Hi everyone, just picked up a used 1987 honda shadow, not a new one .
The previous owner lost the key, so i cant even turn it on. He said that he was riding and it died on him, and he had just installed a new batt. So it might be a charging issue. But either way, he lost the key when i bought it from him. So..
I started stripping everything off and was hoping to bypass the key ignition to test to see if there is any life to the bike.
Removed the carbs to clean, but they were very clean. Im guessing the previous owner cleaned them and the bike just sat for a while. But at least i was pleasantly surprised
After a good day of messing around, installing the ignition, getting a new key made the bike lit up. Well the lights anyway. It cranks, but does not fire up and run. I am thinking my fuel pump might be out
If that hose is about 3/8 (10MM) size it is probably for the carb bowl vent and just goes down behind the engine in case the bowls overflow.
The fuel pump will not run continuously, only when the bowls get lower. ON-DEMAND type pump. Loosen the drain screw on each carb to see if there is fuel inside.
If the kill switch is off or the contacts are dirty, the starer will crank but there is no power to the ignition.
I tried to see if the pump work by connecting it directly, it doesnt seem to do anything just an initial click. So i wonder if the pump is out. Also i am getting sparks in the coils
that's pretty much the normal. It's not like your fuel injected vehicle where the pump buzzes for a second or two when you turn the key. If you test like above and you have fuel then I'd look elsewhere for your problem. As an "oh, by the way, your bike requires your battery to be darn near fresh and full to actually make the bike fire up. It's aggravating as heck, the bike will turn over all day, just won't start.
Did you test it while it was connected to fuel lines with fuel? If so then that initial click is fine and it wont continue to click unless the bowls are empty disconnect the feed fuel line to the carbs and have it end into a cup and then test the pump and see if it will continuously click and pump fuel without stopping
It lives! I clearned the carbs again. THey were really clean, but i re did it, this time i sprayed air into the carbs hoping something was in there. Then i ordered a new fuel pump, a chinese unit, but had a change of heart when i heard i could get a mr. gasket at advanced auto parts. Went there and nothing except a Holly fuel pump, i bought it for 50$. Installed it, and the bike roared to life.
I also had changed the oil, and the vacum hose that was disconnected i reconnected it, not sure which of those did it. But i think it was the fuel pump.
Not out of the water just yet, lots of work to do. But im really happy this bike is running.
the bike fires, yesterday it was running great. But now after bolting everything together it was running oddly as if it was not etting gas. Seems like a air issue. Removed the tank and the top plastic airbox and it seemed to run better. When i put the air box cover and tank runs like it wants to die
Sounds like a restriction in the intake area. Is there a rag sucked in to the intake opening under the seat or clogged air filter? Check the whole tubing and air box.
It may be too rich to begin with and with less air flow it affects the running. - ???
Here is a question for everyone. The pump works when i put power to it. But when its hooked up i dont hear anything, and when i loop the wire to have it continuously run, it doesnt run when the key is on.
when i jump this connector to get the pump to work continiously with the key turned on it does not do anything to the pump. Could the connector be faulty?
hooked up a gravity fed gas can to the carbs, and the bike runs perfect.
But when i hook up the pump no gas is being pushed up to the carbs. looping the 2 wires in the connector doest make the pump work, so im not sure what is going on. Any ideas?
I have a 1986 VT700C. The fuel pump has 4 wires leaving its casing as follows; green= grnd, Black= 12 volt when key on, blue=pulse wire, and black with yellow= nothing, not used. Original pump is dead, not repairable and replacement pump unavailable / discontinued. Solution.... buy aftermarket...
The 3 wire relay is for safety, in case the bikes fall and engine quits, and the key is on, the fuel pump won't keep pumping fuel and cause a fire.
The blue wire to the relay comes from one coil to signal the relay to turn on the pump when the engine runs.
An electronic transistor relay not your typical coil and contacts type.
Been reading quite a bit about this, seems like a common issue. Still confused about bypassing the relay, was hoping to have a bunch of pictures to follow. Found this diagram on the website. And going to try and follow that for bypassing the relay. Thanks everyone, you guys really know this bike.
i hooked up the positive from the fuel pump to the middle relay wire, and then fuel pump negative to ground. when i start the bike it starts right up. But i cant find that yellow blue wire, because the fuel pump keeps pumping and pumping and fuel seems to be coming off the hoses on the top.
i also fixed the front master cylinder with a coin but alas, i have front brake problems. The right caliper i cant get the fluid to go down. I wonder if there is de\bris in the hose because it was left sitting for a while without that sight glass
amazing Job, coin works great but lost visibility, so you will in trouble when leaking, I´ll recommend to use a glass using coin for pattern and then add sealing to avoid any issues., good luck with you honda
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