Motorcycle Club » Star 1100 Classic & Custom

Just bought a V Star 1100 with carb issues

12 posts from 7 voices
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  1. Member
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    Hi all,
    I just purchased my first V Star and I believe it has some jetting/carb/exhaust issues. It's a 2003 V Star 1100 Classic. The guy I bought it from had a full Cobra exhaust and Barons Big Air Kit installed. He said he rode it for a while and it ran good but it started not running so good. He had someone look at it and said it was now fixed but after only a few miles on the road it started spitting, popping and backfiring again. He didn't want to put any more money in the bike so I bought it.
    What I'd like to know is what should I do first to address this issue? I don't want to go out and buy a MaxAir Predator kit if I can have the Barons fixed and running properly.
    Anyone with any ideas please let me know. I can't wait to get this thing on the road.
    Thanks

  2. Member
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    Try some Seafoam in your gas tank first and, if that doesn't work, needs carbs rejetted, most likely.

  3. Member
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    Check to see if the AIS is diconnected, that may be the cause of the popping and back firing.

  4. Member
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    Along with what has already been suggested, you could have an exhaust leak. Seems like once the bike heats up you are getting the popping. Could it be that once the pipes expand a bit this is creating the leak. Just recheck and reseat the exhaust bolts at the heads and if two piece pipes at those points as well.

    As suggested already, definitely try some SeaFoam. It may take a full tank of gas with the conditioner to eliminate the problem. Try fresh gas along with the SeaFoam.

  5. Member
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    Quote:
    Just recheck and reseat the exhaust bolts at the heads and if two piece pipes at those points as well.
    This is particularly good advice if the bike had an oil change recently. The exhuast has to come off to change the filter unless there is an oil filter relocation kit installed. It is easy to damage / lose an exhaust gasket when re-assembling the front pipe, and this can cause a LOT of back-firing and popping.

    If the thing sat for a long time with gas in the carbs, you may have to take the float bowls off and manually clean everything in there. There are many threads here on how to drain / remove and clean the carbs and you will see the words "Sea Foam" a lot. If the usual things don't help (Sea Foam in the gas tank and run the snot out of it, new fuel filter, check / re-gap spark plugs and drain the carb bowls) you might find it best to just take the carbs off and clean them out. While you have them off, you can check the jet sizes and make sure that they are the right ones. Buying a bike that someone else worked on can sometimes be a real adventure (I know this from personal experience). The BAK is supposed to be a good kit, though, and I never heard anyone complain about them.

  6. Member
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    Check the rubber boots where the carbs hook to the air box too.

    Another thing to find out, is what jets that have in now and how the carb is set up. Just because it was "jetted" doesn't mean it was done right. We've found that stock needles (shimmed correctly) and Mikuni jets are by far the best way to go. Here is a link to some info on your set up.

    sloneservices.com/SilverBack/VStar1100-FAQ-05.htm#Mod-Hypercharger

    There is a ton of other useful info in the "KB" at it is known......hope that helps

  7. Member
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    Thanks for all the ideas guys. I'm going to run the Sea Foam through it and if that doesn't clear it up when I get a free weekend I'll tear into it and see what I can find.

  8. Member
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    If you;re going the Seafoam route, make sure to give it at least a full tank full....

  9. Member
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    The Sea Foam route didn't work so I guess I'll be tearing into it when I get a free weekend

  10. Member
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    The problem ended up being in the jets as I originally suspected. Whoever worked on this bike before I bought it didn't have a clue. Bigger jets in the rear cylinder carburetor than in the front. The front carburetor had the stock setup in it. It was a mess...can't believe it ran at all.
    It's amazing what a difference the right stuff will make. I had it up to 90 mph in no time without a miss or sputter at all. It feels as strong as my VTX 1300 now and looks tons better to boot.

  11. Member
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    That is usually the issue. Somebody without a clue trying to jet a carb. I'm glad you got it fixed. Keep that link to the knowledge base for the 1100. there is a TON of great stuff. 10 years worth of experience on every part of the bike....

    For you information, these things come stock with a larger jet in the front, than the back, because of the sharp turn of the rear exhaust elbow.

  12. Member
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    There is NO SUCH THING AS I MECHANIC IN A CAN!!! gas additives can help varnish from forming in carbs but they will NEVER do a good job of cleaning them!! Higher tempratures will spoil gas faster than lower temps this is why a snow blower always needs a tune up in the fall and a mower genraly only needs an oil change....

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