Motorcycle Repair: 1980 Honda 400T, mason jar, water in the fuel

Question
 Chris I have a 1980 honda 400t and it runs fine for about 10 to 15 minutes and then it just shuts off it will restart but keeps shuting down.

Answer
Hi Jim.
 You could have water in the fuel, dirty carbs that need a proper and complete cleaning, or a short in the ignition system either in the wiring or a bad connection.

If the bike spends time in seasonal storage with fuel in the system, then the carbs will need to be properly cleaned if this has not been done within the last 2 years (minimum).  You could also have water in the fuel.  Drain the floats into a clean, dry mason jar and look for what looks like bubbles on the bottom.  That would be water.  Do the same from the tank as well.

The repair manual has a wiring diagram for you to follow for the ignition system.  Check each wire in the ignition system as well as the fuses, fuse connections and and all other connections in the ignition system for corrosion or looseness and dirt.  Also check the ignition coils to make sure they are still good.  Instructions to bench test (along with tolerance specs) are also in the repair manual.

Good luck.
FALCON