83 Midnight Maxim idling rough

[Midnightrider78]

I have an 1983 Yamaha Midnight Maxim that I just bought. I choke it and getting running, shut of the choke and it just wont idle. When its warmed up it seems to idle alittle better but could this be a carburater issue? I have to take all four carbs off but I will if it will getting it running better. Also, when I run it it smells gassy, like its getting to much gas. Any ideas would help!!

[CB750F]

Sounds like the carbs need to be pulled off and taken apart and cleaned then adjusted.

[Midnightrider78]

Is that somthing I could do? I've taken off a carb before on a Honda Shadow but never four! Is there any tips you could give?

[CB750F]

I would pick up a shop manual first, you can get them at any bike shop or at www.repairmanual.com or Ebay or any other place on the net. That will have all the specs in it that you'll need for settin' the floats and whatnot. If you don't want to do that there is a way to get them set by eye. You flip the whole rack of carbs upside down and make sure that the float arms are paralell to the carb bodies. That will get ya close enough. Might want to pick up some rebuild kits that come with new gaskets and jets. They also come with new float needles and seats. They are about $20 a carb so it be $80 for the whole works. I don't know what size yours is so I kinda had to guess at the price. See is yours is on this page. Ebay has them also or any good bike shop should be able to get you some.

https://www.partsnmore.com/index-yamaha.htm


I wouldn't pull the tops off, just the float bowls. Then take the jets out using a real good screwdriver or wrench. Make sure they are clean including any holes that are along the sides of them. Clean out all orifices with carb cleaner and check your float level. Pull the floats off, there is a pin that holds them in, and see if the needle has a ring around it on the tip. if it does the needle and seats need replaced.

There is a post here that has a link to a video but I can't find it right now. I did find this one.
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/2007/01/carb-cleaning-hot-to-video-tutorial.html

They are a pain to get back in, just be patient.

Any bike shop can do it also. It may not be the carbs bein' dirty also. It's tough to figure out what exactly is wrong without bein' there.

[Midnightrider78]

Youve been a huge help! thanks for taking the time to send me all the info! I really appreciate it. Luke

[CB750F]

Anytime dude. Just hope you get it goin' again and get it runnin' right. I have a soft spot for older Japanese bikes for some reason, maybe it's because I can't afford the older Harleys.

BTW a shop will charge around $150 to $200 for a carb cleaning on all 4 carbs. If they want more than that it's too much.