I didn't ride my bike for a week or more and when I went to ride it yesterday it started and idled funny. I noticed that the rear cylinder was not firing. I let the engine cool and removed the spark plug from the problem cylinder. It seemed like the plug was fouled so I cleaned it up and put it back in. Started up and ran great through my hour ride. Today I thought if one plug was fouled the other may be close so I removed both and clean them. Upon putting them back in and starting the bike I had the funny idle, backfire, and no power. Both cylinder are firing this time but still having the problems I mentioned? Any ideas? Should I try new plugs?

 

did you check the coil wire? mine came off the other day and sounds like the problem your having, just a thought

 

With a 2002, unless they have been replaced, I'd check the resistance of the plug wires. Even if fairly new, since you're experiencing a problem, I'd check their resistance anyway. Also check that the coil terminals are clean and free of corrosion. Excessive use of the enrichener tends to foul the rear plug. Use as little enrichener as you can to avoid plug fouling. The 2002 had the vacuum petcock, and if that has a slight leak it will deliver raw gas to the intake manifold, which can also foul plugs. New plugs would be a good idea, but if they foul again, then you'll need to find the reason they're fouling. Wrong jetting, float level too high, excessive use of enrichener, leaking vacuum petcock diaphram and exhaust reversion are some of the common causes of plug fouling. Also, numerous short trips or continuous low rpm running can foul plugs. A weak ignition system can also contribute to plug fouling.

 

Cya.

 

Wouldn't hurt to put some new plugs and wires on it. That should be done every so often just as a part of preventive maintenance. The frequency of when to do it has a lot to do with whether you park the bike outside or inside, etc..

 

+1 for as little as $1.50 ea at your local auto parts store for Champion RA8HC's why even bother cleaning your plugs.

If in doubt, throw them out.

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