It sounds like you are really close to identifying the exact trouble spot. Although the wire may be bad where it enters the VOES, it is more likely somewhere else. I suggest that before you replace your VOES, you check your spade connections a little closer, the problem may be at the connectors, especially if they were crimped on. If the wires are long enough you could just replace the connectors. You can temporarily test it by taking the connectors out and twisting the wires together etc. I had one that gave me trouble and just bending the wire a little held it secure enough to eliminate the trouble. The stranded wire can some times loosen up (or break) where they are crimped, especially if the wire moves around a lot because of vibration. Rather than just wiggle the entire wire, try holding it with two hands a couple inches apart to wiggle a shorter section to check the sections near the connectors. and where it fastens to the engine etc.



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I'm sorta laughing here - not at you fastjoe, just in general and at myself cause I'm the same way with certain things at times... anyway, after reading back thru your posts...

I get the feeling you don't want to pull the tank(s) and I hate to tell you, but you're going to have to, unless you want to be frustrated beyond sanity before this operation is completed. Regardless of whether you're determined to replace it or take many guys advice and properly diagnose it, the tanks gotta come off. When you get that far, it's easy to check what you have and repair if possible. Replacement is going to be another can of worms though. (getting the spring lock off)

And again, not making light of you but remember something most guys will agree upon - the dread is always the worst part.

Good luck with your deal.....

 

Nah, pulling the tank wasn't really what I was dreading. I've done that a few times already, and it's pretty easy. It was more that the VOES is hard to get too, and it looks like it will still be even with the tank off, unless I take loose the whole bracket that goes between the heads. The one that the stabilizer link bolts too. The bracket the VOES is on is bolted to that bracket, and the bolt for the stabilizer link goes through both brackets. A lovely design, thanks Harley.

I ended up checking the wiring some more Friday night as someone else suggested. I really didn't find a definate bad spot, but I did replace the spade connectors in the ground wire. I rode the bike some yesterday and today, and so far so good. It is running smooth at all speeds, and maintaining a steady idle. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, since it has been an intermitant problem from the begining.

Thanks to everyone that responded to the thread and offered advice. If the problem comes back, I'm going to go ahead and pull the tank or whatever I have to do to get to the vacuum port on the VOES so I can check it with a vacuum pump. That way I will know just how many inches of vacuum it is taking to operate it. But, for now I think I'm going to go ride somemore.

 

Glad to see you found the problem. Cyber troubleshooting can be a chore sometimes.