Few problems, what could be wrong? NC30 '89

[laurence_13]

Just had my first accidental ride out in the rain - and a few problems arose -

Firstly when riding up a hill, the bike started bogging down, to the point i had to crawl up the hill at 10 miles an hour in first - I got to the top switched over to reserve, and it still wasn't running right - there was noticeable power drop for the next 5/10 miles then it picked up and started running normally... any ideas what that could've been?

Secondly - My Left hand indicator now has a 5 second delay when you turn it on, if you cancel it then immediately put it back on, it's about 3 seconds, and if you repeat, 1 second and repeat it's back to normal... is that just water in the electrics or is something going wrong there? The right hand indicator is completely normal?

Thirdly - On tickover, one of the front cylinders is missing... and you can hear what is possible an exhaust blowing - I want to say a ticking noise, but that makes it sound metallic, it definately isn't a metallic ticking... which I guess is escaping air - would that have anything to do with powerloss? The noise is noticeable under acceleration, and on tickover when you put your head down next to the bike, however when decelerating it's not noticeable... as far as I'm aware.

One other thing to mention is on the ride home - the temprature wasn't registered on the clocks (I'm using a Trailtech Vapor digital dash) and they turn on at 38 degrees... once the rain had stopped, about 10 minutes later, the temprature registered and climbed to it's normal 80-90 degrees, which brings me to the normal running temprature of an NC30, what is a normal running temprature, should I be worried with the readings I'm getting, bit of a noob with these bikes.

Thanks in advance, Laurence

[magg]

1,2 and 4 sound like electrical issues due to rain and 3 a leaking exhaust gasket at a header.

80-90 degrees is about normal for engine temperature,90 went running hard or slow and 80 when cruising. With the power loss did the engine run rough?

[Cammo]

Indicator delay is a common problem on nc30's due to grease and dirt buildup.

You'll need to take the switch apart (2 screws underneath, more inside) and clean all parts with a electrical contact spray and a rag. It should work well when done, but the contacts do wear and they don't seem to last forever.

[laurence_13]

Thanks for the help - I'm just about to go out to the garage and have a look before work... The switchgear not lasting long - what would be a good replacement? Is it a better route to go down switchgear from another bike or is there some aftermarket ones that will fit?

[Cammo]

I don't think there are any options that are plug and play (even rvf switchgear needs rewiring though it is more robust).

Clean it up and see how it goes, it might last a long time.

[magg]

As Cammo said, a good clean & lube can do wonders for the switch gear. Does the engine make good power when the weather is fine? Same apply to the temperature gauge?

[VFRkieran]

I wouldnt bet against the vacuume hose being shot and causing the power loss, and as for the ticking could be your valve clearances but its probably a leaking exhaust gasket like magg said. Running temp on my bike is a fraction under 90 degrees when riding hard. (with a set of geoffs rads)

[laurence_13]

well - Problems all sorted, Indicators working fine, powers back to normal and it was the exhaust blowing - which is also sorted... Could water have got somewhere it shouldn't have to cause powerloss?

VFRkieran - Geoffs rads? I need a new set of rads for mine as mine are pretty battered - how much did they set you back and are they still available.

Everyone - Thanks for the help! Makes everything so much easier when you know where to start looking :)

[VFRkieran]

well - Problems all sorted, Indicators working fine, powers back to normal and it was the exhaust blowing - which is also sorted... Could water have got somewhere it shouldn't have to cause powerloss?

VFRkieran - Geoffs rads? I need a new set of rads for mine as mine are pretty battered - how much did they set you back and are they still available.

Everyone - Thanks for the help! Makes everything so much easier when you know where to start looking :)

Well i swapped an RLR lower radiator with a diffrent member for them so i dont know if geoff has any left, have a look in the FS section im sure he will get another batch in. Under 200 (i think) for the upper and lower and worth the money IMO.

[magg]

You could use a spray bottle of water to wet the front of the engine, particularly in the direction of the spark plugs to simulate weat weather riding. Maybe water splash from the road is wetting the front plugs/ignition leads causing the power loss.

Water in the electrical connections around the dash might explain the temperature gauge issue.