MisterX

Hi Guys, Thanks for helping me out last time. TDM is running like a dream with the exception of a very nasty grinding noise coming from the gearbox when I accellerate in 3rd. I have accepted the fact that my gearbox is shot and fully intend to do a strip and re-build in the summer however I need to ask a few questions. Firstly, how easy would it be to do the strip and re-build for a first timer? I will not be pushed for time as I wont need the bike until next winter so that would give me plenty of time to complete the task. Secondly would it be easier to purchase a new engine and swap them over? One of the reasons that I dont want to do this is that I know the engine I have is good and whats to say the engine I replace it with has gearbox issues also. I understand that these early gearboxes aren't that good anyway (the worst on any bike I have had). Finally, I am still using the bike on a daily basis but just skipping 3rd every time I change up. Will using the bike in its current state make things worse i.e bits of broken up 3rd gear floating around the engine. Many thanks for you infinite wisdom, Rob, (MisterX) 1991 TDM 850

YIPPEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Bike started and running like a dream (almost) I went a bit mad with the old petrol down the holes thing and after one almighty explosion she atarted. A bit ropey at first but sorted out the idle and I have used it now for two days without fault. It is even running better than it did when I put it away. There is one small problem however. When I give it a handfull there are a few flat spots as I accellerate. Only small little jerks that I can live with but when the throttle is rolled back nice and smooth she accellerates fine. I would like to say thanks to everybody that has helped me. My knowledge of bikes has been growing every day for the past few weeks and I hope that some day I will be able to help somebody the way you have all helped me out. Thanks again, Rob.

Made some progress today. tried everything that has been suggested with the fuel hose disconnected and all and still no difference. The only difference is that now it tries to start 3 or 4 times then nothing. However, I poured a "BIT MORE" than just a few drops of petrol down the plug holes and what happened next scared the living daylights out of me. It tried to start a bit more than has done in the last week and at one point I thought it might start but then after the biggest backfire I ever heard it just kept turning and turning. Would this indicate that there is indeed something wrong with the carbs? and would it benefit from me replacing all of the little rubber seals that are inside the carb? they dont seem that bad i.e not perished. The diaphragms are not split and seem fine and the the choke plungers move freely. When I took them apart I removed everything except the pilot screw as the haynes manual said that it was not necessary and required adjustment if it was removed. Cheers, Rob.

Hi, Ok, heres what I have done today. Put the carbs back on after dismantling and cheching, blowing air through everything but still doing the same however, when I tried to start it with the airbox off it did kick in about 5-6 times off the choke but after that, nothing. I kept trying to start it but fuel was spitting out of the carb tops so there is obviously fuel getting in. With the box on I get nothing still. I checked the plugs just before I packed up and they do seem to be getting wet. I get the feeling that I am very close and that it is something so so simple but just cant get it. Thanks for your help all amd if you still have any other ideas they will be most welcome. thanks, Rob.

Thanks Andy. Yes there is fresh fuel in the tank as I had to get a new tank in the summer and I am pretty certain the plugs are getting wet but to be honest I haven't been looking for that. I will do tomorrow. I have gone right through the electrics today and am convinced that it is not electrical. I have checked continuity right through the loom against a wiring diagram and all seems to be ok. I stripped the carbs down and all seems to be fine. I will put them back on tomorrow and have another check of the plugs just to be certain. I may dip the ends of the plugs in some petrol and then try to start it. Is this a good idea? perhaps it will tell me something. Any other ideas? Thanks, Rob.

Beez, thanks for the reply. I will have a look in a mo (when my garage gets warmer). Would that stop the bike turning over though as the engine is turning over fine? cheers, misterX

Help me please! Winter is here and I managed to do all of the little jobs that needed doing on my TDM to get it on the road for the winter however it will not start. I have changed the plugs and am getting a healthy spark when turning over and have stripped and overhauled the carbs. I have checked all fuel hoses and none are blocked. Fuel is getting to the carbs nicely but the thing is still not starting. I have checked continuity from the battery to the engine to check that there is a good earth and that is also fine. So as you can see I am stumped. Being new to taking apart bikes and putting them back together, my knowledge is still building but the TDM seems like the ideal bike for me to learn. If anyone has any ideas as to what this problem could be please let me know as I am really getting fed up with being stuck in traffic in a car every day. I need my trusty TDM back. Please help. Thanks, MisterX. '92 TDM 850