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Help! 1990 California III bucking, burping and lurching

H

hwagner Minnesota

Just got it firing!
GT Contributor
Joined
Jun 8, 2023
Messages
5
Location
Minneapolis
I recently purchased this 1990 California III and after taking to a mechanic for a post-purchase inspection, when I got it back the bike bucks, misses, pops under any acceleration. It has clip-on carb air filters and the thought is that they are the problem, causing over-lean air/fuel mixture.... however it did not do this when I brought it in. The proposed fix is to install an original airbag and intake manifolds, but the parts person says that might not be the answer since it wasn't doing it before bringing it in. The is also a Dyna3 aftermarket coil and an alternative thought is that the advance is sticking or the wires might be loose.
Not sure that is sufficient info but any help would be most appreciated. It is the first day of what was supposed to be a 4 day bike through Southern MN but how it sit's in a bike shop in LaCrosse WI.
 
As Steve said, they broke it, they need to fix it. This is the kind of think you can't diagnose over the internet. Hands on is required. They must of mis adjusted something, or knocked something loose. It is up to them to figure it out. Some of the 1990s I think had a LeMans engine. If you have 40mm Delorto carbs, you got lucky, if the 36mm you have the mid valve engine.
 
I bet they started playing with the adjustment screws on the throttle body and got it totally screwed up. Unfortunately, it is impossbile to diagnose remotely like this.
 
scottmastrocinque said:
I bet they started playing with the adjustment screws on the throttle body and got it totally screwed up. Unfortunately, it is impossbile to diagnose remotely like this.
Click to expand...
Scott, that era had both fuel injected and carburated engines. Since he is talking about the different manifolds and stuck advance, my bet is he has a carb model.
 
john zibell said:
Scott, that era had both fuel injected and carburated engines. Since he is talking about the different manifolds and stuck advance, my bet is he has a carb model.
Click to expand...
My bad. He even said carb air filters.

I will slap myself and go stand in the corner, if I can only just remember where it is…
 
"bucks, misses, pops under any acceleration", gives rise to the first thought of ignition problems.
Already mentioned: sticky advance timing and also mentioned plugs.

Of further importance is they type of ignition wich is on the bike.
Does it still use breaker points on the tower (right side) between the cilinders or is an aftermarkt electronic device in use.
(there is also a remark about aftermarkt dyna coils), so there might be a dyna ignition in the tower which replaced the breaker points.

Options:
1. Breaker points or Dyna ignition in the tower; both rely on the little metal weights in the tower for advancing the ignition.
They could be stuck. Or require a drip of lubricant on the textile pad near by.

2. Check both plugs for spark, also check the caps for defects

3. Check ignition timing

4. If a Dyna ignition in the tower is installed and it is malfunctioning you most likely need to replace it or buy another unit.
They cann't be repaired by the average soul.

Take care.
 
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