Bike dies randomly
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Bike dies randomly
Yesterday I was on my way to pay a fine and after I had been on the highway for maybe 5 mins my bike would start cutting out until it would just die completely. Working the throttle kept it going for a bit but it would die eventually. So I pulled off on shoulder of the highway and sat for min trying to think about what it might be. After a min I decided to give it a kick and it fired right up and off I went! I'd get back up to speed and moving right along and then it would happen again and kept happening. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Yesterday I was on my way to pay a fine and after I had been on the highway for maybe 5 mins my bike would start cutting out until it would just die completely. Working the throttle kept it going for a bit but it would die eventually. So I pulled off on shoulder of the highway and sat for min trying to think about what it might be. After a min I decided to give it a kick and it fired right up and off I went! I'd get back up to speed and moving right along and then it would happen again and kept happening. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?
One of the terminals may have broken (from normal vibration) and be laying loose against the screw.
I had that happen one time. it would run a block and die. Then crank right up and run a block and die.
That is just the first thing to check.
After the voltage regulator has been looked at and all is OK, start looking at each wire connection in your ignition system.
The fact that the machine cranks right back up makes me think it is a broken wire connection somewhere that is now only making intermittent contact.
pg
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 127
From: Iowa
I had a similar issue -- I could accelerate fine but after I got up to speed my bike would start missing badly, lose power, etc. A good twist of the throttle to use the accelerator pump would get me back up to speed, but the cycle would repeat.
My problem turned out to be fuel starvation caused by a small piece of yellow grit in the carb float bowl that would plug things up and cause problems.
My problem turned out to be fuel starvation caused by a small piece of yellow grit in the carb float bowl that would plug things up and cause problems.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Athens, GA
As others have said, sounds like fuel starvation. Check for tank venting, crap in the carb or a plugged fuel filter. I don't like external filters, but rather depend on the tank petcock screen. I think the off time gives the float bowl time to refill and then it starves out after a little run time, at higher fuel flow requirements.
Could be electrical components, failing with temperature. Go for the fuel and PGs wiring suggestions first, as they are easier to troubleshoot and more likely to be the cause, IMO.
Could be electrical components, failing with temperature. Go for the fuel and PGs wiring suggestions first, as they are easier to troubleshoot and more likely to be the cause, IMO.
Last edited by GA Ironhead; Feb 21, 2010 at 08:01 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Hell yeah fixed it! Funny, (now that its running again anyway) ALL of you where right! Get this, had grit & some sort of slime in the carb (I replaced the fuel filter also) + had a short in the wiring to my ignition switch, loose ground wire for my tail light, front part of my keyed ignition switch was GONE completely! Anyway bike is running WAY better! Thanks for the help yall!
Thinking now about replacing black fuel hose with some of that smaller diameter clear tubing and drilling a hole either into gas cap or top front of tank with a hose comming out hooked to a one way valve for a vent to tank for better fuel flow. This a stupid idea?
Thinking now about replacing black fuel hose with some of that smaller diameter clear tubing and drilling a hole either into gas cap or top front of tank with a hose comming out hooked to a one way valve for a vent to tank for better fuel flow. This a stupid idea?
The vented gas caps are designed to allow air to get into the fuel tank, but to not get out. The design works well on old original caps, but on the new ones the "air not get out" part works too well.
The heat from the engine heats up the fuel tank building up pressure, which results in pressure in the float bowl and pressure on the fuel valve, and the carb leaks when you park it. If the pressure is not relieved the carb float system gets wrecked.
The usual solution to this is to drill a very small hole in the blue plastic part in the middle of the fuel tank cap; then do not fill the tank all the way.
The same hole should work as an alternative to your suggestion - which sounds interesting.
The clear tubing that i have seen is not rated for gasoline, and turns an ugly yellow after a while.
The heat from the engine heats up the fuel tank building up pressure, which results in pressure in the float bowl and pressure on the fuel valve, and the carb leaks when you park it. If the pressure is not relieved the carb float system gets wrecked.
The usual solution to this is to drill a very small hole in the blue plastic part in the middle of the fuel tank cap; then do not fill the tank all the way.
The same hole should work as an alternative to your suggestion - which sounds interesting.
The clear tubing that i have seen is not rated for gasoline, and turns an ugly yellow after a while.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Hell yeah fixed it! Funny, (now that its running again anyway) ALL of you where right! Get this, had grit & some sort of slime in the carb (I replaced the fuel filter also) + had a short in the wiring to my ignition switch, loose ground wire for my tail light, front part of my keyed ignition switch was GONE completely! Anyway bike is running WAY better! Thanks for the help yall!
Thinking now about replacing black fuel hose with some of that smaller diameter clear tubing and drilling a hole either into gas cap or top front of tank with a hose comming out hooked to a one way valve for a vent to tank for better fuel flow. This a stupid idea?
Thinking now about replacing black fuel hose with some of that smaller diameter clear tubing and drilling a hole either into gas cap or top front of tank with a hose comming out hooked to a one way valve for a vent to tank for better fuel flow. This a stupid idea?
The fuel flow will be just fine leaving things as they are. A lack of venting was not your problem.
pg
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