Ok, give me a hand here... it starts and runs, tuning advice?

ridesolo

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I maintain that I am not a mechanic. I can twist a wrench, turn a screwdriver, take things apart, and put ‘em back together. However short of changing oil and filter and other basic tasks I really don’t consider myself to be a mechanic. (I've been wrenching on this thing for YEARS off and on and I'm tired of working on it, I just want to RIDE it!)

The CL360/378 is back together and will run but not very well. I just took off the clamps and made sure the carbs were completely seated into the (new) intakes and put the clamps back on. The other day before doing that that would start and run, though badly, now it won’t start at all except w/ a small squirt of starting fluid.

I remember hearing that these don’t work well with inline fuel filters. I don’t have inline filters but I did have to change out the petcock from the stock w/ two outlets to one w/ a single. The fuel line goes out of the petcock to a T and then from there to the carbs, nothing pinched or restricted. There is fuel in the lines. Could the problem be that running a single line like that to a T isn’t providing enough fuel to the carbs?

Where else do I go w/ this? The carbs are CrazyPJ builds that have been sitting in a box since his work. I hope I’m correct in assuming that they should be ready to go without much more than a little tweaking.

Suggestions? Advice?
 
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The line running to a T wouldn't prevent it from starting since even if it does reduce the flow compared to the dual line the carb should have the correct amount of fuel when you try to start it. Any reduced flow would only become evident when actually running. When you have trouble starting it, pull the plugs and see if they are wet.

Have you double check the spark as well as the timing?
 
Are you getting fuel to the float bowls? That's a good place to start looking. If flow is weak or nonexistant, check the fuel tap (petcock) filter and the fuel tap itself. Could be a leaf or flake of paint in the tank.
 
I'm not a good troubleshooter...I would open up my float bowl drain and see if it has a steady flow to confirm fuel is traveling to to carb and float is working correctly.
 
OK, can check those. Spark is fine, runs on a squirt of starter spray.
 
I would start by pulling the line from the carbs and let the fuel drain into a container to check flow. Do it with the cap on and off to make sure the vented cap is not clogged. Check the petcock in the 'on" position and "reserve". If it proves flow disconnected from the carbs, then you likely have stuck floats. Beings the carbs were stored away for a long period of time increases the likelihood of oxidation. Take a Qtip and Simichrome or similar polish and polish your float needle jet and seats in the carb bodies. See if you're fixed now. Also, an inline filter should make no difference for these carbs as for any other gravity fed carbs. The float needle design is no different.
 
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+1 to what Irk said. the white crusty oxidation can make the needles stick closed pretty easy.
 
Hmmm. I guess this laying in there like that instead of being screwed into place isn’t good, huh?

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Ok. Got that jet back in place. Everything is checked out inside; nothing loose, clogged, or broken. The floats both move freely and it is nice and clean in there, no dirt, grit, oxidation, or nasty deposits. Cleaner than my dinner plate after a good meal.

Got the carbs back on, good flow from the petcock. Good spark. Fires w/ a squirt of ether. Still doesn’t even try to start. I’ll keep messing. Open to more suggestions.

Oh yeah, and just a gripe, but the CL pipes may look cool but sure are a PITA to work around.
 
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Fuel will dribble out of the left side float bowl. Nothing out of the right side.
 
So your floats or needles and seats are not right. I'd pull the bowls and floats and needles then turn on fuel with a container to catch gas and see how much flows out. That will tell you if there is crud somplace between inlet and outlet. If flow is good then its adjusting the floats etc.
 
Messy....but... I've benched tested floats by running fuel through and manually seating and unseating the needle.
 
Ok, thanx. Oh boy, really looking forward to taking these carbs back off. Most of the job ain’t bad, but the damn throttle cable is no fun. ...here we go again; take two.
 
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Givin up for the day... it fired a couple times but now got gas coming out the left carb bowl overflow.

I’d rather be riding!
 
Gas coming out of your overflow is another clear sign you have float issues. Did you polish the seats and jet? Carbs that sit a while, empty of fuel or not doesn't matter, almost always give you float trouble. Guaranteed. You should be polishing them anyway.
 
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