2000 M750 - Running Issues - Help, Please!

[Javamoose]

There were two nipples, one on each manifold foe the evap. canister.  They are either capped or replaced with 5 mm screws.

Two per runner?  Evap canister is still in place.  Nipple on left side (as sitting on bike) went to vac petcock, is now capped.  Nipple on right side goes to fuel pump.

[Howie]

 I don't remember the locations , but a nipple for the pump, a nipple for the fuel  shut off and one on each runner for the canister.

If the canister is still in place each hose goes to a nipple.  Just follow them.  You might even find the canister is part of your problem.

Here is a tutorial:
http://www.ducatisuite.com/carbsynch.html

[MaaloX]

There were two nipples, one on each manifold foe the evap. canister.  They are either capped or replaced with 5 mm screws.

LOL Bro I feel your pain, I really do Im in that boat right now.

[COP TZR]

sounds like a love hate relationship with these bikes.  I too have a 2000 M750.  Fortunately I havent had any running issues (fingers crossed) but I have run into issues that I was able to sort out with all the helpful members and info on this forum.

Patience and persistence and you will prevail!  Dont give up.

[Javamoose]

So, last weekend I couldn't even touch the bike I was so pissed off at it.  Was looking at it today, it won't even idle on it's own.  Pulled the plugs, just to look and replace them with new plugs...this is what I found:





Soaked.  Back before I took the bike off the road, the plugs always looked a little white-ish and dry.  Going off "the chart" (http://www.verrill.com/moto/sellingguide/sparkplugs/plugcolorchart.htm) - this would be oil fouled? This bike has never (still doesn't) blow any smoke at all when it is running, so I'm assuming I'm not burning oil...

I don't get it, bike used to run fine except when a big chunk of Kreeme would flake and clog the filter.  Now that the tank is fixed and it has a fresh filter and lines - nothing but crap.  

[MongoReturns]

Hi, these problems are such a pain!  But don't lose hope, it's a great bike.

Have you replaced or rebuilt the fuel pump?  Mine crapped out last year, finally.  It had a great 10-year run.  My thinking is the thing's vaccuum-operated, so maybe when you're idling it's sucking, but higher RPM's fine.

Either that or time to take apart the carbs.  Yep, that's a PIA.  Oh first hose a bunch of carb cleaner down the throttle tubes, can't hurt.

[Javamoose]

Hi, these problems are such a pain!  But don't lose hope, it's a great bike.

Have you replaced or rebuilt the fuel pump?  Mine crapped out last year, finally.  It had a great 10-year run.  My thinking is the thing's vaccuum-operated, so maybe when you're idling it's sucking, but higher RPM's fine.

Either that or time to take apart the carbs.  Yep, that's a PIA.  Oh first hose a bunch of carb cleaner down the throttle tubes, can't hurt.

I haven't re-built the pump.  I do have a rebuild kit sitting on my desk, though I was hoping I wasn't going to need to do it.  Guess I might as well, give me one more thing to cross off the list.

Can't take off the carbs, I'm not supposed to be working on my bike at my apartment.  As it is, six people have complained to the resident manager about me fiddling with the bike (in my own damn parking spot, wtf).  I'm friends with the RM, otherwise I would have been fined. 

I do have a can of seafoam, or do you mean the spray cans of carb cleaner?  Just blast it down the throttle bodies then start it or spray it down while it is running?

Local duc dealer quoted me $650 in labor (!!!) to replace belts and tune carbs.  Way out of my budget.  I need new tires IF I can get this pos working again, so I am basically tapped out.  I'm just frustrated and about this close to putting it up on craigslist and selling it for whatever I can get out of it.  Don't want to do that, I do love to ride this bike, but I am reaching my limit for bullshit...

[Howie]

The plugs look oil fouled in your photo, but to be sure, smell them and make sure it is not gas.  If they are oil fouled, unless it happened quickly, replace the plugs and carry a set of extras.  Also make sure the breather functions properly.  There should be some positive pressure in the crankcase and the air box should be relatively free of oil.

If the fuel pump kit is a Winderosa DO NOT USE IT.  The diaphragm will eventually rip.  When this happens you vertical cylinder will load up with gasoline.

[MongoReturns]

I haven't re-built the pump.  I do have a rebuild kit sitting on my desk, though I was hoping I wasn't going to need to do it.  Guess I might as well, give me one more thing to cross off the list.

Can't take off the carbs, I'm not supposed to be working on my bike at my apartment.  As it is, six people have complained to the resident manager about me fiddling with the bike (in my own damn parking spot, wtf).  I'm friends with the RM, otherwise I would have been fined. 

I do have a can of seafoam, or do you mean the spray cans of carb cleaner?  Just blast it down the throttle bodies then start it or spray it down while it is running?

Local duc dealer quoted me $650 in labor (!!!) to replace belts and tune carbs.  Way out of my budget.  I need new tires IF I can get this pos working again, so I am basically tapped out.  I'm just frustrated and about this close to putting it up on craigslist and selling it for whatever I can get out of it.  Don't want to do that, I do love to ride this bike, but I am reaching my limit for bullshit...

Holy crap I thought I was the last 750 without a rebuilt or new pump!  Pretty sure ethanol is killing them.  Anyway like Howie says use a Mikuni kit or get Chris Kelley's replacement pump.  I don't know anything about Seafoam, I used stuff called "Throttle Body Cleaner" from Valvoline an auto repair shop gave me, when mine wouldn't start a few months ago.  Blamo!!, started right up.  Active ingredients appear to be Xylene, methyl alcohol, and acetone.  McNasty.  Spray before you start, let sit for a few minutes, give it another shot, then start.  Don't think it's a good idea to spray while it's running.

Sucks re your apt., working on the bikes & safe storage is my priority #1 when looking for places.

[Javamoose]

The plugs look oil fouled in your photo, but to be sure, smell them and make sure it is not gas.  If they are oil fouled, unless it happened quickly, replace the plugs and carry a set of extras.  Also make sure the breather functions properly.  There should be some positive pressure in the crankcase and the air box should be relatively free of oil.

If the fuel pump kit is a Winderosa DO NOT USE IT.  The diaphragm will eventually rip.  When this happens you vertical cylinder will load up with gasoline.

Plugs smell of gas and oil.  Plugs were always white-ish/brown when it was running, bike sat for a year and stopped getting started once a week about 8 months ago (batt. died).  When I started working on it last week to get it back on the road, I didn't check the plugs...so not sure how or when they got this bad.  It's been run all of three times, total of maybe 30 minutes, in the past few weeks.

How do I make sure the breather works?  There is a little bit of oil in the airbox.  Hose running to the airbox from the breather system is a little rough, some cracks where it is clamped onto the barb fitting...but doesn't appear to be holes.

All vac line have been traced and all look great.  No cracks, no holes, all are connected.

I bought the Mikuni kit.  Of course, though, the set of metric hex head wrenches I have are long t-handle ones.  I gotta go buy a set of L-wrenches to get that fuel pump off.

Holy crap I thought I was the last 750 without a rebuilt or new pump!  Pretty sure ethanol is killing them.  Anyway like Howie says use a Mikuni kit or get Chris Kelley's replacement pump.  I don't know anything about Seafoam, I used stuff called "Throttle Body Cleaner" from Valvoline an auto repair shop gave me, when mine wouldn't start a few months ago.  Blamo!!, started right up.  Active ingredients appear to be Xylene, methyl alcohol, and acetone.  McNasty.  Spray before you start, let sit for a few minutes, give it another shot, then start.  Don't think it's a good idea to spray while it's running.

Sucks re your apt., working on the bikes & safe storage is my priority #1 when looking for places.

I'll try hitting it with carb cleaner tomorrow, see if that helps.

Off topic:
It's a fantastic apartment with a great view.  Bike is secure.  Only downside to the place (as with all high rises) - no working on vehicles.

Typical morning, view from my lanai:

[Howie]

Like I said some, positive crankcase pressure  No spec that I know of, a little like knowing when your steak is done without using a thermometer or cutting it.  Oil film in the airbox is not a worry.  Puddles are.  Chances are real good your fouled plugs are a result of...well... truing to start a bike after long storage.  Ducs need really good plugs.

[MongoReturns]

I have an excellent view of my neighbors; nope, no hot chicks either.  Yep, your plugs look like crap - do you keep the oil at the bottom of the lower tick mark?  Being cheap as dirt, I'd hit those with some fine-grit sandpaper.

Getting the fuel pump off kinda sucks - when you put it back together, make sure the two halfs are aligned right - I was off by a side, and wondered why it didn't fit back in the bike.

Good luck with the cleaner - if not the pump, my money's on a gummied carb.

[Javamoose]

Like I said some, positive crankcase pressure  No spec that I know of, a little like knowing when your steak is done without using a thermometer or cutting it.  Oil film in the airbox is not a worry.  Puddles are.  Chances are real good your fouled plugs are a result of...well... truing to start a bike after long storage.  Ducs need really good plugs.

No puddles, so, that's good.    I went with the same Champion plugs that were in there...for the new ones I put in.

I have an excellent view of my neighbors; nope, no hot chicks either.  Yep, your plugs look like crap - do you keep the oil at the bottom of the lower tick mark?  Being cheap as dirt, I'd hit those with some fine-grit sandpaper.

Getting the fuel pump off kinda sucks - when you put it back together, make sure the two halfs are aligned right - I was off by a side, and wondered why it didn't fit back in the bike.

Good luck with the cleaner - if not the pump, my money's on a gummied carb.

Bought some cleaner, going to try it tomorrow.  Funny, on the can, in bold, it says "DO NOT SPRAY DOWN CARB THROAT WITH ENGINE OFF".  But, you're not the only one on this forum that says to spray, sit/soak, spray and start.  So, that's what I'll do. 

Thanks for the tip on the pump, going to pull that and do the re-build just for peace of mind...