Narcoleptic Bike

[egleaves]

Here's a problem that only happens once in a while, but it has nearly stranded me a couple of times. It just happened again today on my way in to work.

Occasionally, when at a light or in slow traffic, she'll just die. No sputtering or low idle, it's a sudden loss of ignition. Sometimes a quick press of the start button solves the problem and off I go, but more often it requires me to bump the bike (forward or backward) in gear to turn the engine over just a little, then hit the start button and get out of the way. Is there a cam or crank position sensor that could be going bad?

[egsols]

No crank sensors. Sounds like a bad or loose connection somewhere. Do you still have the stock fusebox in there?

[egleaves]

Yeah, fuse box is still stock for now. I really want to replace it, though. The part that baffles me a little is that rocking the bike to turn the engine over a little usually does the trick.

[XSPastor]

Hmmmm... That is puzzling. Could be a weak spot in the starter's rotation. Bumping the bike in gear might be getting you to a point in the bike's stroke where it's easier for the starter to turn it. Other than that, replace that fuse box!! That cleared up a whole lot of intermittent problems for me. Everything is just stronger.

[strippedFJ]

If not the fuse box then check the starter circuit, you could have a short in there somewhere. The circuit will also run through the fuse box, that would be the first place I'd start.

Used to have a GSX11 and a GPz9 that had dodgy starter motor relay's that caused the same problem.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there EGLeaves,

Check the emergency kill switch in the right handle control assembly! There is a tipover kill switch under the tank,marked UP on it's side, can get flaky, just removing/unplugging it can by pass it. I have the fuseblocks available, see the tech tips/mods as well as parts for sale forum/sticky thread for ordering info!

Have you checked your charging system? The bike barely makes enough power to keep it running at idle, and IF the voltage drops too low, it will kill the bike because the TCI won't keep working!

There are several large plugs BEHIND the fuseblock panel where the ALT connects to the harness, corrosion forms there and is often missed....cleaning can help, along with ALL the connections, grounds including the engine to frame at the final drive below carbs and battery box.
T.C.

[mro]

If all else fails would check the pick-up coil wires.

mro

[egleaves]

Well, you all have touched on what are probably my top four or five things I need to fix on my bike.

I know I have pick-up wire issues; I have done a quick cleaning of the butt connectors, but I plan on replacing the pick-up wires when I replace the coils.

I've checked out my tip-over switch in the past and it seems to work fine. TC, will simply removing it bypass the switch? Wouldn't I need to put in a jumper wire?

I think my first and foremost interest is in replacing the fuse box. I can't actually call it a stock configuration due to some modifications(?) made by the PO. I basically want to start rewiring the bike from the battery and work my way out.

I do have some minor charging issues; the blinkers don't blink at idle if I'm holding the brake, for instance. I often notice the electrical system losing some power when revs come down.

Moral of the story, I guess, is that my bike pretty much needs a full electrical overhaul, then I can mess with that damn slipping clutch.....

Thanks all for the insight and advice!

[webbcraft2150]

As TC said, check your charging system at idle. When I first got my G, it would do the same thing and I found marginal charging rate at idle which was traced back to a weak battery. Once I replaced the battery, my charge rate at idle was much better and I had no more issues. Make sure you ain't running any extra driving lights cause that will kill em at idle also (don't ask how I found this out). The XS charging system dosent really get busy till around 3k. Alot of intown town driving at low rpm can put a strain on even a good charging/battery system. I am in the habit now of putting a small trickle/maintainer charger on my rig every night.

[jeffe]

The reg/rec that Geezer sells will solve a lot of the low RPM problems. Worth the money. Look here. http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/Reg_rec_units.html

[JRocket]

I used to have trouble like that, 100 miles from nowhere, with my wife on the back, fully loaded, etc. Turned out to be the fuse box. I would lose the main circuit when I stopped for a light, and would have to unload her and listen to her saying "We should have taken the car, etc., etc." Then, I jiggled the fuses and got her (the bike) running again, and all was forgotten. The dealer had a strip of fuse holders, which I carry as spares. Good as new.

Charging problems are another matter, however. Even after charging the battery (new, sealed, heavy duty) with my Battery Tender, the blinkers slow down or stop when I use the brake, and eventually the headlight gets dimmer, after a few hours of riding. I have the fairing lights, running lights, and auxiliary lights (two pairs, which I hardly ever use, since they really draw down the battery), and the radio, which I almost never use.

Does anyone know of someone who makes an upgrade for our alternators? My dealer says nothing is available.

I carry the mini jumper cables from Pep Boys in their little case, and a tow rope, just in case.

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by JRocket
Does anyone know of someone who makes an upgrade for our alternators? My dealer says nothing is available.

Your dealer is correct. egleaves posted a few notes back that his bike pretty much needs a full electrical ovehaul. Sounds like yours makes two that need some care and attention.

With the stock charging system, you can have the headlight on, with the brake lights, and the signals should still flash at idle. The big IF with this, is IF all of your electrical connectors are clean and tight from one end of the bike to the other. Oh, and IF you have been riding enough so your battery is at its normal state. When I notice my signals stop flashing at idle when I'm stopped for traffic, it is time to start cleaning.

[planedick]

Charging

One way to help the weak charging system is to replace the stop/tail lights with the 1157 LED bulbs. Make lots more electric available for charging.

[egleaves]

I am very interested in LEDs as an alternative to incandescent, but I have a few other things I have to take care of before I can work on that conversion.

[planedick]

Work on?

Nothing to work on, just replace the bulbs.....