| Author | Message | ||
     Scs1 |
I just bought my 1998 s1. Other than a couple issues, I freakin love this bike. The oil leak in my previous thread is pretty annoying, but the next issue really sucks. Three times now, it's crapped out .Once on backroads, cruising behind a slow car. Twice on the freeway, in the fast lane. All three times had common operating conditions symptoms. Operating Conditions 1. Driving a constant speed, 3500-4000 RPM. 2. Full gas tank, petcock in the "on" position. 3. Engine adequately warmed up, was playing in the twisties prior to getting on the freeway. Symptoms 1. If I let off the throttle engine dies. 2. Engine starts to sputter out. 3. Engine feels like it's out of gas. 4. Engine dies. Lights and indicators are still functional. Engine just wont fire. What fixed it 1. The first one was on Hwy 9. The bike started to sputter out. When I pulled the clutch, the engine was dead. I pulled over. I opened my gas tank to check level. Closed the tank, made sure my petcock was on. That's all I did. The bike fired right back up and got me another 20 miles before it did it again. 2. The second time it did it was 20 miles after the first occurrence. This time I was on the freeway in the fast lane. It started to sputter out then died. I made my way to the shoulder. Knowing that I had gas, I switched the petcock to the "res" position. Started it right up and rode home, no problems. That night I tore the tank off, checked and cleaned the fuel filter, drained and swished out the tank, cleaned the air filter, sprayed air through the petcock(in all three positions), cleaned out the carb(just sprayed gumout in around it). The next day I rode it most of the day in the twisties(fluctuating throttle), no problems to report all day long. I though I'd fixed it. 3. This morning on the way to work it happened on the freeway again. Same exact symptoms. It sputtered out and died. I pulled over, turned the petcock to the "res" position, and V-ROOM it's alive. I made it to work no problem after that. I'm now at work hoping it doesn't happen on the way home tonight. Has anyone heard of this before. Thanks again for reading.-Nate }} | ||
| Skntpig |
Your vent tube is prolly clogged, blocked or it is the vent itself. If your vent has a 90* bend and points to the front of your bike it has the new (crappy clogger) type. If it points straight up then you have the older style Without a safety valve (Many prefer). If you have the older straight up style and the tube itself isn't clogged, then this isn't your issue and you can stop reading now. I removed mine and cut off the lower black part of the vent. This is supposed to be a safety device that prevents gas from leaking out if your bike tips over. I only took mine off because it was malfunctioning and I figured I have more issues that a little gas in a vent tube if my bike is horizontal. CAREFULL with your hand in the tank! I sliced my finger pretty deep getting to mine. The edges are sharp on the aluminum tank ring. Please do at your own risk and search the forum, as others have had this problem too and may have better solutions. One way to check is next time it does it listen closely and release the gascap. If you hear a rush of air it is the vent. | ||
| Billetmetallic |
I second Skntpig, you can always get a new vent valve too. | ||
| Jos51700 |
The "straight-up" style vent was replaced for the issues described: Plugged venting. It does in fact have a safety valve, I can provide a picture if need be. While this does have all the hallmarks of a plugged vent hose or failing vent valve, one thing makes me wonder....It flows fuel when switched to reserve. If the ventvalve is NOT updated (hose comes out straight up), update it (And I'm interested in your old one for a restoration), and see if problem persists. If you have the new valve (Hose exits parallel to the ground), I would ask these questions: How much fuel is REALLY in the tank when it sputters and dies? S1's aren't known for huge capacity tanks. You might actually just be due for fuel and/or have a vent issue. How much does it take to fill it up if you get gas immediately after this problem? Does the tank hiss or expand when, after it dies, you remove the fuel cap? Have you actually looked in the tank to make sure there's nothing loose (Lining, paper, shop towel, etc) in there? Have you pulled and inspected the fuel valve? | ||
| Reducati |
Nate, great way to write up a problem, very crystal clear...im also looking to purchase my second s1....sweet bike | ||
| Eboos |
I had the same thing happen to me when I first got my bike. The vent tube was actually blocked completely since the previous owner set the battery on it. Once I found that, no problems. | ||
| Scs1 |
Thanks for all the valuable input. I think I got it fixed. I also think that one time it happened, I was actually out of gas. After taking apart and cleaning out the tank, filter, and petcock I realized that the bottom portion of the tank is much more shallow than I thought....duhhh. All of the input I've received pointed to the "new style", 90 degree, horizontally facing, parallel with the ground vent valve. The one with the ball and little reed valve thingy inside. Removing the tank fill shroud was kind of sketchy. Anyone performing this fix, be careful not to drop the inside part or fillet your hand. I drilled out the bottom of the valve housing with a big bit and removed the ball. Then drilled out the plastic reed thing with a small bit. Blew air through everything and put it back together. Hopefully that was it. That bike is too much fun to sit dead on the side of the road. Cheers, Nate | ||
| Bad_karma |
I was tired of the big bulb check valve of the new mod robbing me of some extra miles so I opted for an in-line check valve and cut the big body off. Joe  Look at the vent line pointing up to the left of the tach wire noted. |
