Backfires

[VTXCruiser]

I have a 2005 Honda VTX 1300R. It has been running real good since I bought it. I drove it at least once a month during the winter and put stabil in the fuel in case I could not drive it. Started riding this pring and about the 5th or 6th time out (about 600 miles) it starting to backfire when I let off from the throttle to slow down and come to a stop. I called Honda dealer and he said carburetors were probably gummed up. Told me to run carburetor cleaner through the system and change the plugs. Did both and no help. Dealer cannot get it in for three weeks (its still under warranty). I am leaving for a trip soon and need some help. Any ideas??
VTXCruiser

[Charlie D]

carb cleaner isn't going to do much, Techron will help some maybe run every third fill up.

The backfire is pretty common, more so in the cooler temps.

the pair injection system pumps fresh air into your EXH and that is what causes the backfire, rapid accel and decell will put more raw fuel into the cylinders and you will get more popping.

Don't run anything but 87 octane gas any higher has additives to prevent burning so it doesn't run as hot.

Check that your plug wires are all the way seated on the plugs.

also make sure all vac lines are still in place and have not weather checked.

[VTXCruiser]

Thank you for the information, I will give it a try!
VTXCruiser

[Wallacem]

You have a vacumn hose off under the tank. Definite. Wallace

[Wallacem]

You have a vacumn hose off under the tank. Wallace

[johnny_five]

Hi all! I bought a new 2006 VTX 1300C a few months ago. It has almost 900 miles on it. Now then, the bike only backfires at idle when I'm popping the throttle. Even so, it's only every-so-often. Is this normal, or is there something wrong with the carb? Bike doesn't run super smooth either. Even after warm up, it kinda chugs a little. Like the exhaust pipes aren't sync'd. Am I worrying about nothing? Thanks!

[Charlie D]

Hi all! I bought a new 2006 VTX 1300C a few months ago. It has almost 900 miles on it. Now then, the bike only backfires at idle when I'm popping the throttle. Even so, it's only every-so-often. Is this normal, or is there something wrong with the carb? Bike doesn't run super smooth either. Even after warm up, it kinda chugs a little. Like the exhaust pipes aren't sync'd. Am I worrying about nothing? Thanks!

Then DON'T pop the throttle

What you are doing is dumping raw fuel into the carb we have an excelerator (sp) pump, what you are doing is fouling the plugs, odds are your plugs are slightly fouled you can pull them and check or you can hit the interstate and run her up in 3rd to the speed limit and hold her there for 10 miles or so.

Most of the 1300s don't like to be lugged

[dansist]

Don't use the choke any more than absolutely necessary. And I know this sounds stupid, but I know of two people who made this mistake: Did you change all FOUR spark plugs? Believe it or not, some folks have owned a VTX a couple of years before realizing that there are two plugs per cylinder.

Good luck.

[johnny_five]

I haven't had the bike long enough to warrant changing the plugs. I have looked at them and a couple have a brownish color while the others are still white. Bike has good power when driving it around, even better on the highway. I may go ahead and change the plugs out anyways. Thanks for the tips.

[poolmaster79]

I had the same problem along with it taking forever to warm up. It would backfire and run rich for at least 15-20 minutes. I put in a K&N filter and Dynojet Stage II kit and problem solved.

[dansist]

My plugs fouled at only 400 miles because I was starting it fully choked and letting it run that way until warm-up. It was doing all of the things you described.

[Longboater]

Amen. No choke and a little Techron will take you along way.

[wayne]

I haven't had the bike long enough to warrant changing the plugs. I have looked at them and a couple have a brownish color while the others are still white. Bike has good power when driving it around, even better on the highway. I may go ahead and change the plugs out anyways. Thanks for the tips.


The Xs are a little lean from the factory, you may try opening the a/f screw a little. Your plugs sound fine, (maybe) a little lean.

[VTXCruiser]

:spank:
Finally got fed up enough with the backfiring issue and told dealer to keep the bike until they find the problem. Dealer was excellent about working with me. I wanted to work with them to get the problem resolved so otherswho may have had the same problem could benefit from the solution.

They kept leaning up the carburetor hoping that that would be the cure. At times it would seem that it was fixed but even the 3 times they leaned it up did not cure the problem. They blocked off the pair valve thinking that if it was the pair valve it would run better. It ran worse, ten times worse.
What they finally found was a leaking vacuum hose to the pair valve. They replaced the hose and it is running flawlessly.
:cheers:
Hope this helps some of you who may be having a similar problem!! Thank you all for your help and suggestions.
VTXcruiser
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Mac/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg :choppersm

[VTXCruiser]

WallaceM,
You were right all along about the backfiring problem. It was a vacuum line issue and it is replaced an resolved. Thank you
VTXcruiser

[priceman1]

WallaceM,
You were right all along about the backfiring problem. It was a vacuum line issue and it is replaced an resolved. Thank you
VTXcruiser
The dealership replaced the gas petcock on my vtx 1300 and then I started having the backfire problem. I will ask the dealership to check the vaccum hose to see if that fixes my vtx. Thanks.