swampdonkey

Thanks for all the suggestions, it's appreciated. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'll try some of these suggestions and see. Hoping it's nothing more serious.

I did put in some sea foam but no go. Odd that at the last ride it ran fine.

I've had this '97 Bird for over 12 years and it's been largely bulletproof. Recently an issue arose that I'd like your thoughts on. When starting the bike after it has sat for a while it takes a bit for all the cylinders to fire which is normal and after 10-15 seconds all's well. This last time I started the bike it didn't smooth out but sounds like one fo the cylinders isn't firing. The revs are not smooth and you can easily hear that somethings off. I took it a short distance up the road to see if it would clear but no go so it's back in the garage for now. Appreciate any ideas!

Thanks for the responses. I've been offline building a new computer hence I've not responded sooner. (Was sent the wrong motherboard) Not sure I could roll w/ a size 14 boot, JB4XX. Tough to say though since boots do vary. Most of my shoes are 13's. Toxxic, are you still in the Tacoma area? We're not too far from each other. Not sure a size 12 would work either but who knows. I wonder how those M2R boots are in terms of quality. $42 seems quite low for a new pair of boots!

Looking for a used pair of riding boots sized 13. Some unknown a**hole recently decided he/she needed my gear more than I did.... With the wife laid off -thanks recession- the purchase of a jacket and helmet was about all i felt OK w/ spending on new. Shoot me a PM. Cheers!

Would the carbs deteriorate that quickly, i.e. from running fine to not starting in a matter of 10 minutes of run time? Also, what is the r/r, a fuel regulator?? Plugs are pretty new, put in late last summer Thanks for the suggestions. I'll spend some time w/ it this coming weekend.

Update Drained fuel, added SeaFoam and new fuel, then started bike. Soon after firing up it began to hesitate while idling and when giving some throttle. Degraded to the point where it cut out and now she'll not start. Turns over and sound like it wants to but no go.

I'll empty the tank, put some fresh fuel in and try the SeaFoam. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks...

Hi all...took the bike out yesterday following approx 3 months of rest. Ran fine into work which is about 20 or so miles. On the way home, about 2 miles from home, it began to hesitate at the lower rpm's. It did not stall but would really hesitate unless I kept the rpm's up there. Upon pulling into the driveway and let it idle for a bit, just to see if it would. I also caught the smell of fuel but nothing dripped onto the concrete. Comments appreciated. Btw, this is a '97 w/ around 21k on it. Thanks!

In order to put closure on this thread and for the sake of posterity, here was the outcome. Brief history: I was riding the XX when instantly a loud tapping began. The bike was brought to local shop (MaxRPM in Bremerton, WA) and their diagnosis was a kinked cam chain due to a faulty CCT. No work was performed due to that I felt the quote was too high. I then began this thread for suggestions and it was largely universal that the CCT was likely the culprit. Through bribery and promises of women, I was able to lure some list members, including Chris (CAPPEL)", and Noreen (Kuulei) & Vern (haWHYnXX), to the home of TOXXIC (Tim) who has a nice-n-toasty garage. What I believe is called the pulser cover was initially removed. There was no tension at all on the CCT. The cam chain was inspected for any damage and it looked fine. The new CCT (from John) was installed. It was decided that we'd button the bike back up, turn her over and see what happens. The moment of truth arrives and...and...and a dead battery put things off until we could liberate one from Tim's XX. The bike had not been started in over 6 months but she came to life quickly and, more importantly, quietly. I've since charged the battery but am waiting to take the bike out to ensure all is well until the rain passes. In order to retain at least a thread of hope in mankind, I’ve forced myself to believe that the shop just honestly made a mistake and was not purposely fleecing me. Tim made a poignant comment about this when he said that the shop likely has little experience w/ the Blackbird and could have unknowingly thought the cam chain had in fact went out whereas on the Blackbird site you have hundreds of people w/ intimate knowledge of this machine. Lastly, thanks to all who provided input and especially to Tim, Chris, Vern and Noreen for offering up part of their weekend. You guys are awesome! -Scott-

Many of you commented that it would be highly unlikely for the cam chain to break so I looked a bit closer at all the paper work obtained from when the bike was checked out. I figured I'd include additional info just as an FYI on this thread. The shop noted the following: Found cam chain to have tight/loose spots from tensioner failure. Recommend replacement of cam chain, CCT and both cam chain guards. Thanks for all the comments and PM's. I haven't decided which way to proceed, i.e. attempt myself or find a local shop. -Scott-

It seems like this will end up being one of those hard, and expensive lessons. You all provided useful info but I'm sort of caught in a position where I can't exercise your suggestions. My lack of mechanical experience created this situation which I now find myself. As mentioned, I brought my bike in several months back to a local shop who went in and came back saying the chain was kinked and it took out the CCT. I could not part w/ the money so I had them button the bike up but I was told to definitely NOT start it since it was not as it was prior to them going in. What this means I don't know and at the time I didn't think to ask. Lesson learned. W/ that warning in mind, I don't feel comfortable trying a CCT since I have no clue what else should be replaced as a result of the initial recon into the engine. It would be nice to find a shop/mechanic that you just know you can trust. Maybe I'll just break it down w/ the help of a manual and see what happens, or I'll pay the money, or.... I sure do miss my bike!

No, it did not die, I shut it down. Started once after that to let someone hear the sound. I'm no expert but I highly doubt the bike would run without the cam chain. :icon_wall: If I recall correctly I was told there was a kink in the chain....

No, it did not die, I shut it down. Started once after that to let someone hear the sound.