that man over there Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Three days ago (just after I registered her in fact,) I was riding home when the bike just cut out - nothing dramatic, just coasted to a stop. I was at the top of a hill, so after a minute of just turning the engine over, fiddling with the fuel tap, spark plug and kick stand rolled down the hill, where it bumped fine and off I went. Then, the next day, it all happened again - just died as I was riding. Again, no symptoms other than the engine wasn't running - all other electrics were fine. I meandered to a stop, and fiddled around again, and after turning the starter for what seemed an age - she suddenly fired into life, and off I went... for 300m at whcih point she died again. Fortunately, I was only half a mile away from home, so in fits & starts managed to get home, whereupon I put her in the garage, and took the car to work. Symptoms: Just dies while riding, on the level, uphill & downhill - all the same.Starter turns over, but she won't catchIf she does catch as soon as I blip the throttle she dies again.If I pull out the choke, she runs fast (as you'd expect) but runs. Carefully twisting the throttle is OK at this point.Once caught, the choke goes back in, and she's fine - until sudden death again.The fuel tank wasn't full, but according to my calculations was good for another 80 miles, which is 3-4 litres in the tank. Today, I borrowed a jerry can and filled the tank right up - taking 7 litres, which kind of confirms there was still plenty in at the time. I bought a brand new Iridium spark plug and fitted that. And last night, I put the battery on charge to be welcomed with a little green "charged" light this morning. Crossing my fingers, I went out for a local ride... and had bags of fun for an hour. So it's fixed. But any ideas what could have been the underlying cause? The spark plug? It was a bit grubby, but I've seen far worse. Low fuel? 3 litres sloshing around in the tank should still be fine shouldn't it? Any suggestions? Thanks.
Moderator Airhead Posted February 16, 2011 Moderator Posted February 16, 2011 Possiby a bblocked fuel tank vent? If it happens again loosen the filler cap and listen if air is sucked in (might be hard to tell though as it will be so quick) also with loosened filler...will it start quicker than it did last time? I am however NOT suggesting you should ride with it undone, just trying to determine where the problem may be
Moderator drewpy Posted February 16, 2011 Moderator Posted February 16, 2011 did it start missing/jerky or just wound down and maybe a little popping?
that man over there Posted February 17, 2011 Author Posted February 17, 2011 did it start missing/jerky or just wound down and maybe a little popping? When she started, it was slow to pick up but eventually caught, and the same when she died - just cut out, and wound down - rather gracefully actually...
Moderator drewpy Posted February 17, 2011 Moderator Posted February 17, 2011 When she started, it was slow to pick up but eventually caught, and the same when she died - just cut out, and wound down - rather gracefully actually... does sound like fuel starvation, mine does that when it has to go on reserve
Moderator Cynic Posted February 17, 2011 Moderator Posted February 17, 2011 Sounds like floaters to me, rubbish in the carb and the tank, sometimes it falls in the right spot to choke the fuel, other times it doesent.
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