| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
So, loaded up the XT to run errands today, started her up, finished putting gear on. Ran in the house for one last item and the odd sound coming from the driveway caught my attention. Hmmmm...sounded like one cylinder. Shut her down, restarted, same thing. Decided to take it for a spin around the block, second cylinder kicked in, ran like a banshee. At the stop sign, back to one. On two lane 45 mph road, ran on two. Turned her around, back home, moved stuff from XT to X, got X keys (thank goodness for the spare uly, better half took the city-x today...fingers crossed... hopefully to meet its new owner). Weird part was I rode the XT 120 miles yesterday, no issues. 18,700 miles on XT odometer, I think we still have original plugs and wires. Think it's time to put an order in for new plugs and wires from American Sport Bike? Any other ideas? I'm digging the X, but missing the convenience of the XT's hard bags. I'm nervous about going to the produce stand when I'm using the triple tail bag. Smooshy strawberries make an awful mess... Thanks, BeLinda. | ||
| Mideon |
I had the exact thing happen. You had a plug foul. Time for new ones! | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
That's good news. The family mechanic is at his "real job" and I thought I'd get the skinny here. Badweb flat out rocks. Appreciate the quick feedback! BeLinda. | ||
| Froggy |
It is either a fouled plug or worn through plug wires. If it only does it when the bike gets wet, it is probably the wires. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Froggy- The bike was bone dry when it did it. This was the first time it's happened. The city-x has done the run on one cylinder in the rain or after a bath trick a few times. We'll have to bring its new owner (thinking positive) up to speed on that quirk. I was riding by myself in the middle of the northwoods thru a t-storm the first time it happened and it freaked me out just a little. I limped it a couple miles and pulled into a wayside rest area and got permission from the attendant to pull it on the sidewalk under the roof and let it run and dry out til the fan came on. Honestly, one of the great things about these bikes is their relative ease to diagnose and work on. It's a real confidence builder for someone who hadn't picked up a wrench in 20 years to be able to jump in and figure out basic stuff to keep a bike safely on the road. B. | ||
| Pammy |
It does sound like a fouled/loaded up plug. Loads up at idle and clears up when you up the r's. Could be air cleaner needs to be cleaned or you have a leaking valve guide seal. Or it could be electrical...charging system is most efficient when r's are above 2k. At lower rpm's/idle low voltage(battery) could load up plug. You can check the voltage easy enough with a cheap multimeter. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks for the input, Pammy. We are starting simple, new plugs and wires. We'll check into the other things after that if the problem has not been resolved. Looks like I'll be on the X tomorrow. Oh well, didn't get it to be a garage queen, she needs some miles put on her too. Thanks again, B. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Update: It's been a good 24 hours. Ordered plugs and wires but did not have the patience to wait for their arrival by mail next week so picked up OEM plugs at our HD (no longer Buell) dealership down the street. Once again, had the pleasure of dealing with a former Gainesville HD/B parts guy who is now here, absolute pleasure to deal with someone familiar with Buells with love for Ulys, btw. Got the plugs, and after a quick stop at Lowes for a foot of rubber tubing to assist with install of the new plugs, it appears she is running good as new. Will replace the wires next week. Don't tell the others, but the XT has to be my favorite bike ever, sitting on her is as comfy as slipping on my well worn Oxtars. Yum. And, as icing on the cake, we are pretty sure the city-x is going to be going to a good home. Silver lining with these high gas prices is it looks like it's gonna be an e-z sell to a guy who's current primary ride is a 12 mpg pick up truck. We know him, and hubby will be able to see her at work as they work together. They may need to put in motorcycle parking next to the golf cart parking, more people are looking at going to 2 wheels. Gonna ride the XT 15 minutes in to work tomorrow to make sure all is well before taking her the 53 miles to my class in East Orlando this weekend. Thanks again for everyone's input, and will post up with any other changes but it appears the problem has been solved. BeLinda. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
it sounds like a plug wire to me! that happened to mine. |
