Weather proofing
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Ottenheim, KY
Weather proofing
Me and my Deluxe got caught in a major downpour on Friday. I pulled off the road at a little store to wait it out. The rain was really heavy and the bike was sitting out in it. When I started the bike, it ran really rough for a couple of minutes. I let it idle until it got better. I rode on home in light rain and wasn't able to dry the bike off until the next day. When I tried to start it up, it would crank but not fire. I ran the diagnostic test and the bike said "No Rsp" from the ECM. I let the bike dry with a fan blowing on it. The bike started right up with no problems after the fan blew on it for a couple of hours.
My question is: What have you guys done to weather-proof your bike. I'm thinking of smearing grease around all wire couplings or perhaps using aviation wax to keep the water out. This is the second time water has caused me problems with the bike. The first time was with the ignition switch after I washed the bike. (The horn wouldn't blow and the turn signals didn't work). I sprayed the back of the ignition switch with Boeing aviation wax and have not had any problems in that area since.
I really want to be able to ride through the rain when necessary. Where are the major problem areas? Any ideas???
My question is: What have you guys done to weather-proof your bike. I'm thinking of smearing grease around all wire couplings or perhaps using aviation wax to keep the water out. This is the second time water has caused me problems with the bike. The first time was with the ignition switch after I washed the bike. (The horn wouldn't blow and the turn signals didn't work). I sprayed the back of the ignition switch with Boeing aviation wax and have not had any problems in that area since.
I really want to be able to ride through the rain when necessary. Where are the major problem areas? Any ideas???
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 0
From: Olympia. WA
RE: Weather proofing
Not an easy answer. I runoften in rain a lot being from NW Washington and it depends on your needs.
1. If you just get caught in the occasional rain storm, you should not need to do anything special. Check your dust boots around electrical connectors and make sure they are completely seated. Also, check to see thatconnectors are free of corrosion.
2. If you run wet a lot (I mean a lot), then it's a different game:
Note: I wrench my own bike. So, others may do things differently.
My Spec's:
- All connections are soldered and sealed with heat shrink tubing.
- All connectors have a coating of Silicone Grease.
- All Dust boots are sealed with Silicone RTV (Light coat around seams).
- Services are done about twice as often as called for in the manual.
1. If you just get caught in the occasional rain storm, you should not need to do anything special. Check your dust boots around electrical connectors and make sure they are completely seated. Also, check to see thatconnectors are free of corrosion.
2. If you run wet a lot (I mean a lot), then it's a different game:
Note: I wrench my own bike. So, others may do things differently.
My Spec's:
- All connections are soldered and sealed with heat shrink tubing.
- All connectors have a coating of Silicone Grease.
- All Dust boots are sealed with Silicone RTV (Light coat around seams).
- Services are done about twice as often as called for in the manual.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 1
From: King William, VA.
RE: Weather proofing
mine ran 16.5 hours in pouring rain to Daytona this year. I did something very different to mine. After I got there I wasged my bike. That was all that was needed.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Weather proofing
It really shouldn't need anything extra done to it. If there was, it would either say in the manual or there would be a big sticker on it saying "Should not be ridden during times of precipitation. Could cause serious injury or death."
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Ottenheim, KY
RE: Weather proofing
Here is an update: The bike started this morning without a hitch. The diag still reads "No Rsp" from the ECM. I rode a while then shut down. The bike would not start after that for several tries. I waited about 10 minutes and it started right up. This is getting very annoying!
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Ottenheim, KY
RE: Weather proofing
Ok. I got the "No Rsp" to go away. I was stupid and left the on/off switch to off during the diagnostic. I am getting a PN 32919-07 though. I think this means I have an oxygen sensor out.
