Strange machine is vexing me!

[Burro]

Hey gang I've got me a puzzler. 1972 Honda cb500 four, doesn't have any torque but idles great, torque only shows up with the choke in the closed position, but then it wont idle or ride for more then ten feet or ten seconds. I've checked the timing, and isolated the kill switch (which was giving me fits earlier), installed electronic ignition, new wires, plugs, and coils. Any thoughts? Thanks I really appreciate the knowledge ya'll bring to the table here.

[Daddyman]

Not gettin enough fuel.  Start at the tank and work your way down to the carbs.

[shinyribs]

I agree with Daddyman.When you close the choke you are forcing it to run richer.

[TOOLS1]

Ditto what they said.
TOOLS

[Burro]

It does have a new fiberglass tank, and a new petcock. Whats the best way to test flow rate?

[TOOLS1]

Pull the gas line off the carb, and let it run into a container.
TOOLS

[Lucky 1]

Your problems a re a classic case of running lean.

You need to show us a photo of the carbs. That way we can see which ones the are.
If you do not know anything about carbs don't just take them apart.
Get someone to do it that knows what they are doing.

You said it would start and idle. That means the idle jets probably are not clogged.
Do not worry about the fuel flow from the tank. You could drive the bike for a quarter mile just on the fuel in the float bowls.

If those carbs have an accelerator pump and the spray tubes or check valve is not working that could also be the problem.  If you have pod filters and if the needle clip position is wrong that could be the problem too.

You did not say or show us one of the spark plugs.

What type exhaust do you have?

There is a lack of information , Nothing to work with. You did tell us about the new parts you bought.

[Lucky 1]

Remove the fuel hose from the petcock.

Get a container and turn on the fuel valve. Did gas come out? Good - You have your answer.

[Daddyman]

Lucky I must say that the fuel flow from the tank is something to worry about, no flow, or slow flow, no go!

[Burro]

I will test the fuel flow latter this eve. That's making sense to me as it runs fine for the first little while and then gets to back firing and lack of power. I'm thinking the new petcock is the problem as this didn't happen with the old one on it. Thanks for the help and I'll definitely let ya'll know how it turns out. Oh and as to the lack of info part. Stock carbs for the type, ngk plugs in the heat range from the manual, open MAC 4 into 1 exhaust, pod filters. All those and the ignition upgrades were on it before it started acting up on me.

[Burro]

Many thanks all! It was a combination of problems, one schmutz in the new fuel petcock, two I didn't try putting the lever on reserve, and three the new tank looks like it has plenty of fuel in it when in reality it needs to be put on reserve. I'll attach a pic of the troublesome beasty! Thanks again!

[rich]

Beautiful bike. You did a nice job on it.

[shinyribs]

Glad you got it sorted out! I LOVE THAT TANK!!!!Can i have it?  Your bike is beautiful,man.Well done

[Daddyman]

Ya great lookin bike, Ribs I'll race ya for that tank!

[Burro]

Wish I could take credit for it. The tank and seat are from Benji, and the paint is by the bikes owner's brother who is a total badass painter. I'm just the dude turning the wrenches. Can't wait to get my machine into the paint booth!

[shinyribs]

Daddyman wrote

Ya great lookin bike, Ribs I'll race ya for that tank!

Bring it on Mopar boy

[Daddyman]

Ill run my other 750 I mean 1500

[shinyribs]

Now that is cool!I'd love to see how they got the chain hooked up