Hesitation after bike wash and tip-over... what gives?

Hi all,

I have a 6th gen with 10.5K on it. It was running perfect until yesterday. Here's what happened...

Saturday night I was washing the bike in the backyard on the grass (I can't wash it on the front driveway like a normal person due to water restrictions). While washing it, it tipped over on the right side because the ground got soft. It was down for maybe 2-3 minutes until I righted it.

I finished washing it. I turned it on and rode it into the front yard and into the garage. When I went to work the next morning I noticed a strange hesitation that was not there before. It is more reluctant to rev, it runs rougher, and it is not as quick as it should be. It was that way to and from work, and was that way again today.

I was thinking that maybe I had got something wet during the wash (plug wire?) that was causing the problem. But it's been days now and it hasn't improved. Also, this never happened before and it's been through many washes.

There is some possibility that maybe too much water got into the exhaust (which is stock). I don't aim water in there, but neither do I cover it during washes.

What could be the problem here?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rich

 

I would try replacing the fuel filter, She may have knocked some sediment loose when she dropped?

 

Try open the air box and clean the air filter, pull all the spark plugs and clean them. See if this help

 

Did it fall over on the side stand poking into the softened grass? If so that is the left side and the battery terminals likely got flooded and damaged the battery, and FI bikes don't like to run well if there are any battery issues--so check your battery condition and voltage.

 

Did you use a power washer? That is generally a no-no on motorcycles.

 

Drain some fuel into a clear container and see if there is water in there.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will attempt some of your suggestions this weekend.

Bike fell on right side. It was on the center stand and went opposite of the kickstand. But I'll check the battery anyway.

No pressure washer, just a regular hose. Not even a spray nozzle, just my thumb!

If anyone can add anything else, I appreciate it. In the meantime, if any of the current ideas fix it, I'll post an update.

 

Rough running suggests that one or more plugs are not happy - most likely due to water shorting out one of the sparkplugs/leads. The obvious thing is to check for water trapped in unhelpful places. Its just possible one of the leads may have come adrift when the bike hit the deck. Chances are you won't be able to see enough without lifting the tank. Basically make sure you dry any water around the plugs/leads.

As for the tip over - these bikes can opt for horizontal parking mode with very little warning - I know - so you may want to invest in decent R&G Crash bungs or other tip over protection to minimise the risk of further damage to your fairings etc. The fuel system - safety cut out should automatically reset once the bike is upright - so assuming the sensor was not broken/dislodged by the fall, the bike should be good to go once you sort the rough running.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.


Skimad4x4
Proud Member - 6th Gen Militia # 218 - European 1st Division

 

Update!

I took the bike apart. I am not a mechanic and, while intelligent, I felt out of my league. I had taken the whole airbox off by the time I figured out that two plugs were behind the front wheel :redface:

One sparkplug cap (I believe that is what they are called), the one that is front right when facing the front of the bike, did show signs of water intrusion (sandy debris). I used a hair dryer on cool to make sure the harness and hole were dry. I cleaned the plugs and replaced them. I feel that the plug caps don't form a good-enough seal. Alternatives/solutions?

The air filter was good. The fuel had no water in it.

The funny thing is that the bike SEEMS to be running better, but it is definitely still doing it.

Where is the fuel filter? I'm going to do that next.

 

Its inside the gas-tank.

If you don't have service manual then download from here.Must have
http://vfrworld.com/forums/specifications/3161-downloadable-parts-catalogs-service-manuals.html

 

Final update...

I got smart and pulled the left front spark plug cap and did the cool blow dryer treatment on it and the harness. Problem solved, and bike running great.

This really makes me leery of putting too much water in that area. And now I'm worried about rain.

Any ideas?

 

Thanks for the update. Diagnosis at a distance is never easy, so its good to hear when the cybermechanics here on VFRWorld have helped. NOW step away from the keyboard and go ride your VFR! Normally these bikes handle the odd rain storm well - just don't ride through floods.


Skimad4x4
Proud member 6th Gen Militia - European 1st Division

 

Look into changing the plug wires.....at least one is bad and they should be ale to handle water/rain.

 

It could have been loose before the wash letting in just enough water to short it out. I have found mine loose occasionally knowing I had put them on tight. Guessing just the vibration over time let's them back out. I try to avoid washing mine as much as I can and just use a wet washcloth and dry as I go. Glad you figured it though. Also when I do have to wash my bike I always dry it with a leaf blower and fully warm the bike.

 

Must somewhat disagree. Honda used the best quality plug wires you can find, and they're still in great condition on my '86 700 and '89 Hawk, etc. and multitudes of same era bikes. However, a good maintenance move anytime spark problems are suspected is to clip off about 1/4" of wire on each end of plug wire, then re-screw in again the cap and coil connection on fresh, clean contacts.

There are water/oil drain holes in the sparkplug wells, so make sure yours are not clogged with dirt.

 

I would agree with you, but I have had a bad plug wire before.. Worth checking at the very least..:smile:

 

Sure, i've had plug wire problems too. A squirrel tasted a plug cap protector and bit insulation off about 2" of plug wire on a Hawk, and i had to replace that one !!

 

LOLOL!! I guess that would be where the username comes from :tongue:

 

Dielectric grease! If ever there was an application or use for it, this is it. Put a slight dab on the insulator of the plug about in the middle where the rubber boot stops, then spread it around the circumference of the shaft. Then when you put on the rubber it seals the gap and keeps the moisture out. Or you can put the dab around the lip of the rubber and then press onto plug. Don't use too much such that it gets up into the contact area.