Thread: Bike stopped running

I was riding my bike today, after I just replaced the air filter with a K&N style filter instead of the box type along with adding a new twin fire spark plug. I noticed the bike seemed to be running ruff at times. First it was hard to start, which I found to be a clogged fuel filter. After fixing them, everything was great for a little bit. Then the bike seemed to be starved for gas. It would only run at full choke and if I had the throttle wide open, but it was only idling at that throttle level. If I let the bike shut off, when I tried starting it back up I would get back fires from the exhaust and carburetor. This led me to believe the ignition timing was off, so I began adjusting the points. After making sure they were gaped correctly, and even playing with them trying to advance the timing and back off the timing, nothing fixed it.

I had installed the huge race cam about two years ago. I know I shouldnt have put such a large cam in the stock head, so I went ahead and took the cam out to inspect since both the ignition and valve timing were right. After looking at the cam, atleast 1mm or more of both lobes was worn away and the edge of the lobe was mushroomed. I don't know how this could have happened because I probably dont have 50 hours on the bike since I put it in. I went ahead and put the stock cam back in for now and the bike starts fine. It will run for a little bit and then shut off. I have diagnosed my issue now to the carburetor. Ever since the Honda shop put this carb on about ten years ago, I have had nothing but problems with it. I ordered a 19 mm carb last week off eBay. Hopefully this will fix my problem.

Does anyone have any ideas what would have caused the cam to wear down so quickly? I have kept clean oil in the bike. I know I did not have the valve adjusting screws gaped right with the large cam because the valves were hitting each other. I ran them a little extra loose to prevent them from opening so far. Could this have caused it? I did not see any signs of damage anywhere else in the head, or any trash that could have done it.

Also, are there any ideas on why the carb acts up the way it does? I pulled it apart today and everything appeared fine. I did notice the main jet was screwed all the way in.

The bearing cam that dratv sells is a piece of $hit.the reason why is the cam walked in the head,is the bearing,causing the wear you described.they are cheap for a reason.GARBAGE!!!!!!!It happened to me too!a non bearing cam ''stock style''no matter what cam profile,will not do this.

Originally Posted by P.C.

a non bearing cam ''stock style''no matter what cam profile,will not do this.

Good information to know - Thank You

When you have a head that had a non bearing cam for 30+ years and then put that garbage cam in the bearing will not stay put.if the head was brand new you may of had more of a fighting chance.i like the mini monster cam dratv sells.and have that in the bike now.ZJG have you cleaned out the oil spinner after that hassle?there is about 1mm of your cam in there.about your carb,the pilot jet sounds like its clogged.the pz19 is a good carb in my opinion.when you store the bike the bowl needs to be drained to prevent clogging the jets.

I ordered the pz19 carb. It should be here this week. Yes, I have cleaned out the oil spinner. I found little peices of metal all through out the head too. Nothing else appeared to be damaged.