Hey everyone. I have a 2004 Yamaha Road Star 1700. Everything on this bike is stock, except for the Cobra pipes on it. The one thing I noticed after I got it was that it can start easily without choke. Anyway, Last week I went on a 200 mile ride with my buddy and half way through the ride, my bike started to act up around 1/8th to 1/4 throttle range. The symptoms I was having was that it started making popping sounds out the exhaust and would feel like it was hesitating while maintaining a constant speed. It also was slightly "jerky" in that throttle range as well. So this week I pulled a plug and I was running rich. Then I tried to adjust my PMS screw to see how it would respond. The bike is not responding much to the changes. It still is running rough. I tried to adjust the screw while it idles, but its hard to adjust when the air box is not installed because I feel like it would change after I install it. Just to throw it out there, I did just get the bike serviced and the carbs cleaned up so dirty carb should be ruled out. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Justin we have a Lotta great carb gurus here I'm sure one of them will be able to help you out there

Thats wonderful. I took my bike to the shop for general maintenance and I got it back a month later. Not to talk shit on them, I realize they are busy as hell this time of the year. I could of done all the work myself in a day. So i'm pretty determined to fix this issue myself.

If this is something that is just beginning, I'd be looking at a possibility of fuel getting past the needle and seat. There is also a possibility .....unless you're the only one who has ever owned the bike, ......that somebody has jetted the carb for a different intake, and reinstalled the stock intake when they sold the bike to you.
Without knowing what's in the carb now jetting wise, it's difficult to tell just what the problem may be.

Is the air filter clean?
You might check the Tech articles section, re the enricher knob trim to make sure it's closing fully.
Make sure your idle is about 900 rpms, when the bike is hot after a ride. There won't be any potato potato sound.

If you are the only owner, it may also be an SVS issue starting. Start with the easy things first. When's the last time the plugs were changed?

Jdculp92 wrote:
Thats wonderful. I took my bike to the shop for general maintenance and I got it back a month later. Not to talk shit on them, I realize they are busy as hell this time of the year. I could of done all the work myself in a day. So i'm pretty determined to fix this issue myself.

I've always work on my own bike. Makes me feel better about completing it myself. Also the people on this site will always have an answer to help you! I've used their information a lot!

Yes, this started to happen in the middle of my 200 mile ride about 2 weeks ago. I checked my air filter and there is some dirt, but it does not look terrible. I also had my plugs changed a month ago and had my ignition looked at while it was at the shop a month ago. I did check my plugs yesterday and it does look like its running rich... I also trimmed my choke stop back so I can visually see that the choke is seated all the way... Now for the idle, I have no way to really tell if im around 900 rpms. I did go by the sound like you said, and I do not have the potato patato sound. I will order a new air filter any way to see if it makes a difference.

I wouldn't waste your money on a new filter.

Since it is something that is just starting after running decent, I'd lean towards replacing the needle and seat....... but

I think I'd also see what I could do about giving the bike a good dose of Seafoam(maybe even a whole 16 ounce can in a full tank of gas), and ride the bike hard, or, something like Yamaha's Ringfree, to see if that helps. It might well be the early stages of SVS.
Bang the rev limiter a few times each ride and see how it runs after that tank.
SVS is basically carbon buildup in the exhaust chambers, to the point where it starts restricting the ability of the valves to open and close properly. You can do a search here on the forum, and go back a few years in the searches, and read the various threads. Look for Curts cure, if you end up pulling the exhaust pipes to look in the exhaust chambers.

After adjusting my idle to around 900 RPMS, and adjusting my PMS to the best possible setting, the bike still has the same issue. I did not try the seafoam yet. I will purchase a bottle this week and run it through. I will also try the folded paper test for the SVS. I am skeptical on my bike having SVS because I would think that would have an affect on the full power band of my bike, not under 1/4 throttle. If the seafoam does not help, I will probably attempt to pull my carb. My goal with pulling it out will be to find what jets are installed, check my float level, check for damage on the jets. How long does it take to pull a carb out of a Roadie?

If it was running fine before, sounds like there is something blocking the pilot circuit. As suggested here, try the seafoam or marvel mystery oil and a fair dose of it and rev it up to limiter a few times. It may clear things up. Try not to ride with it in a gear that allows the engine to lug or chug along at a low rpm. I found since doing this having it rev up a little higher, my bike is running excellent. These suggestions have helped me out with svs and clearing up a gunky carb. Good luck with the problems.