Thought it was fueling- turns out its electrical

[jetblack]

SO, i've been having a few very small runing issues with the bike. I'd be out for an hour or so and i'd notice that occasionally when i went for an overtake that the bike would hold back, like it was running on 3 and then suddenly kick back in and go like a scalded cat.

I assumed it was either HT leads breaking down when hot (its not- i replced them with new RO leads and its still doing it) or fuelling - I suspected float heights or a sticking needle slider but occasionally it would get worse and the bike would run rough for quite a while after the overtake or sprited bit of riding.

When it started doing it i also thought i'd be extra careful and turn my lights off (which i always ride with on), in case it was a charging issue. A little while after doing this, no sign of the problem.

Well, it did it it again today so I decided to try the horn to see if the battery was struggling. Lo and behold it let out the tiniest, wimpiest toot so I figured its a battery/charing problem.

Got home, got the reg/rec off (replaced last year with an R6 unit, new alternator windings etc) and 2 of the 3 yellow input connectors are showing signs of overheating - nothing really bad, the outer wiring just starting to be discoloured so there is obviously the begining of a build up of resistance.

I've replaced the connectors (which i need to solder but cant do until later in the week) but hopefully once done properly this should be the end of my issue?

Becuase it had only affected a couple of the connectors it would seem I was still getting enough charge for running with lights off, but that putting them on caused a slow drain of the batery whilst out riding. Hence the reason that the bike improved as I ran with the lights off.

Moral of the story, perceived fuelling issues may infact be electrical and easier to spot than stripping carbs down.

Maybe this will help someone having any similar symptoms.

[bikemonkey]

Did you test your charging system? Or just look at the slightly burnt connectors and replace them?

[alexandervf]

Moral of the story, perceived fuelling issues may infact be electrical

Couldn't agree more, in fact , healthy electrics on your bike means healthy engine and even more km's out of a 15litre tank.

After having ALL my electrics completely restored i get 290km's out of my 15litre tank. Before the restoration 290kms was more like a dream for me.

[speedy231278]

290??? Bloody hell! I start crapping myself when I've gone past about 230! lol Maybe my right hand is a little too heavy...

[alexandervf]

290??? Bloody hell! I start crapping myself when I've gone past about 230! lol Maybe my right hand is a little too heavy...

I could not believe my eyes too, yes, 290km's (today i measured again) i have also added ngk iridium spark plugs.

[jetblack]

Did you test your charging system? Or just look at the slightly burnt connectors and replace them?

the only test I did was to see what it was putting out at 5000 rpm and its around 14.3 v. When my original reg failed last year it was pumping out about 18.

I'm going to solder up the connections later this week and then recheck the voltage with the lights on. Not sure what effect the r6 reg has on output voltage compared to the OEM unit.

[hawk2993]

290?!?!?! or even 230?!?!?!?!?!

I only get 150-160km!!! (yes the bike's fine). I envy you people .....

[Adderboy]

I get 160 only one premier fuel from texaco, everything else is about 140, how the hell can i get 230 from it??

[speedy231278]

Do you guys have the thing pinned to the stop everywhere? I get annoyed if I run onto reserve at 175! lol I used to get 190 regular as clockwork, usually a bit less now I've got 119000kms on the clock. Most I have ever seen was a little over 260 after lots of m-way miles, and I was shitting bricks waiting for the next services to appear!!

[hawk2993]

Do you guys have the thing pinned to the stop everywhere? I get annoyed if I run onto reserve at 175! lol I used to get 190 regular as clockwork, usually a bit less now I've got 119000kms on the clock. Most I have ever seen was a little over 260 after lots of m-way miles, and I was shitting bricks waiting for the next services to appear!!

man, if I could get even 190 out of my bike, I wouldn't have to worry about running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere (already happened, had to push my bike 10kms to the nearest service! That, I can assure you, was not fun). What RPM are you usually at? I would like to unlock your secrets!