KawasakiTrax Community

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: RickB on February 11, 2013, 07:45:40 AM

Title: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: RickB on February 11, 2013, 07:45:40 AM

i have a 81 Intruder 440 and cant seem to get passed 30 mph. I have had the carbs rebuilt twice and still no speed. wondering if you guys have any suggestions one what might be wrong.

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: jimvw57 on February 11, 2013, 12:19:03 PM

Clutch? belt? track too tight? Muffler clogged? carbs balanced? 

Need some more info.. How is compression? start hard? new fuel? Both plugs firing?

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: RickB on February 12, 2013, 01:32:48 PM

compression tester said 160.belt is new clutches look like working( not sure how to test to make sure are) gas is new.

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: RickB on February 12, 2013, 01:39:03 PM

lots of exhaust when idleing.

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: Habbeli on February 12, 2013, 03:29:28 PM

A short film tells more than thousand words  ;) ;D

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: mswyka on February 12, 2013, 05:27:40 PM

Rick, I  am struggling with a similar problem with our 79.  Starts and idles fine, good compression (cold, have not tested warm), but it won't spin up past half throttle.  Worked fine last year.  And to add to that, when it is cold it starts out just fine, but as she gets warmer performance deteriorates.

Do you see a difference in how it reacts when it is warm vrs. when it is cold?

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: RickB on February 13, 2013, 09:07:43 AM

Doesnn't seem to be much of a differance from warm to cold.. i haven't dome a compression test when it is warm hoping i get time tonight to check that out.

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: jimvw57 on February 13, 2013, 10:52:18 AM

Start out by spraying the inside of the clutch with brake cleaner and see if any crud comes out. (assuming a Kawasaki clutch here)  then take a magic marker (or a sharpie) and draw a line down the face of the clutch where the belt rides. go for a spin and see how much of the line disappears.  Could be as simple as the wrong belt (too long)

160 compression sounds like a new motor!  what is top rpm?

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: Interceptor398 on February 13, 2013, 08:52:41 PM

I had a real nice mouse nest in the muffler that acted the same way.

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: RickB on February 14, 2013, 07:55:33 AM

yes it is almost new only has 1700 miles on it found in a guys barn was sitting in there for 15 years.. seems to only get about 5500 rpm.. i took exhaust off and shook didn't hear anythig rattleing not sure how else to check that. and went and bought a brand new belt so it should be good. carbs have been rebuilt twice with new parts and cleaned really good both times. new coil. tonight i will try a different set of plugs.. A friend told me check reed valves but i dont belive this has them or does it?

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: bryan_damone on February 14, 2013, 09:09:13 AM

Piston ports...no reed valves. You are correct.

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: gixxer6 on February 14, 2013, 09:49:13 AM

Take the pipe to a car wash and flush it with a pressure washer. 

Also, pull the airbox and check for a mice nest. 

Title: Re: 81 Intruder Problem
Post by: RickB on February 15, 2013, 08:14:33 PM

thanks for all your advice.. seems to have been a bad plug.