Clutch\electrics

Hello just inherited a 1984 VF1000r 12000miles not been started for 30 years… had the carbs and tank all refurbed and the usual service… turns over good but don’t start :sob: what I have noticed is I have to pull the clutch in for any of the electrics to work like is this normal? I’m confused any advise would be greatly appreciated… very new to all this :joy: regards Sean

Welcome to the Forum.
Do the lights,horn neutral light and oil light operate with the ignition on but the clutch lever out?
If nothing works apart from the oil and neutral light I would check the earth point for the wiring harness.Its located under the seat as below


Clean and reattach.
If that sorts the first problem check that the carbs have fuel.
Disconnect the fuel pump relay,you will find it near the regulator/rectifier mounted on the left of the bike

Put a jump wire across the black and white wires and turn the ignition on,you should hear the fuel pump running until the carbs are full.
Replace the relay and try for a start,full choke no throttle works best.
Let us know how you get on.
Best regards Bif

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Hi reconnected the earth wire and everything ok… removed fuel pump relay and put a jump wire from white to black turned key and there was a noise from the pump for 1 second then it went off… has not happened again… is there a fuse for the pump… maybe a new fuel pump is needed… might be eBay time… thanks Sean

That’s fine,it means that the carbs are full.Does it start now?
If not pull a plug from a rear cylinder(the fronts are too problematic)and see if 1 it sparks when earthed to the head 2 if it is wet with fuel
Progress is progress
Regards Bif

Good morning, right then, pulled the fuel hose off near to the carb and jumped the fuel pump and loads of fuel came out… replaced hose and turned over on full choke… did not start… plugs have good spark, but no wet plugs on 2x plugs… :pensive:carbs have been fully refurbished… just looks like fuel not getting in… Regards Sean.

Try undoing the drain screw on the bottom of the float bowls just to double check if any fuel is getting that far

Does it fire with a sniff of easy start…or a spray bottle with fuel down the velocity stacks…??

Smithy.

Hi… no haven’t tried that yet… will pick a can up today, the bloke who reburbed the carbs mentioned that :+1:t2:

If there is fuel in the carbs,check where the throttle plates are set.
Lift one of the slides and check the gap at the bottom of the plate.
If the gap is too large it will drop the vacuum in the carb and stop it drawing fuel into the Venturi.
Back the tickover screw off to reduce the gap

Drain screw and tickover screw

Hi is this the gap… there is no fuel in the carb, I took the drain screw out at the bottom of the fuel chamber and no fuel came out… I need to check to small fuel hose going into the carbs tonight. ,


Hi is this the gap…

Another pic :joy:

Forth pic shows the throttle flap and I would say it’s fairly close and not your problem,no fuel in the carbs is definitely the next thing to sort.
If you blow into the fuel pipe you should get air coming through the two tubes that sit between the velocity stacks.If not the fuel line is blocked somewhere

Hello took carbs off today, checked each float chamber all seems ok… put all back together ( pain in the arse :joy:) Still not starting :weary:. Checked each of the drain screws on the bottom of the float bowls 3 out of the 4 fuel came out , 1 no fuel came out, blasted some air in the holes still no fuel… suppose they have to come off again tomorrow :weary:

There is only one fuel supply into these carbs so something isn’t right if the fuel isn’t reaching one of them.
Which one is dry?
Take the float chamber off that one,pull the pin out on the float and undo the valve seat,there is a filter on the back side of it.
This may well be blocked.
Let us know what you find
Regards Bif

Morning… remove float bowls and removed and blown out all valves and jets and checked them small filters… good air to all float chambers from fuel inlet pipe… all back together gonna fit to bike in a bit… the float chamber was the top left in the picture. Update you shortly. Regards Sean




OMG 30 years of not running… 2 months of pain, crying and to much money and with much appreciated help of a guy i don’t even know called Bif it came to life, tick over is good, sounds bloody great … thanks again bif top man :+1:t2::beers:

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