Newbie With A Bros 400

[Sammo]

Evening Everyone,

I have just accepted a new job managing a workshop which means I wont have a company car anymore.  After having a bit of a think I decided we couldnt justify having another car so a couple of days ago I had a bit of a search around for a commuter bike.  After looking at GS500's and Bandit 600's I finally settled on a Bros 400.  Cheap to buy, supposedly very reliable and very cheap to insure!

I managed to find a 1989 Bros 400 at the other end of the country and after speaking with the owner I made a cheeky offer which he eventually accepted (assisted by his Wife telling him just to sell the bloody bike).  I arranged for a courier to collect it and yesterday evening the Bros arrived.  Its been reasonably well looked after with a few scratches down both sides and a dent in the side of the tank but as its to be used for commuting I'm not fussed.

Today I had a day off so thought I would take it for a quick spin around the block to see what it goes like.  Annoyingly I could get it to idle with the choke on but any attempt to rev it (even with the choke off once it was warm) resulted in the bike spluttering and then dying.  I had a quick glance in the tank and there is a small amount fuel in there although I dont know how old it is.  If anyone has any suggestions of what I need to look at it would be greatly appreciated as I have until the start of Jan to get it sorted but only 1 day off a week to actually do anything.

Here is a quick pic from the advert:



Cheers

Sammo

[De Graaf van Salland]

Hi Sammo,

Welcome to this forum

Bit of a brave thing to do.... buying a bike from a photo. Must have been very cheap.

For starters:
I suggest that you remove the old petrol from the tank & get some fresh stuff.
Also check fuel filters & (if possible) the float chambers of the carbs.
Also check if the spark plugs give a good spark.

GvS

[De Graaf van Salland]

PS
just in case this doesn't work, you could always buy RJ's bike or mine.

[slug]

hi sammo..welcome.. like the snowman avatar very topical..
agree with de graffs advice. would be stale fuel problem,
bike may have been stood for a while.. try half a tank of fresh
fuel with maybe a dash of redex in..try and clean system through..
if that does not work may have to strip carbs down and give them a clean
plenty advice on here,try the easy things first..filter ,plugs..
may sound silly did you have fuel tap in res position with tank fuel
being very low.. tap facing fully down.. have brought bikes before just
by photo, can get some real bargins,, welcome again.. :)worth getting workshop manual.

[Sammo]

Thanks for the welcomes

Well me being a bit of a div I didnt think to check the fuel tap before starting it. The fuel tap was off hehe! I switched it to on and the bike fired into life and runs spot on

[deedee]

Hi Sammo & welcome to the forum.

Dec 13, 2013 7:12:16 GMT 1 slug said:

worth getting workshop manual.

Just been on Halfords website... Try here:-
(Don't know your location, but worth a try.)

www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_164195_langId_-1_categoryId_165652

All credit to RJ, who posted original thread!
ntvhonda.proboards.com/thread/3900/haynes-ntv-manual-halfords-lasting

[Sammo]

Thanks for that. Just reserved one at my local Halfords. I'm gonna pop down in a minute and collect it.

[slug]

well done sammo, always worth checking the simple first.
still worth a shot of redex in fuel to clean through the carbs..
glad your sorted martin