fuel system check

[Dochalladay]

Hello I have a 1987 GL 1200 Interstate that recently I have started to notice a few things going on which I be leave to be fuel related. First I am finding that when I am up to full speed and starting to climb a small incline of a hill I have to down shift to help maintain power. As I am giving more throttle it feels as it is flat and seems like there just not the power I need. It will get to the top but really seems to laboring. I am using a lot of gas which is going quick from a fill up. When I am at idle I can see the tack ticking maybe up down maybe 2 to 3 rpms. Last fall I used sea foam for the first time but I have had several fill ups since then. Not sure if that may have cleaned it out to good. I am not sure which way I should start to check on this. This year maintenance fresh oil and filter change, change air filter, change spark plugs. Ride to work most days 15 to 20 mins. ride home pending 30 45 mins.
Doc

[Bike...and Dennis]

Have you checked the flow of the fuel pump. 87s should pump 750 cc per minute.
If someone has changed the pump, there's like a 99% chance it's not correct.

Another possibility may be the gas cap not venting.

[Dochalladay]

Thank you Denise since my first post I had just replaced the fuel filter. I have not done in awhile so it was due anyway. Seems some better i did go for a short ride just make sure no leaks. 100% there. My wife and I went out yesterday for a ride towards New Hampshire it did boog down but not a fair assessment because she doesn't normally ride with me when I go out. I did ride to work this morning and on the way home I did go a little longer then normal but I had also gone a different way. I will test it better when I get out tomorrow after work. There are some normal hills I will check it against. Now if I could also check with you. I checked my rear shock psi was about 20. I center stand it tonight when I checked pumped up to forty watched gauge it didn,t drop reapply but may be weeping better to rebuild or to replace. and where to check. Thanks John

[Bike...and Dennis]

It's easy to check fuel flow and that's the only way to know if you pump is working correctly.
As far as the shock is concerned, I'm not clear on what you're asking. However, it's normal for the air to seep out a little. When was the last time you checked it?

Oh. And the name is Dennis.

[Dochalladay]

Sorry I missed spelled your name. I did check the shock air pressure the next morning and it was down to about 20 psi. Still looking for replacement shock. I did see some that are spring over not sure if this right. Fuel filter is making a difference so I needed to replace. still need to test run some of those hills yet. Next thing I might change timing belts in the fall. Dont want to miss to many of these riding days days up here in Maine. Thanks John

[Dochalladay]

Hello I just wanted to update on my resent findings. I happened to find that the air breather tube had some water in it. I drained the tube and the and the lower chamber. I also found the rear tire was low on air pressure. As this is a very day rider. Using the bike I would not have thought the air pressure was so low. May have been from the ride I took with my wife as I dont normally have a passenger. Bike is not using as much gas and the speed is coming up better over the hills. I will keep a better eye on this.

thanks, Doc Halladay

[Dochalladay]

My latest findings on the fuel system. I did order a fuel pump from e bay just to help me confirm if the pump was going bad. New pump came in pretty quick so I did change out the new pump. I am not for sure how long the old pump might have been going out. Once I changed it out the hesitation seems to be going away. Testing from my normal roads home just to compare I still had to down shift to 4th but it climb the hills a lot better. It also seems to power up better from when the engine is cold. When I am at a stop I can now hear the pump pumping or clicking. I am still planning to ride up till black ice shows up or Nov. which ever comes first. i Maine you just never know. Stay safe