Hey anyone who could help me I would appreciate it. I have a Yamaha 850 special. Whenever I start it I have to keep giving it gas or it will just die. It won't idle at all. I don't understand what the problem is. In the past I have got it to idle when it was really warmed up and I put the choke on all the way but it stayed at about 2000 rpms so this has been a problem since I got it. I don't know if it has to do with the idlespeed that it is set at or what but now it wont even idle. I just changed the spark plugs and the battery and the gas is good. And also, I don't know if anyone knows anything about my specific bike but it has two knobs to adjust to the primary fuel or reserve, one on each side. What is the purpose of that? Any advice?

How many carbs does it have? If you have more than one it sounds like you need to have them sinked up. You can also check if the carb has adjustments for fuel and idle. It could be that the carbs are not getting enough fuel in the the flot bowl.

I don't know how many carbs it has. I think I will check it out tommorrow. Im just not sure how to adjust it really. Bike definitely needs a little bit of work but i did ride it regularly.

for $18 this manual might be the best investment in your bike you can make.

http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/ProductDetails_34424.ncm

might help you trouble shoot your problem.

First thing I do after I buy any vehicle is get the repair manual. Saves you a ton of money and helps you learn about the bike. Good link xaxer!

Hey thanks guys I appreciate it. I bought the book. Don't know how long it will take to get here. I got my bike running fine. I got it to where it was idling at about 1000 rpms. Just about right I think. What I did was changed all the hoses from the gas tank. That was the problem. But anyways does anyone know anything about the two adjusters for the gas tank reserve or primary? Now what it is doing is one of the wires to the alternator melted cause some how it grounded or something. Now I have to get that fixed. yay.

Sounds like your going to be an expert shade tree mechanic by the time your done fixing everything. j/k Good luck

lol. you are probably right. Ive got the whole thing already stripped down inside my buddys garage. Im glad this happened in December.