[Mossyman]

I took my ‘88 350D hunting this evening...didn’t have any problems. When I got done I cranked it up and immediately knew something was up. It almost acted like it was trying to flood out...I’d give it gas and there barely enough power to get it going.

I would press the throttle, it would lunge forward, and then bog down in almost a jerking motion. It kept repeating this motion for the 300 yard ride home. Just as I pulled up to the shed it quit. I tried to start it again with the electric start and it wouldn’t start. I attempted to use the kick start and it wouldn’t budge.

I checked the oil and it was full. I’ve had this bike for 2 years and I have noticed there was a slight ticking noise at idle but it didn’t affect how it ran. I’ll wait until after hunting season to tear it apart but I’m expecting it’s not going to be good.

 

[mrbb]

maybe its as simple as bad fuel?
sounds like you don;t use it that often, so, never know, , some times the simple things get us first!

if not, I am sure we can offer a list of things to rule out and check if you need us to?

 

[retro]

Check the cam chain... it might have jumped over the top sprocket a tooth putting the camshaft out of time with the crank.

 

[LedFTed]

its not done till the plus size person, sings at the opera. perhaps transgender. i.e. it aint done till its done.

 

[alloutdoors]

When it start "acting-up" and died was it smoking or knocking or doing something to suggest terminal? I agree with the above post, timing (along with spark plug), fuel, air filter (mouse trap there during winter time, LOL). Point is, I would begin with all the simple stuff first before jumping in too deep....

 

[Goober]

Spark plug and clutch adjustment two of the easiest to check

 

[Mossyman]

Spark plug and clutch adjustment two of the easiest to check

Would one of these cause the motor to lock up? It will still roll when put into neutral.

 

[mrbb]

no they shouldn;t
and are you sure the motor is locked up?
have you tried pulling the spark plug and seeing if it turns over that way
these 4 strokes can be a handful to try to turn over manually!
compression is pretty high

I again would start with simple things here before thinking the worse
do you have an hour meter on this machine and or how many miles on it??
most o these motors last a LONG time with basic care
and many time sits simple things that make them act up

the age alone of this, makes me think fuel is part of issue, as over the yrs crap gets into a tank just nature of the beast and modern ethanol fuel is known to be crappy and go bad FAST!
but also, things can be motor related if a lot of hours or miles on it, and or not cared for well as it is a 30 yr old machine here
but most all things can be fixed, and if rest of machine is good, there worth saving to most folks!

 

[retro]

Would one of these cause the motor to lock up? It will still roll when put into neutral.

The cam chain probably wore out and jumped time as I suggested above. If it jumped two teeth the piston will hit an open valve... bending the valve and locking up the motor. You mentioned that the motor has been ticking for a while (loose cam chain slap?) so that chain is the 1st thing to check. You'll need a copy of the service manual to work on it. Keep us posted if you can...

 

[Mossyman]

Quick update...pulled the spark plug the other day and it’s broken off on the end. I’ll wait for a warmer day to pull it apart and get a parts list of what I’ll need

 

[Jeepwm69]

Yikes. Keep us updated.