Why does my bike hesitate or surge at steady throttle?

One of the most frustrating carburettor issues is when your bike won’t hold a steady speed. Instead of cruising smoothly, the engine surges, hesitates, or feels like it’s hunting for fuel. This is almost always down to mixture problems caused by dirty or partially blocked jets, incorrect float heights, or vacuum leaks around the intake system.

At small throttle openings, the pilot circuit is responsible for fuelling. If the pilot jets are clogged, the engine runs lean, causing hesitation and surging. Worn or hardened intake rubbers can also let extra air into the engine, upsetting the carefully balanced mixture. At mid-throttle, worn needle jets or incorrect needle positions can create the same problem.

Riders sometimes try to mask the issue with fuel additives or aftermarket jet kits, but unless the carburettors are cleaned and rebuilt correctly, the surging will always return. What’s needed is a full ultrasonic clean to clear every passage, followed by precise float and mixture screw adjustment to factory spec.

At The Carb Shack, we specialise in restoring carbs so they fuel consistently across the rev range. Every set is stripped down, ultrasonically cleaned, and rebuilt with new seals and jets where required. We also carry out bench synchronisation and vacuum testing so that once the carbs are fitted back onto the bike, throttle response is smooth and steady.

If your bike refuses to cruise smoothly and feels like it’s constantly surging or hesitating, it’s time to give the carbs the professional attention they need. Book a carburettor clean and rebuild with us and enjoy riding without the frustration.