Virago 125 running issues..UPDATE: FIXED

[Asharin]

Edit - All fixed now!

Hi,

My Virago 125 is currently not running right, so I thought I'd ask for some advice as I am about as mechanically minded as a fish

It's extremely hard to start, even with the choke. When it runs it will often stall when idling. Once out riding sometimes it will be fine, and run perfectly, other times it loses power and bogs down..then it'll regain power for a few secs, then bog down again.

Was quite embarrassing being stuck at 35mph on the A35 yesterday...

It started doing this after being unused for a week when we were away on holiday. At first I thought it might be the battery, so I took it out, recharged it to be sure, stuck it back in...no change.

I also thought it might be the choke jamming open as sometimes fiddling with the choke made it work alright (I only have half a choke cable mind you) but as it was running fine yesterday and now it's not and I haven't touched the choke I guess not :/

So BCF Workshop, I ask for your help, in complete idiot terms because really I have no idea...I did consider that maybe the carb needs a clean but as I have no idea how to even start taking a carb apart I need help


--edit: Also it's using much more fuel than normal. I'd guess half again as much as it normally does.

[zombie_dave]

have you looked at the air filter? Could be blocked if its not been changed in a while
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ZombiE_DavE

[Asharin]

Air filter is fine, didn't mention that sorry. I checked and cleaned it out as part of the process of elimination so far
One of the few jobs I can actually do lol.

[Asharin]

Well, new choke cable arrived, so this was installed as well as unjamming the plunger. While this improved things the bike was still running badly.

Then I had a brainwave, it'd been running rich for a while obviously with the faulty choke so the plugs might be fouled.

Whipped the plugs out and sure enough they were black as the ace of spades! Nipped down to the shops and got a new set (and a spare set just in case!) stuck them in and job done.
Bike is now running great again.

Not bad considering I am as mechanically minded as a fish, though I would probably need help if it was anything else lol..still, learn by doing!

[Nexus Icon]

At the risk of sounding patronising; well done, asharin.

I must've missed this thread and, considering the lack of replies, so did everyone else!
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Asharin]

It's cool, if I hadn't managed to figure it out I'd have bumped it a few times probably..or just taken the bike to a mechanic in frustration

I might try and save up some cash and buy a project bike to work on for practice, at least then I can learn some mechanical stuff without messing with my main form of transport haha.

[fatjames]