Bought A Used 636, Some Issues!

[newt0n]

I just recently bought my 636. The previous owner put 3,500 miles on it and did routine maintenance at my local shop (they have verified this). It was stored in his garage for "all winter" my guess is 8-10 months. Until I bought it, it hadn't even been turned over. I have since changed the oil, oil filter, and brake fluid. I also ran fuel system cleaner through a tank of gas. I am still having issues and don't have the money for a full tune up. I am hoping someone can address each problem and I can fix them myself!

1.) When shifting from 'N' to '1' at a dead stand still I have to play with the clutch sometimes for it to engage.

2.) My gearbox is "clunky" (possible error on my part for bad shifting)

3.) Gear '6' whines all the time (possible straight cut gear instead of the normal helical cut)

4.) The bike idles very strangely ranging from 800-1200 rpms at times, exhaust note rises and falls repeatedly in a pattern. (possible air leak)

5.) In gear '1' the throttle does not seem to be responding to my twist. I will twist and nothing then all of a sudden BOOM! I'm off. (possible water in the gas tank, only noticeable at slow speeds)

If anyone has any insight to any of this please feel free to slap me silly and correct anything I am doing wrong

[Reptar]

My brothers r6 was doing that after about 11 months of storage. I changed the fuel, air, and oil filter and spark plugs, and it runs like a champ fires up without choke and all. Also check vacuum lines...

[newt0n]

I will look into all of that, thanks!

[newt0n]

Does anyone know what type of spark plugs my bike takes?

[newt0n]

Originally Posted by Reptar

My brothers r6 was doing that after about 11 months of storage. I changed the fuel, air, and oil filter and spark plugs, and it runs like a champ fires up without choke and all. Also check vacuum lines...

Might you specify which of the 5 things I listed was occuring in your scenario as well?

[SLIDER]

1.) that's completely normal to have to play with the clutch to get it into first. the transmition needs to be in a certain position in order to engage.

2.) the clunk could be you shifting poorly or your clutch lever being out of adjustment.

3.) gear whine is pretty normal. my 636 had lots of it. I'm assuming you don't have a pipe either. that would help drown it out. just make sure it doesn't get excessivly loud.

4.) sounds' like a vacuum leak. can cause a "surging" at idle

5.) when you have a vacuum leak, it causes a lean condition(hesitation) temporarily when getting on the throttle. There would have to be a lot of water in the tank for it to cause a problem. check all of your hoses and hook up a vacuum gauge if you can...

[newt0n]

Originally Posted by SLIDER

1.) that's completely normal to have to play with the clutch to get it into first. the transmition needs to be in a certain position in order to engage.

2.) the clunk could be you shifting poorly or your clutch lever being out of adjustment.

3.) gear whine is pretty normal. my 636 had lots of it. I'm assuming you don't have a pipe either. that would help drown it out. just make sure it doesn't get excessivly loud.

4.) sounds' like a vacuum leak. can cause a "surging" at idle

5.) when you have a vacuum leak, it causes a lean condition(hesitation) temporarily when getting on the throttle. There would have to be a lot of water in the tank for it to cause a problem. check all of your hoses and hook up a vacuum gauge if you can...

Very helpfull, so it seems all I need to fix is the vacuum leak. Where can i get a vacuum gauge and where can I find out how to use it?

[Reptar]

Yeah here are what the r6 was doing 2001 by the way:

1. Took forever to fire up
2. Idle surges from about 1k to 3k and would stick at 3k and start rising by itself sometimes
3. when you flick the throttle it would make a vacuum sucking sound and die out
4. Tranny difficult to shift gears, adjusted the clutch cable fixed the problem
5. And dead spots in the acceleration when you would finally get it going.

I used NGK plugs about $12 a piece, yamaha fuel filter, K&N airfilter and oilfilter, and adjusted the idle screw to manuf. specs...

Hope this helps a little, good luck.

Ride Safe,

Reptar

[newt0n]

it was helpful. I am torn now, do some work myself (requires tools I dont have) or just get a Tune Up at 3,500 miles and skip my 4,000 mile tune up

[Reptar]

Does it have a tool kit... All the tools I needed to remove the seat,tank,fairing, all filters except oil were in the little tool kit that came with the bike. The only tool I used was a screwdrive with a bigger handle to get more leverage.... If you can do it your self and save cash i say do it. If cash is not a problem take it in... It could also be a learning experience for you to do it your self if its your first time... we all learned somewhere somehow... goodluck.....

Ride Safe,

Reptar

[SLIDER]

chances are one of the hoses came loose. take your tank off and search around. listen for a sucking noise or hissing. your owners manual will telll you how to do the clutch adjustment.

[newt0n]

I do not have a gaping tool for the plugs, a vacuum gauge, and some others. but yes I do have a tool kit.

[newt0n]

bump

[newt0n]

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[newt0n]

anyone have anything further to add?

[gharamti]

My bike had tons of problems too after sitting for a year.

You will probably have to at least drain all the fuel, and try to flush out the tank and lines.

Pull the carbs, and remove all the jets and needles, and clean them. Mine were all covered in a green sludgey shit that was messing everything up. Reassemble, making sure to keep the stock specifications on the screws if your bike is stock.

Clean out the float bowls with carb cleaner, blow through all holes. Throw some new spark plugs in it and put half a can of seafoam in the gas tank. Should take care of your problem!

Carb cleaning isnt hard, i learned how to do it through this forum and downloading a service manual . Before this, I have never done anything with a bike.