Won't accelerate

130amy · August 27th, 2016, 01:05 PM

Hey guys,
My bike is having some issues. So I haven't rode it in a year, had my ex work on it and finally got it running(meaning the bike would turn over and stay at 1 rpm). However now, it's fine starting half of the time but when riding it it won't go past 4k rpm. There's no speed. So there's something going on with the acceleration. I'm really not all that tech savy but any ideas what the issue could be?
-Thanks!

Dave Wolfe · August 27th, 2016, 01:22 PM

If its year old gas - drain the tank (and float bowls if you feel adventurous) and put in fresh gallon of gas. Dont bother filling it up until u get it running well 'cause u may need to pull the tank off soon.

shift957 · August 27th, 2016, 01:56 PM

I would drain the old gas and start it up until it uses the rest of the old gas. Then, spray aerosol carb cleaner into the tank (at least half the can) and start it up again. Rev the engine to induce the carb cleaner into different jets. Let it set over night. Add a gallon of fresh gas and see how it does. I've had to do this a few times myself.

Lap202 · August 27th, 2016, 04:38 PM

It sounds like you may have some carb work heading your way. Similar problem with my snowmobile. It would idle, but when under throttle the carbs choked out and it would die. Some people may 100% disagree with me, but I'd honestly poor a ton of sea foam down it (don't bother adding extra gas. Run it till you feel the carbs are filled and let it sit over night.

Then try again and see if it will allow higher RPMs. If it does help your carbs are dirty and should be cleaned and if it doesn't help your carbs are dirty and should be cleaned XD

InvisiBill · August 28th, 2016, 06:30 AM

Bad gas and/or gummed up carbs are the most likely culprits.

Note that carbs are precision devices with a lot of small parts and passages. It's very easy for a DIYer to not get them fully clean, even after multiple attempts. Check out ducatiman's Custom Carb Service if you don't mind paying a few bucks to have it done properly the first time.

Lazarus · August 28th, 2016, 09:32 AM

^^ this. My buddy couldn't figure out why after he "cleaned" his carbs his bike still had the same problem. Compressed air, a cleaning solution, and the right hand tools are the minimum needed to do it right.

I personally have never used ducatiman's services but I have seen pictures and read reviews, he is very good at what he does.

ducatiman · August 28th, 2016, 10:47 AM

Humbled, compelled to thank you both for comments.

Modern equipment, some service and restoration efforts, coupled with all consumable parts being replaced, basically "resets the clock" on your carbs.

I concur with Mr Wolfe...Op's first move is to purge/replace fuel before condemning the carbs.

August 27th, 2016, 01:05 PM	#1
130amy ninjette.org newbie Name: Amy Location: Portland, OR Join Date: Aug 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 5	Won't accelerate Hey guys, My bike is having some issues. So I haven't rode it in a year, had my ex work on it and finally got it running(meaning the bike would turn over and stay at 1 rpm). However now, it's fine starting half of the time but when riding it it won't go past 4k rpm. There's no speed. So there's something going on with the acceleration. I'm really not all that tech savy but any ideas what the issue could be? -Thanks!

August 28th, 2016, 06:30 AM	#5
InvisiBill EX500 full of EX250 parts Name: Bill Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Aug '15	Bad gas and/or gummed up carbs are the most likely culprits. Note that carbs are precision devices with a lot of small parts and passages. It's very easy for a DIYer to not get them fully clean, even after multiple attempts. Check out ducatiman's Custom Carb Service if you don't mind paying a few bucks to have it done properly the first time. __________________________________________________ * Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *

August 28th, 2016, 10:47 AM	#7
ducatiman ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Gordon Location: new york Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): '95 DUCATI 900SS/SP '07 DUCATI SS800 '19 HONDA CBR650R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '18, Mar '17	Humbled, compelled to thank you both for comments. Modern equipment, some service and restoration efforts, coupled with all consumable parts being replaced, basically "resets the clock" on your carbs. I concur with Mr Wolfe...Op's first move is to purge/replace fuel before condemning the carbs. __________________________________________________ gordon@customcarbservices.com Custom Carb Service www.customcarbservices.com

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August 27th, 2016, 01:22 PM	#2
Dave Wolfe CCS Amateur #501 Name: Dave Location: Iowa Join Date: Jun 2015 Motorcycle(s): '09 250 SE 'Booger' Posts: 406	If its year old gas - drain the tank (and float bowls if you feel adventurous) and put in fresh gallon of gas. Dont bother filling it up until u get it running well 'cause u may need to pull the tank off soon.

August 27th, 2016, 01:56 PM	#3
shift957 ninjette.org member Name: Nate Location: Central North Carolina Join Date: Aug 2016 Motorcycle(s): R6, SV 650, 300, 250, 250 xc-w Posts: 73	I would drain the old gas and start it up until it uses the rest of the old gas. Then, spray aerosol carb cleaner into the tank (at least half the can) and start it up again. Rev the engine to induce the carb cleaner into different jets. Let it set over night. Add a gallon of fresh gas and see how it does. I've had to do this a few times myself.

August 27th, 2016, 04:38 PM	#4
Lap202 The Mechanical Noob Name: Andrew Location: Brookings, South Dakota Join Date: Aug 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 66	It sounds like you may have some carb work heading your way. Similar problem with my snowmobile. It would idle, but when under throttle the carbs choked out and it would die. Some people may 100% disagree with me, but I'd honestly poor a ton of sea foam down it (don't bother adding extra gas. Run it till you feel the carbs are filled and let it sit over night. Then try again and see if it will allow higher RPMs. If it does help your carbs are dirty and should be cleaned and if it doesn't help your carbs are dirty and should be cleaned XD

August 28th, 2016, 09:32 AM	#6
Lazarus ninjette.org member Name: RJ Location: PA Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 210	^^ this. My buddy couldn't figure out why after he "cleaned" his carbs his bike still had the same problem. Compressed air, a cleaning solution, and the right hand tools are the minimum needed to do it right. I personally have never used ducatiman's services but I have seen pictures and read reviews, he is very good at what he does.