Thought it was fueling- turns out its electrical
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 6:51 pm
SO, i've been having a few very small runing issues with the bike. I'd be out for an hour or so and i'd notice that occasionally when i went for an overtake that the bike would hold back, like it was running on 3 and then suddenly kick back in and go like a scalded cat.
I assumed it was either HT leads breaking down when hot (its not- i replced them with new RO leads and its still doing it) or fuelling - I suspected float heights or a sticking needle slider but occasionally it would get worse and the bike would run rough for quite a while after the overtake or sprited bit of riding.
When it started doing it i also thought i'd be extra careful and turn my lights off (which i always ride with on), in case it was a charging issue. A little while after doing this, no sign of the problem.
Well, it did it it again today so I decided to try the horn to see if the battery was struggling. Lo and behold it let out the tiniest, wimpiest toot so I figured its a battery/charing problem.
Got home, got the reg/rec off (replaced last year with an R6 unit, new alternator windings etc) and 2 of the 3 yellow input connectors are showing signs of overheating - nothing really bad, the outer wiring just starting to be discoloured so there is obviously the begining of a build up of resistance.
I've replaced the connectors (which i need to solder but cant do until later in the week) but hopefully once done properly this should be the end of my issue?
Becuase it had only affected a couple of the connectors it would seem I was still getting enough charge for running with lights off, but that putting them on caused a slow drain of the batery whilst out riding. Hence the reason that the bike improved as I ran with the lights off.
Moral of the story, perceived fuelling issues may infact be electrical and easier to spot than stripping carbs down.
Maybe this will help someone having any similar symptoms.
I assumed it was either HT leads breaking down when hot (its not- i replced them with new RO leads and its still doing it) or fuelling - I suspected float heights or a sticking needle slider but occasionally it would get worse and the bike would run rough for quite a while after the overtake or sprited bit of riding.
When it started doing it i also thought i'd be extra careful and turn my lights off (which i always ride with on), in case it was a charging issue. A little while after doing this, no sign of the problem.
Well, it did it it again today so I decided to try the horn to see if the battery was struggling. Lo and behold it let out the tiniest, wimpiest toot so I figured its a battery/charing problem.
Got home, got the reg/rec off (replaced last year with an R6 unit, new alternator windings etc) and 2 of the 3 yellow input connectors are showing signs of overheating - nothing really bad, the outer wiring just starting to be discoloured so there is obviously the begining of a build up of resistance.
I've replaced the connectors (which i need to solder but cant do until later in the week) but hopefully once done properly this should be the end of my issue?
Becuase it had only affected a couple of the connectors it would seem I was still getting enough charge for running with lights off, but that putting them on caused a slow drain of the batery whilst out riding. Hence the reason that the bike improved as I ran with the lights off.
Moral of the story, perceived fuelling issues may infact be electrical and easier to spot than stripping carbs down.
Maybe this will help someone having any similar symptoms.