A week yesterday I picked up my first! First things noticed when I got it home were, fuel gauge didn't work, chain was over tightened, rust in fuel tank and it wouldn't idle for me. *WEEK 1* Yesterday I got into it, first thing I fired it up and hey what do you know it ran fine! Wd40 fixed a stiff side stand and a stiff front brake leaver. Then it was on to trying to get the fuel gauge working, didn't have much luck there. Loosened the chain off and found that the bolts that allows the rear brake to swing were well over tightened and this stopped the wheel going forward enough for the chain. I expect this is why the chain was over tightened in the first place. Called a mate and we were about to go for a ride when the bike would no longer idle so the rest of the day was spent trying to find the cause of no idle. At the end of it all we belive the vacuum to the fuel tap is not as strong as it should be and isn't allowing enough fuel through, there never seemed to be more then a dribble in the bottom of the fuel filter, filter looks quite new so don't think that's the problem.
If it has a fuel gauge and the tank is rusted, it's likely that the float/sender unit is stuck. Since you need to get the tank off to clean out all the rust, see if you can get at the float/sender with the WD40 or similar. The tank also might have pre-filter screens that are clogged with rust.
Check the filters screens inside the tank by taking out the fuel tap. The screens should be sitting over the top of the inlet pipes.
I think it might be the actual gauge because the main shafts is bent but it may still work if I clean the sender. Thanks I'll look at those screens, I wasn't aware that there would be a pretty filter screen so this might save a lot of head scratching.
I'm guessing you've tried tapping the gauge... percussive maintenance When bikes live outside in the weather it's common for gauges to get sticky or stuck entirely.
I wondered if you would end up making a thread but good to see you have. There is alot of very helpful people on here.
Diaphragm in the fuel tap is prone to wearing out/getting holes. With a vacuum petcock it's an annoying hassle. Maybe thats part of your issue, moreso than the vacuum itself. If in doubt try it on prime, that bypasses the vacuum altogether.
Not much but some more work on the bandit today. First off I pulled the tank off to make sure the filters were letting enough fuel through and turns out that is fine. Next on the list was spark plugs so pulled them and...... black and wet! I think I found my running issue.
They guy I got it from informed me about it and said it has been running like that since he has owned it, guy before him got the carbs rebuilt (end of 2015 receipt of work) so I assumed that the mechanics didn't put enough time in to tuning the air fuel. A mate that has been helping me is trying to convince me to sell it as he believes it's just a money pit but I am not convinced yet.
Might pay to check the fuel level in each fuel bowl? Put a bit of clear hose on the barb on the bottom of the fuel bowl, run the hose up higher than the top of the carby and open the fuel bowl drain screw. Fuel will flow into the hose and stop at the same level it is inside the fuel bowl This picture is showing how to check the fuel level in a BDST Mikuni, off an FZR1000 just as a referance You'll need to get the fuel level spec's from a Suzuki Bandit service manual, eg 10.5mm - 11.5mm above centre line of fuel bowl
Rule number one: To fix a motorcycle find out what the previous owners have done to it and repair their mistakes. What owners often do to make their bikes slower and wear out faster. I am talking about 4 strokes here. Two stroke owners are generally a lot better informed. Fit larger main jets Raise the needles to make it richer change the float level to make it richer drill out main jets because they can't afford the $3 to buy some new ones and then sell the bike to the poor new owner who will never be able to figure out why it runs so rich. No one ever tries smaller mains because they think their bike will blow up. Wind pilot mixture screws out as far as they can because "more is better" Fit pod filters Drill holes in airboxes and airbox lids or just throw the airbox/lid away They then tell everyone that their bike runs great, so others follow their lead and the cycle of destruction continues.
It's been a while but update time! I had decided to sell the Bandit due to lack of time to find what the problem is, started at 1000 and got down to being offered 500 that I accepted but guy walked away so now i have decided to put it in my to do pile and try and find the time to fix and get it running right and rethink what I am going to do with it. The better half wants me to sell it because we are moving to Tassi in a couple of months but I am not so sure. Anyway back to the shed and the spanners I go.
