2004 yamaha xvs 125cc stalls and lacks revs - advice please.

[mellowmoose]

Hiya

I'm totally new to motorbikes and have recently bought a 2004 yamaha xvs dragstar 125cc, only 3,000 miles. I bought it secondhand and i dont think its been serviced.

The motorbike struggled starting in the last month, the revs just weren't there intially and would stall. Once it got going it was fine.

Now it starts but stalls if i stop revving, also there's zero power. Even in first gear it barely moves, i havent been able to use the bike. There has also been a smell of petrol.

Any ideas what it could be and how I can fix it myself, alternativly any mechanics/garages people can recomend in North London.

I've searched hard for a manual with no luck and also googled with no luck.

Thanks very much

mellowmoose

[rickyfazer]

Has the bike been stood a while? The symptoms you describe and the fact that you can smell petrol make me think that your idle/slow running jets are bunged up.
Petrol left in the carbs go's stale and can gum up the tiny holes in the jets.
Get the carbs off and give them a good clean with an aerosol carb cleaner and use a nylon bristle (say from an old toothbrush) to poke through all the little holes.DO NOT USE WIRE!
Having said all that, try a new sparkplug first,you might just get lucky.
Let us know how you get on.
____________________
never wipe yer arse wi a broken bottle !

[Paddy Blake]

Are you sure you dont have the chock on all the time.Or it might be stuck
on at the carb end.

[mellowmoose]

[mellowmoose]

Im struggling to get to the carb, i think i need to take the fuel tank off but cant seem to find any info on how best to do that, or indeed if thats what i need to do.

If theres any yamaha xvs owners here some advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks

mellowmoose

[sagiliam]

get some carb cleaner, bout £5, spray it direct into carb whilst the bike is running. Spray direcly into carb till just before it stalls. So short sharp sprays are best. (Easy way to get in would be to take of air intake.) Worked well on my bike.

(noob question...is it poss a four stroke exhaust could clog with carbon deposits.?)

[rickyfazer]

You'll most probably have to take the tank off to get at the carbs,and to get the tank off you'll probably have to take the seat off
____________________
never wipe yer arse wi a broken bottle !

[mellowmoose]

thanks rickyfazer & sagiliam

Right this sounds like a weekend jobby, getting my seat and tank off.

I'll also give the carb cleaner a go - sounds like a good easy idea. worth a try.

mellowmoose