85 Honda 350X won't run right.

[14U2NV]

It starts up, idles decent, revs up just fine, but when you put it in gear and take off to ride it will run just fine then spit n sputter and lose power. I have cleaned and rebuilt carb, got clean filtered fuel going to carb. What is causing this ? It's got me scratching my head.

[MojaveRider]

Partially clogged petcock? I had a 4 wheeler with similar symptoms, and the petcock was so full of crap only a trickle of fuel actually made it through.

[350xorbust]

Im no pro, but by what your explaining, it sounds electrical. Movement is killing the current to your plug. Id start off with the simple things like coil conections (along with cond of the cap) and if that doesnt help, check conections to the stator....usually its the simple things. Then Id move into the stator cover, and give it a once over , again checking all wires as best you can.

[Liquid-Darkness]

Yeah it could be a fuel prob, did it run fine before you rebuilt the carb and added an inline fuel filter?? Maybe your mix screw is too lean. Just a 1/4inch turn out maybe clears it up?? Just a thought..

[14U2NV]

It was not running before due to dirty carb and the tank had been freshly painted so that is when I installed new petcock, fuel line, in line filter and cleaned and rebuilt carb. I just bought this 350X and got it to start and idle decently, it revs up and sounds good but when I put it in gear and try to ride it loses power, spits and sputters, and will quit running.

[barnett468]

.
Howdy!




How long before it spits and sputters?

how soon after the prob occurs will it start and run right again?

what color is your plug?

lite tan

dark tan

dry black

moist gooey black


blow thru the vent hose on your cap to make sure it is not plugged.

maybe try a new spark plug.

maybe try cutting 1/4" off the plug wire that goes into the plug cap.

maybe try a new cheap $10.00 chinese ebay ign coil or one off another bike.

lay the plug on the cyl head and kick it over. yellow spark is weak, pale blue is xlnt.


factory manual

http://www.atcmanuals.info/

[wonderboy]

My vote is fuel delivery. Pull the hose off of the carb (leave connected to the petcock) and let it run into a container. Make sure you get a nice steady flow.

[14U2NV]

Also the inside part of muffler is missing, does this have any effect on how it runs ?

[Liquid-Darkness]

So what kinda fuel do you have in it? Fresh regular 87 or what? You never know, I did this before and found out I had a 12:1 and it was overheating and running like caca. You might have a higher compression piston in there.

[14U2NV]

I am running 91 octane premium gas.

[Liquid-Darkness]

Empy the fuel, save it and try a gallon of 110 race gas. You never know.

[barnett468]

Also the inside part of muffler is missing, does this have any effect on how it runs ?

It might make it run slightly leaner but will not cause your prob.

You still have not answered any questions so it's not possible to give you informed suggestions.

[14U2NV]

I will be able to answer questions this weekend when I get time to get back into shop and tinker with 3 wheeler. Thanks for all your help.