Author Topic: heavy rain causing bike to run badly (Read 6264 times)

ttewejnodnarb · « **on:** October 11, 2005, 04:00:28 PM »

Hi,

The other night was my first ride in a real rain with my new-to-me 98 B12. I picked it up with a SII kit w/pods. I realize these are more susceptible to rain but I didn't realize it would be this bad. The bike was running extremely rough, stalled once and was not giving good power at any time, especially uphill. If I twisted the throttle it would just take a big gulp of water, shake and sounded awful. I understand that it is very bad to get water into an engine and how I didn't do any permanent damage.

I am planning on firing it up tomorrow...any advise or anything I should expect? I am planning on pulling the plugs to check for fouling. What else should I do / look for?

for the help!

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2005, 08:46:17 PM »

Make sure the ill-running wasn't caused by plug wires misfiring from getting wet. Dielectric grease will help if that's the case.

billster · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2005, 05:06:59 AM »

I don't think it's EVER going to stop raining ferchrissakes!!!

Yeah....I'd check the plug wires.

Bill

ttewejnodnarb · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2005, 12:58:13 PM »

I'll check them today...if I can paddle across the street / river to the garage.

jwalters · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2005, 02:42:55 PM »

I can't comment on pods on a bandit, but I know my honda CB 750 cafe racer has pods and also very susceptible to rain.

A side note, I decided to go with an Ivans 1st stage jet kit for my B12s w/ a modified air box because I want it to be reliable in the rain since its my long distance/touring bike. Your experience has re-affirmed my decision.

Good point on the dielectric grease Paul, I am going to pick some up for some of the electrical parts on my honda.
Thanks
-jesse

billster · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2005, 02:48:22 PM »

Jesse..

That blue bike your Bandit??? One hot looking mother. Someday post pics and what you've done to it.

Billster

jwalters · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2005, 02:54:39 PM »

That blue bike is my honda cb 750K2. I dont' have any good pictures of it. The only descent one I have can be found on Steve Carpenter's website.
http://www.cb750cafe.com/bikes.php?cat=3&PHPSESSID=cba668fc6a33310dd503c80076f1c174

That picture doesn't do it justice though, I'll get some new pictures of it soon. It's a fun little bike. I have replaced the green gauges with some custom "CAFE" backgrounds and saving some $$ for some Dunlop GT501 tires. They are basically sport tires for these old bikes. Really dress the bike up nice.
jesse

billster · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2005, 03:02:24 PM »

AHHH! The Ton-Up club. Excellent! Had a '79 DOHC CB750...started out to cafe it and ended up with a full Hannigan fairing and lowers. I like the look of yours - clean and simple.

Actually, I was referring to that blue bike with Suzuki across the lowers in your little profile pic to the left. Thought that was your Bandito.

B

jwalters · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2005, 03:04:33 PM »

Oh that! Ha, sorry it's confusing because I couldn't figure out which avatar to use. So I made a perl script to randomly change my avatar every 60 seconds from a pool of about 6 images!

Anyway, that pic of the OTHER blue bike is the MotoGP GSVR! I wish that was mine! It's worth about $998,000 more than my honda and a tad faster!

And sorry for sending this thread in a tangent.

billster · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2005, 03:07:57 PM »

okie doke. i got all excited...thought someone got a bandit to look like that!

ttewejnodnarb · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2005, 09:35:46 PM »

pulled the wires and plugs...only the #2 wire has a boot that I just can't get to fit. It engages the plug but the rubber cap with the tiny holes won't line up right. I actually noticed this before and it probably contributed to the problems in the rain. The plugs confirm my earlier notion that I am running rich. OK, last two questions:

1) Is there anything I can do to the pods when I need to run in the rain? I was thinking of fabricating a cover for the top of the pods that would come down about half way on the sides and give about 1/2 inch clearance between the pod and cover. Anyone try something similar?

2) (a little off topic) If I change the A/F screws will I need to sync the carbs after?

In the mean time I think I'll gunk up #2 and friends with a little dielectic grease. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Red01 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2005, 11:02:08 PM »

Fabbing up some kind of shroud that blocks the sides and maybe a little of the top of the outboard carbs while still giving some airspace would probably do you well... seems to work on the 2G's (their sidecovers stay on the bike when you go to pods and do a good job of this).

tacoman · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2005, 02:40:43 PM »

Before starting, you may want to drain the float bowls. Water will settle at the bottom and displace fuel. It causes all kinds of weird problems because the floats will be at normal level but there won't be enough fuel.