Hi folks I have been lurking for a while and have learned quite a bit. I just purchased a 2009 with a 351 from bill blue and a pumper carb. Has about 5k miles and was well maintained and got it super cheap from gear head friend. All had been good for a few weeks. A few long gravelly rides and mountain roads and everything was smooth. Easy starts and a good idle. I am a newer rider so be kind.

Two days ago during a commute (20 mins 45mph max) the engine started shuttering at speed,loosing power right at the end of the commute. I accelerated up a hill and it stuttered like it was loosing power and then stalls as I turned in to park. Won’t restart immediately but I had to leave it. Returned couple hours later and it ran the home commute fine.

The next day commuted in 50 degree weather And it was fine. Then going home in 80 degrees It happened. I was approaching a light so throttle off and then accelerate through the light it stuttered the same way like it was loosing power. It stalled and I had to coast through a turn and pull off.

It and was harder to start, but I might have flooded it though I thought I was being careful (didn’t smell gas or anything) About 5 minutes later, and a lot of start attempts with choke and not, it finally it started with choke and then idled fine with no choke and made it a mile home.

It kinda feels heat related to me because it’s after 15 minutes of running great and starts up fine again after it cools a bit and the next day. It also sounds a bit clunkier when running hot. Thoughts?

I followed a guide to double check set fuel/air. Open until idle drops, count spins back until idle drops, set in the middle. That put me at about 1.5 turns from closed. The idle is smooth at just over 1.9-2.1k rpm (ish). Drained the carb for good measure and cranked right up again. Didn’t get much other info so here I am. I did a few searches but came up empty.

I got some feedback on Facebook that it might be the ignition coil so I have one on order to swap out. At this point I am wondering if I shouldn’t just take it to a power sports shop and pay through the ear to have someone give it a thorough once over and adjust/tune it all up. I just sold a Lifan kpx250 because I didn’t trust it’s reliability and thought this bike would be a good alternative and it stalls after only owning it a month. Life is funny like that. I love this 351 and how it rides and I hope it’s something simple that my limited knowledge is overlooking.

Thanks in advance.

 

It never hurts to have a good shop check the bike out. You can tell them a limit of time if you want to keep control over cost. Like give an hour, stop and contact you if going more. I've seen people buy all kinds of parts chasing a problem that the service department probably could have found quicker and without $500 worth of electric stuff that won't be returnable.

Again the emphasis on a good shop. Ask around, see what the word is.

 

Thanks. I don’t think I am too far from that point. There just aren’t many good shops in my area it seems. Just one general Motorsports dealer and a Eurosport’s dealer that won’t touch anything except what they sell. I am not a part of a community of riders in the area yet so word of mouth is thin.

I need to do a few more rides to see if I can replicate the situation and get some more details to troubleshoot with.

I am a probably going to look at swapping out the fuel filter and the ignition coil for new and then head to a mechanic.

Thanks for the response.

 

Ignition coils are known to fail during higher heat before they finally give up.