Starting was getting harder. (apparent solution)
 

When I picked up this bike 10 weeks or so ago, i don't remember dates, it wouldn't
crank and wouldn't start when jumped.

Flat battery and carb rebuild later I got a pretty nice running bike.

Starting a couple weeks ago it started getting real hard to start when cold. I was
worried the low compression was the culprit but had other suspicions too.

Yesterday I was idling at a light and the engine slowly slowed down from it's idle
speed of 1500 rpm to stall. Not like you kill it... It just idled down slowly.

So I'm thinking. That almost seemed like I ran out of gas.
I hit the starter button and it sparked right back to life and continued idling normally.

Brainstorm brainstorm.

Next morning I don't leave the fuel in the on state but instead in the prime state.
Then set the choke full and cranked.... Instant fire.
Hrmmm....

I head to work in prime, kill it, and set the petcock back to 'on'.

Time to go home. Set to prime, full chock, instant fire. *interesting*

I'm thinking either the diaphram in the petcock is leaking or the vacuum line is
leaking and the carb is not getting enough gas.

Otherwise the motor runs perfect.

I'm gonna get a new vacuum line and new fuel line for the bike.

I also now need to rebuild the petcock valve as it is now leaking real slow from
my constant switching. It is 15 years old and was sitting in the same one position
for many years.

Couple suggestions that you may want to do. Pop the tank off and remove the petcock. It will have two screens that might have a lot of crap trying to plug them. One for "ON" position and one for "Prime" position. Also install an inline filter when adding the new fuel line.

Will be done and done ;)

Perhaps a new farkle in my near future XD

Thanks.

going to do this on my bike cause i have been having crazy idling issues. when taking off the petcock do i need to be prepared for rush of gas exiting the tank?

Before removing the petcock, put it in "pri" and drain the fuel into a handy container.

Without the petcock your tank is wide open.
I like to just get a 5 gallon gas can and some hose and just put the valve to 'pri' and
drain the tank into the gas can while it's still on the bike first.

yes, that's what I said. :hmm:

thanks guys, cleaned the fuel filter and installed the inline filter. still having issues but it is getting better. similar to what i have read from others. high idle then when i turn the choke down it dies at the next stop. I cleaned the carb few weeks ago and lubed the throttle cables. Going to check the valves this weekend, crossing my fingers

Have you checked the actual idling speed? With the choke off and the engine HOT, you need to adjust the big white knob under the carb, to give you 1200 to 1400 RPM idling.

Update:
Oki doke... Thread start 7/1. It's now 7/4. Every start using prime position on the petcock has
been instant fire first crank.
Problem diagnosed.
Get my next check in a few days so I know what I'm buying :~D