newbie with a 97 ACE 1100 - problem on highway

[RockyG]

Got a 97 ACE 1100 w/ 35,500 mi. I am new to a bike this big, been riding a virago 535. Here is what i got:

Bike seems cold blooded in the morning (garage kept), applying choke doesn't seem to do much. It sputters and sounds like it will stall. After a few minute warmup seems ok.

Rides around town fine, still learning engine sound, but seems to like up to 45-50 mph in 2nd gear.

Been on the highway twice now, first time had traffic so I could not open it up much, it seemed ok until 5th gear, then it popped (or backfired - not sure of difference) stuttered, briefly, then smoothed out fairly quickly.

Building up my confidence now, (I've put about 125 mi on it), got on the highway tonight, did ok when i throttled conservatively, stayed mostly in 4th. Rode 25mi or so, stopped for coffee. On the way home I felt good, decided to go down the interstate a ways, opened it up a little (not wot) and got into 5th gear going up a long hill, bike started sputtering bad, popped too. Downshifted to 4th but still sputtering, played with throttle to keep it running. I started to pull on to shoulder, got it into 3rd and it revived itself, seemed ok. Decided to head home on a 45mph road, seemed ok no more sputter/pop.

So I've spent the last 2 hours searching the forum and reading post. From what I read it sounds like it could be any number of things wrong. But also I got the feeling that many of the discussions assumed a certain level of knowledge beyond mine.

Should I try Seafoam ? Should I try tinkering with carb (not very confident of my ability there), guess I'm hoping someone can help guide me to simple easy things to try.

Oh yeah, did I mention I love the feel of riding this bike? Should have moved up long ago. Thanks.

[70mercgt]

I'd try changing the plugs, air filter, and fuel filter..sounds like the carbs might need cleaned or adjusted...the filters and plugs are pretty straight forward..but if your not real confident in your abilities, I'd leave the cleaning and adjusting the carbs to the pros because you can get them way outta whack if you don't know what your doing...you can get a Honda service manual which would help a lot...or even a Haynes or clymer manual...good luck

current ride: 86 vt1100c previous rides: 93 vt1100c, 91 vulcan 750, cb400f super sport, kx250, xr500, yz 490, xr100

[70mercgt]

I'd run seafoam through it too...

current ride: 86 vt1100c previous rides: 93 vt1100c, 91 vulcan 750, cb400f super sport, kx250, xr500, yz 490, xr100

[gmck]

kind of sounds loke your running out of gas. Could be plugged filter, pump carbs dirty. Seafoam might help and most likely wont hurt anything. Worth a try.

[RockyG]

thanks for the quick reply's and suggestions. It did feel like it was running out of gas, but only has about 85mi on a fill up. Think I'll try the sea foam, then work on finding air / fuel filters and go from there. Of course I will probably cling to the belief/hope that it just needs to be ridden....winter is almost here.

[knucklebuster69]

You might also want to open the carb drains for a few seconds on each one and see if any junk drains out of the carbs. It may help it run better.

[Dauntae]

It may be a combination of little things working against you, Iridium plugs DO seem to help some for the cold bloodedness of these bikes so since you should change the plugs any way go the little extra and get the NGK iridium plugs. Do run some sea foam in the gas and maybe clear up any light blocking of the jets and one thing to remember is these bikes DO like to be revved a bit but HATE being lugged down too much so if you shift too early they will chug and sputter letting you know it don't like the higher gear for the speed your going. Hope you get it all sorted out and get some riding in. The 1100 is a great all around bike, Not too big for riding through town and big enough to hit the freeway without problem.

Dauntae

[gmck]

by running out of gas I didn't mean in the gas tank. if the gas can't get to the carbs as fast as you burn it the carbs start to go dry. As the level drops it changes the mixture more lean till it can't run. Generally it will bog, sputter and just not do well till you get off the throttle and the carbs fill up again. Causes can be bad fuel lines or kinks in them, clogged fuel filters or the inlet valve on the carbs. Or a bad fuel pump if you have one.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by RockyG

Think I'll try the sea foam, then work on finding air / fuel filters and go from there.

Reverse the order on those but that's where to start after you

Originally Posted by knucklebuster69

You might also want to open the carb drains for a few seconds on each one and see if any junk drains out of the carbs. It may help it run better.

Tearing apart the carbs seems like more than you need right now. You think the bike needs to be ridden more. Why? If it has been sitting a lot then everything above should make a big difference -- especially after 2-3 tanks of gas.

Spark plugs: Do you know when they were last changed? If not, replace them.

Lube the cables, including the choke and speedometer cables.

After you get all of that done AND the bike seems to be running well, look into synching your carbs. Being out of synch could certainly contribute to your woes but get everything else resolved first.

Have you got stock exhaust? Clean fuel tank? Clean fuel? Those things affect recommendations.

What kind of MPG are you getting?

[dgraves49]

My 97 ACE was cold blooded also, better now that I backed the low speed jets out a little.
You may also want to check the tank vent if the filter don't take part of the problem.