Hello,
This is my first post from a newbie. I purchase my first bike two weeks ago, it is a 2003 ex500 with 5,000 miles, everything was going fine until after the first week. I noticed that the right cylinder was missing, or not firing properly, but was sporadic and would go and come (I could feel the power loss on the road). After a few miles the bike was not able to idle anymore, to get home I had to hold the engine above 3,000 RPM otherwise it would stall at signals. I removed the spark plugs and the right had chalky black soot on it. I replaced both with DR9EA gaped at .028". I also removed the carbs and inspected all the components. All the jets were spotless. After placing the new spark plugs in, the bike started up fine with no choke and ran for 30secs @ idle, then stalled. After repeated attempts to start the bike, it finally turned over, but again would stall if I did not keep the engine above 3,000rpm, the right exhaust also smoked profusely. I removed the spark plugs and the right spark plug looked at if it had not been used, spotless with no deposits, slightly wet but I wasn't sure if it was from gas or water.
Both spark plugs had similar arcs when I pulled them out and tested them. I checked compression on both cylinders and both reached 180psi after several starts. Also, when I got the bike the coolant level was down slightly with no apparent leaks in the cooling system. I am going to check the ignition and wiring per clymer's handbook tomorrow morning, but have no idea what it could be.
What comes to mind to me is an ignition issue, ignition timing issue, valve, head gasket, and carb fuel/air ratio issue...
Could anyone pass on some advise? I'm not sure where to go from here...
Thanks!
This is my first post from a newbie. I purchase my first bike two weeks ago, it is a 2003 ex500 with 5,000 miles, everything was going fine until after the first week. I noticed that the right cylinder was missing, or not firing properly, but was sporadic and would go and come (I could feel the power loss on the road). After a few miles the bike was not able to idle anymore, to get home I had to hold the engine above 3,000 RPM otherwise it would stall at signals. I removed the spark plugs and the right had chalky black soot on it. I replaced both with DR9EA gaped at .028". I also removed the carbs and inspected all the components. All the jets were spotless. After placing the new spark plugs in, the bike started up fine with no choke and ran for 30secs @ idle, then stalled. After repeated attempts to start the bike, it finally turned over, but again would stall if I did not keep the engine above 3,000rpm, the right exhaust also smoked profusely. I removed the spark plugs and the right spark plug looked at if it had not been used, spotless with no deposits, slightly wet but I wasn't sure if it was from gas or water.
Both spark plugs had similar arcs when I pulled them out and tested them. I checked compression on both cylinders and both reached 180psi after several starts. Also, when I got the bike the coolant level was down slightly with no apparent leaks in the cooling system. I am going to check the ignition and wiring per clymer's handbook tomorrow morning, but have no idea what it could be.
What comes to mind to me is an ignition issue, ignition timing issue, valve, head gasket, and carb fuel/air ratio issue...
Could anyone pass on some advise? I'm not sure where to go from here...
Thanks!