Running on one cylinder today?

[glockem45]

Well since it is finally warming up this week and in the low 50's, I went out and pulled my 1995 900 ss/sp out of hibernation. I cleaned the bike, installed the battery, and fired it up. Upon starting it, it was only running on one cylinder for roughly 10 seconds and then a nice backfire occurred, and then the other cylinder kicked in. I had to let the bike just idle for a while before actually hitting the throttle b/c it was not happy with me trying to rev the throttle until it was warmer. If I did rev the throttle it would kill the bike, and then I would have to put it at full choke to start it again.

I drove this bike for 150 miles roughly about 1.5 months ago, and I put a full fresh tank of fuel and fuel stabilizer in the tank since then. So I don't think fuel is the culprit. So does this mean that the Carb is gunked up, or what? Do I need to get the bike tuned? Obvious question, I know. I assume this is just do to the fact that the bike has been sitting for a while and that it has been cold as heck since the last time I rode the bike, but I have tuned the bike pretty well and I am just surprised that it was having troubles today. What do you folks think?

[desmodue68]

Try checking the sparkplugs. I even bought a set of Keihins when instead I should have checked the effin´plugs.

[cdansan]

Check the plugs and the plug wires. I have had the insulators break on the plugs, I don't know how or why. Check that the plug wires have not come loose in the boots or the coils, they are only pressed into both. There is nothing to really hold them in. Check the wires for cracks and arcing. The dyna coil kits from ca cycleworks are worth the money, easier starts and slightly smoother running, imho. FCR's make it more difficult to start, being as they have no choke.Good luck, Dan

[desmodue68]

Pay especial attention to the insulators on the plugs, as csdan says. Try moving them with your finger. They should´nt move or turn at all.

[F1 Miami]

Its either spark or fuel. First, with the bike running, spray some wd40 into the carb throat of the dead cylinder, if it sputters to life for a second, then its a fuel problem.

If not, then a spark problem