Hello riders,

Let's start off with saying that I have NO IDEA about motorcycle maintenance or the mechanics of a motorcycle...

I noticed my motorcycle makes a popping sound every once in a while (I would say every 10 seconds approx.) The sound comes out of here:

(I can't post the pic because I'm a new user, just copy&paste the address below)


photobucket.com/albums/i300/darkaliche/P1010036-1.jpg


It used to happen when I just started it first thing in the morning... now is most of the time... and when I stop at a light it dies right there...

Another thing I noticed is when I have it in Neutral; if I put it on the stand, it dies, but if I keep it straight up, it just idles there longer, then dies...

It was previously suggested that it was bad gas... drained it, put new Premium on it and it didn't work...

The bike has not been dropped or been in an accident.

As you more mechanically inclined people probably know this bike has an automatic choke, so I can't adujst it.

It was also suggested that it could be the ignition timing. I checked my owner's manual and nowhere does it say how to check it or fix it. Maybe someone here can point me in the right direction.

Chances are you have one of two problems. An air leak at the coupler from the carb to the manifold, or a plugged pilot jet making it lean. My vote is for a torn or split coupler between the manifold and the carb. If you're not mechanically inclined, I would take it to a shop and have them check it out, it's not an expensive fix. About 1/2 hr and a $10 part I think.

http://www.chrishajer.com/bike/XLF/27443-00Y.png

I don't think it's related to the automatic enrichener or the ignition at all. I would start by checking for an intake air leak right here.

The airbox you pointed to in your drawing would be to the left of this image, outside the mouth of the carb. That would come off first to get to all this.

--Chris