I just found your website and I was hoping for some advise. I have a 2001 midnight star which starts up fine, however by the time I try to take off the engine stalls and wont start. I have gas in it, plugs are good and since I'm not much of a mechanic I would appriciate some help as to what I should be looking for. Thanks!

DD , give your new audience any info that could be relevent.Any changes such as jetting, new pipes, etc... or any other mechanical change you or a shop have made?

Welcome to the forum DD

however by the time I try to take off the engine stalls and wont start.

More info would help someone pinpoint the problem. How long is it sitting running before you take off? Is it idleing with the choke on the whole time? When you say it won't start do you mean it turns over but won't run? Have you done any jetting or other mods? What do you have to do to get it started again? After it dies do you still leave the choke on when you try and restart? Are you giving it gas when you try and re start?

Sorry guys! I have sampson big guns for pipes, from barons I have the bak kit as well as the fuel pump relocation kit. The choke is off and it's only when I rev the throttle that is dies. The engine afterward turns over but nothing happens. After a few cranks it becomes more difficult to turn the engine over. The times that i have been able to start it and keep it going is when I am on a level surface (my driveway). As soon as I back it off the driveway and I am on a level surface again (the street) that is when it wont start. I have had it idle for more than 5 minutes which it does seem like a normal idle and it seems like it then is running fine. Hope this helps. Thanks for responding!

DD,

Might want to check your fuel pump and see if it's providing sufficient fuel flow. Also, there's a small strainer at the entrance to your fuel bowl in the carburetor that may need cleaning. Another thing is the vent on the gas tank. If that's clogged, it could prevent a normal fuel flow. A restricted flow might permit running at idle but then bog down as the carburetor runs out of fuel under higher demand. Disconnecting the fuel line that goes into the carburetor and running the gas into a jar or can would give you an idea if the problem was in front of the carburetor.

That's my $.02. Good luck getting things straightened out!

Forgot to mention the first goround -- there's a fuel filter that sits on top of the fuel pump. It it's clogged that could be causing your problem.<br><br>Post edited by: pday, at: 2006/09/12 15:39

DD , did this problem start after you did on or any of these mods? If so which one(s). Is the bike jetted to accommodate that BAK? Are you letting it idle to long, thus loading it up? Do you have a bad tank of fuel(yes this can happen)? let us know.

I usually use the choke for about 30 seconds to a minute...I may have used poor gas this go-round. Sorry if I sound like I don't know what I'm doing...I don't! That's why guys like all of you and this forum are a God-send. Thanks for all the help and I'll tool around and see what I come up with. I'm outta here but will check back in on Wednesday. Thanks again!!!

In addition to the other suggestions.

You may have water in the fuel bowl.

Try draining the fuel bowl opening the screw on the bottom of the bowl and letting some fluid out. Drain it into a glass container so that you can check to see if that's the problem.

Do you smell gas when trying to start it? Then it might be too rich and it may be flooding the carb, especially if it doesn't start after a few tries. Check the float bowl level.

It not necessary to warm the bike up.

Doc