| Author | Message | ||
     Nedwreck |
My bike has been on a trailer. Last saturday for a flat and today because it would not start after I washed it. It acted funny after the last time I washed it. It ran on one cylinder and eventually started running right but this time, not a sausage. Is it going to leave me on the side of the road the next time I get caught out in the rain on it? Do I need to wash it very carefully with Handi Wipes from now on? I'm very careful rinsing the bike off. Where are the spots on an XB one should never aim a hosepipe? Bob | ||
| Barkandbite |
I wash mine weekly and squirt her down with enough water to fill a small pool. Have for the last 1.5 years. 'course I also use my compressor to blow all the excess out of where ever it lands... Does it crank over when you try to start it and just not catch? Chris | ||
| Nedwreck |
It doesn't make a peep. Like it's not getting fire. Starter spins it just fine. Lots of gas fumes, too. Oh, well. I'm sure they'll sort it tomorrow. Bob | ||
| Barkandbite |
Sounds like either the plug wires are shorting (check for cracks) or the coils are? If you've got cracks in the boots perhaps the water is getting in and causing the problem. In my cars we'll often take out the plug with the wire attached, ground it and see if we get spark. You can do the same with your bike, I believe. If no spark, then you know it's ignition related. Although, I think you've already established that, right? It's not fuel. It's not the starter. It doesn't seem to be the battery. Chris | ||
| M1combat |
Do you wash it with a pressure washer? | ||
| 12bolt |
Bring it in the house for a day, let it dry out then give it a shot! | ||
| Road_thing |
Bob: Barkin' Chris is probably on the right track. If it were me, I'd pull the leads off the spark plugs, dry the outsides of the plugs and the insides of the caps, and try to start it again. The spark can jump across the wet porcelain easier than the gap in the cylinder because it's the path of least resistance. I guess it might happen at the coil end of the plug leads, too, although I've personally never seen it. rt | ||
| Deuceman |
A squirt of WD-40 in the boot ends will displace the water if there is any. I have done it before on my Norton, and it didn't hurt anything. I think it would be safe here also. Somebody correct me if I am wrong. | ||
| Nedwreck |
M1combat, I don't own a pressure washer. The tech guy and I took the covers off the right side and pulled the connectors that go to the electronic ignition apart and shot them full of non conductive grease. Changed the plugs as well. Fired right up. Bob | ||
| Barkandbite |
Prolly just water in the boots then, eh? Dialetric grease will help, but at least you've got a good procedure to try if it happens again. Chris | ||
| Dstrat |
buy some corrosion x, a water displacer, and electrical system protectant...available at aviation supply outlets, or on the net...works great |
