XT 350 Running problems

[fugitive]

If anyone could please help with this one.....

'85 XT 350 runs great with a little choke, as soon as the choke is off it runs really uneven and is a real pig to ride. Have cleaned the carb out as much as I can, just wanted to hear what other people think before I start buying inlet rubbers and other things to try to solve problem.

[BlackDogZulu]

Most likely an air leak. Before you spend any money on anything, run the engine (with as little choke as you can get away with) and spray WD40 or similar onto the carb inlet rubbers. If the engine note rises, it's sucking the fluid in, and you have a leak. If this test doesn't show anything, then it's time to take the carb off and investigate. If you get the rubbers off, pull and twist them to look for splits - they can be hard to find.

I'm assuming you have already had a good look and eliminated any obvious sources of leaks.

[fugitive]

Thanks for that, did give the WD40 trick a try and didn't seem to change anything but will try it again tomorrow. Remember doing it on old VW's on their rubber intake joints.

It does have a piece of the air box broken off where the rubber intake pipe join, didn't think it would make much difference but have just taped it up and will try it again in a bit.

Thanks for the seat cover tips, just finished it and put it on this evening, looks great.

[fugitive]

Just been out for a spin and tape over the damaged air box as made a huge improvement, will fix or find a new air box

[BlackDogZulu]

Good news. Sounds like the filter is being bypassed and delivering too much air. I've known occasions when an airbox has removed altogether and spoiled the running, but not just a bit of damage. Still we live and learn.

Great bike, the XT350. I've had two, and I would have another tomorrow if the right one came up.