpg
 
lots of good advice here. I would start by checking the chain tension, then look at the carbs. It sounds like a plugged needle.
Just in case, check to make sure that if the rear hub had a cush drive, that someone didn't remove it.
It's a large rubber donut in the rear hub.
 
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LoneRonin said:
First off you mean accelerate...second as a new rider its usually not the best idea getting a 30+ year old bike.

Given your limited symptoms my guess is you may have a burnt/slipping clutch.
Click to expand...

That sounds nothing like a burnt clutch.

This is how you tell you are in a GTA forum -it's just not motorcycling unless you are riding some debt-ridden new bike that only a dealer can adjust at $100 an hour.
 
Interesting Thanks all for the input... From what I have read it might be the carb/gas intake valve. I am taking it over to my friends garage on the weekend to to take a look. I will keep you guys posted :)

lee_man
 
lee_man said:
I used star tron on my bike... I know sea foam is good also.
Click to expand...

If the bike was sitting a while, those additives won't fix the problem. You may need to remove the carbs and clean them. Check Youtube, lots of videos, and its not difficult.

Also, check the rubber intake boots between the carb and the engine for cracks, if there are leaks, you will lean out and sputter.

Are the air filter and pipes stock?
 
That was it... joint carb 1 and 2 both have cracks. Super expensive little pieces of rubber. cheapest I found was $150 with shipping. Thanks everyone for your input!

lee_man
 
lee_man said:
Soooo, Parts replaced. the chain has to be retention also. The bike is running awesome!

Again thanks,

lee_man
Click to expand...


I think the earlier crack about a new rider on an old bike referred to the fact that learning to ride and learning to maintain a bike (especially an old one as you have found out) are 2 different things and both have separate learning curves.
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