My shadow wont run - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

jdsteele3 · 03-14-2011, 10:50 PM

My 1985 Honda Shadow will start and idle with the choke on, but if I try to turn choke off or give it gas it dies. What is making this happen? Thanks for the help.

85VT1100c86 · 03-14-2011, 10:54 PM

What is the engine size?
Could be a dirty fuel filter!

tubes_rock · 03-15-2011, 07:29 AM

How long do you let it warm up before attempting to give it throttle or turn the choke off?

My Shadow is running top-notch, but you need to give it a solid minute before giving it throttle. After that, I can back the choke to 1/2 and start riding, turning the choke off completely after a few miles.

--Justin

nraluke · 03-15-2011, 09:36 AM

Did this problem just start on a bike you have had for some time and rode?

jdsteele3 · 03-15-2011, 10:25 AM

The bike is a 1985 700 VT I let the bike idle for about thirty minutes but everytime I would try to back the choke off it wouls die and same thing if I give it gas.

zimdogg · 03-15-2011, 10:54 AM

Is your idle screw turned up enough to let it idle?

There's 3 parts to the equation of any motor running: Fuel, Air, Spark.

Main things to look at for each that are easy things to check are the following:

Fuel - fuel filter, fuel lines, be sure the petcock is turned to on, make sure it has gas in it... after these you'll start having to check carb problems like clogged jets and things of that nature. Start with the easy stuff first.

Air - check the filter, and make sure all tubing from filter into the carbs is sealed up tight.

Spark - Plugs, wires, coils

Your problem sounds like a gas problem to me from what you've mentioned.

jdsteele3 · 03-15-2011, 10:57 AM

When it idles it is idling at 1000 rpm's and i think that is low but when i turn the idle screw it dosent effect it

DixieGranite · 03-15-2011, 12:02 PM

Zimdogg has it right. Start simple and eliminate things as you go. The time spent troubleshooting will save from stabbing in the dark later.

markspike · 03-15-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimdogg

Is your idle screw turned up enough to let it idle?

There's 3 parts to the equation of any motor running: Fuel, Air, Spark.

Main things to look at for each that are easy things to check are the following:

Fuel - fuel filter, fuel lines, be sure the petcock is turned to on, make sure it has gas in it... after these you'll start having to check carb problems like clogged jets and things of that nature. Start with the easy stuff first.

Air - check the filter, and make sure all tubing from filter into the carbs is sealed up tight.

Spark - Plugs, wires, coils

Your problem sounds like a gas problem to me from what you've mentioned.

+1 and...

Bingo! Might be bad gas, could be a clogged petcock, could be the carbs need cleaned, could be clogged carb jets...

K.I.S.S.

jdsteele3 · 03-15-2011, 01:43 PM

thanks guys

03-14-2011, 10:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdsteele3 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 7	My shadow wont run My 1985 Honda Shadow will start and idle with the choke on, but if I try to turn choke off or give it gas it dies. What is making this happen? Thanks for the help.

03-14-2011, 10:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
85VT1100c86 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sarsfield On Canada Posts: 1,074	What is the engine size? Could be a dirty fuel filter! __________________ My '85 Vt1100 and Tease has '09 CBF1000

03-15-2011, 07:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
tubes_rock Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern NH Posts: 5,341	How long do you let it warm up before attempting to give it throttle or turn the choke off? My Shadow is running top-notch, but you need to give it a solid minute before giving it throttle. After that, I can back the choke to 1/2 and start riding, turning the choke off completely after a few miles. --Justin __________________ 2010 Honda NT700V 1986 Shadow 700 1986 Honda Trail 110 (Postie Bike)

03-15-2011, 09:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
nraluke Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 351	Did this problem just start on a bike you have had for some time and rode? __________________ I have done so much for so long with so little that now I can do anything with nothing! 2008 Honda Shadow Aero 750

03-15-2011, 10:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
zimdogg Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 54	Is your idle screw turned up enough to let it idle? There's 3 parts to the equation of any motor running: Fuel, Air, Spark. Main things to look at for each that are easy things to check are the following: Fuel - fuel filter, fuel lines, be sure the petcock is turned to on, make sure it has gas in it... after these you'll start having to check carb problems like clogged jets and things of that nature. Start with the easy stuff first. Air - check the filter, and make sure all tubing from filter into the carbs is sealed up tight. Spark - Plugs, wires, coils Your problem sounds like a gas problem to me from what you've mentioned. Last edited by zimdogg; 03-15-2011 at 11:01 AM.

03-15-2011, 10:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
jdsteele3 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 7	The bike is a 1985 700 VT I let the bike idle for about thirty minutes but everytime I would try to back the choke off it wouls die and same thing if I give it gas.

03-15-2011, 10:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
jdsteele3 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 7	When it idles it is idling at 1000 rpm's and i think that is low but when i turn the idle screw it dosent effect it

03-15-2011, 12:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
DixieGranite Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 339	Zimdogg has it right. Start simple and eliminate things as you go. The time spent troubleshooting will save from stabbing in the dark later. __________________ Ride like you would with Forrest 2003 Shadow ACE 750 The Black Pearl. Chopped exhaust Forward Controls Cobra sissy bar and luggage rack T-bags roll bag River Road tool bag Relocated signals Blackout work Ride bell from George Loose nut behind the handlebars

03-15-2011, 01:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
jdsteele3 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 7	thanks guys

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