 Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4 |
Going down the highway this weekend, 3100-3300 rpm in 5th gear the engine cut out... It felt and sounded like what happens when the engine has no more fuel, right before you reach down and flip the tank valve to reserve - except I had a 3/4 full tank (fresh fuel, probably the third tankful of the season). Suddenly powerless I began drifting to the shoulder and shifted down to see if the engine would catch, and of course all it did was decelerate me faster. As I coasted to the shoulder I engaged the clutch and hit the starter button and the engine roared to life (I had the throttle wide open) and I was able to re-merge back into traffic without losing my place (it all happened quickly). My riding partner said when I did that, there was a cloud of black smoke that came out the exhaust. We were fighting a stiff headwind and I thought maybe I was unintentionally lugging the engine and fouled the plugs. I continued with the trip except keeping it in 4th gear 4000-4200 rpm and it seemed to run smooth. When I tried 5th gear it felt like I was getting subtle intermittent lurching as if the engine had occasionally misses. Later in the day on the return trip the same thing happened - on the freeway, except in 4th gear, 4000-4200 rpm and the engine died (a new tank of fuel as well). Clutch in, starter button, and it fired up again allowing me to continue. This is only the second season I've had the bike, mileage is 7800 (1200 of that is mine). Per the previous owner, the bike has the Triumph High Performance Long Exhaust, the 19 tooth countershaft sprocket, the Air Injector Removal Kit, and a Pingel high flow fuel petcock. Ideas?
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
I would check the hidden fuel filter and the vent tube first. Check the link below http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...age=0#Post89123
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4 |
Thanks Roadworthy, will do. I won't be home to check possible solutions until June 11, meanwhile I've been cruising prior posts in the forum regarding similar issues others have had and will be sure to follow up once the culprit is found.
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,073 Likes: 82
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,073 Likes: 82 |
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
I agree with Dave... Check the vent hose first - it's simple and cheap.
Have you tried loosening the fuel cap when it's starting to happen. When it starts to die, loosen the cap and if the bike revs up you have a kinked vent hose or sticking tipover valve in the vent hose.
Once you've eliminated the hose and fuel filter, then begins the electrical troubleshooting. Check the connections to the Pickup Coil, TPS, sidestand switch, Igniter, fuse panel, ignition coils, etc in no particular order.
If the bike gave off a large cloud of black smoke, when it came to life, it almost sounds like electrical because a plugged vent hose or filter would lead to fuel starvation and no black smoke. Stranger things have happened though.
When the bike cut out, did it quit suddenly or gradually?
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
Right about loosening the gas cap. I had a kinked breather tube. It would run and then act like it was out of gas. Loosened the gas cap and all was good until I could get under the tank and fix it. Start with the easy stuff first.
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4 |
The bike cut out suddenly both times it happened. Everything going along fine, then the sudden feel of deceleration and the descending sound of the engine as compression braking took place.
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Check for loose battery connection(s).
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 853
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 853 |
I had a loose ground connection to the battery...bike would die on a left turn..took about 2 days of riding before I looked a the battery...and tighten the connection
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4 |
Just got home tonight and started looking around using the suggestions here. The tank vent hose seems to be clear, however I found a bolt laying on the transmission under the carburators and discovered it was from the right front corner of the left carburator bowl. I've reattached that, and also found the squirrel condom on the left front from the air injection system dried out and cracked. I've tried to seal it with rubber cement until I can replace it (it's after ll pm here right now). Tomorrow I will be able to go out and about running errands and see if those were the causes. Oddly enough, the bike definately seems to idle better with the squirrel condom off the nipple (the one that is cracked, left front). Battery connections are tight. Further updates after I am able to run around with the bike tomorrow.
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,494 Likes: 6
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,494 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
... Further updates after I am able to run around with the bike tomorrow.
You should try riding it! 

'04' Black America
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
When my 02 did this, it was the kickstand switch and I had to put on a new spring. A slight bump at highway speeds caused the safety switch to shut the bike down.
Al
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 Re: Misbehaving 2002 Bonneville America
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 544
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 544 |
I would ignore the black smoke. When it failed to start while rolling in gear you filled iup the cyl up with fuel, most likely semicleared it during sarter start up. Keybag! BOOM!
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