Dying when trying to take off

[Megreenusmc1969]

Hey everyone,

Been a few months since I have been out on our 1991 GL1500 trike. Starts, has some issues, have to keep the choke on 1/2 way to keep it from dying. Using reverse, backed out of the garage, but could not even pull it back into the garage without it dying every time. It shifts into gear fine, it also revs fine while the clutch is pulled in. When I rev and start to release the clutch it dies instantly. Did not even get to drive down the block.

I know it’s probably on here somewhere, but everything I kept finding was saying the kickstand switch, but it was bypassed years ago by the previous owner.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

[Swagonmaster]

While I don't think that I have had that exact problem, my 1990 has had several vacuum hoses break at the inake manifold and the extra air could be the reason you need extra fuel(choke, which is really a fuel enrichment device) and still can't get the bike to run well enough to drive.

[Charlie1Horse]

If you haven't already, I would check the fuel pump, filter, and fuel hoses all the way to the carbs to find if maybe you have a fuel delivery problem. You may find that you are simply 'running out of fuel' at the carbs. Also, check the vacuum controlled fuel shut-off valve above the fuel cap.
Russell

[Megreenusmc1969]

While I don't think that I have had that exact problem, my 1990 has had several vacuum hoses break at the inake manifold and the extra air could be the reason you need extra fuel(choke, which is really a fuel enrichment device) and still can't get the bike to run well enough to drive.

Thanks Swagonmaster, I’ll take a look when I am able. Had to go to the ER on Tuesday, currently passing a kidney stone and they are going to try and blast the rest

[Megreenusmc1969]

If you haven't already, I would check the fuel pump, filter, and fuel hoses all the way to the carbs to find if maybe you have a fuel delivery problem. You may find that you are simply 'running out of fuel' at the carbs. Also, check the vacuum controlled fuel shut-off valve above the fuel cap.
Russell

Thanks Russell, I’ll take a look when I am able. Had to go to the ER on Tuesday, currently passing a kidney stone and they are going to try and blast the rest

[Megreenusmc1969]

Okay, passed my giant kidney stone, so looked at the bike a little closer. Starts no problem. If I crank back on the throttle, works fine. If I ease onto the throttle, it dies instantly. Starts right back up. So I’m not sure about it being a fuel problem. Does this still sound like a vacuum issue? I did not change the fuel filter, but will if we think it may help?

[Rambozo]

If I crank back on the throttle, works fine. If I ease onto the throttle, it dies instantly. Starts right back up. So I’m not sure about it being a fuel problem. Does this still sound like a vacuum issue? I did not change the fuel filter, but will if we think it may help?

Is this with the engine warmed up and the choke off?

[Megreenusmc1969]

If I crank back on the throttle, works fine. If I ease onto the throttle, it dies instantly. Starts right back up. So I’m not sure about it being a fuel problem. Does this still sound like a vacuum issue? I did not change the fuel filter, but will if we think it may help?

Is this with the engine warmed up and the choke off?

With the engine warmed up, have never been able to turn the choke off completely without it dying, it is most of the way off though, and after running about 10 minutes.

[Charlie1Horse]

Ok, I'm beginning to think that you have an internal carburetor problem, like plugged up jets or passageways. Have you tried emptying the gas tank and putting in new, fresh gas? Obviously, the accelerator pumps are working properly if you can crank the throttle and it works well. But if you have to have the choke on and can't rotate the throttle slowly, you may need to remove, disassemble, and clean the carbs. At that time you can check the vacuum hoses that route under the carbs and all the other hoses that connect to the carbs. You could try putting a can of Sea-Foam in the tank and just keep running it as much as possible and see if it starts to improve after quite a bit of running.
Russell

[Rambozo]

I would check for broken vacuum hoses or cracked carb boots.
If it needs choke to run it is way lean.
If it was anything to do with the kickstand switch it would die the moment you put it in gear even with the clutch fully pulled in.