Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Wants to die

I know I shouldn't have messed with anything. But, here is what is happening. I am not sure what I may have done wrong, so here is the whole story. It was running awesome yesterday.

Last night I pulled off my driving lights. One of them broke, so I decided to just pull them off until I get another set. So, I pulled the tank, disconnected the lights, and put the tank back on. While I was at it I decided to go ahead and remove the snorkel. So, I unscrewed the cover to the air filter and pulled the snorkel out. I also took out the air filter just to look at it. I put the air filter back in, but the air filter cover back on. I know I should of, but I didn't re-start the bike to make sure everything is running right. I live in an apartment complex and with those new pipes, I don't like to leave it running much around there.

I started up the bike this morning, put the choke on, let it run for a minute or two, shut off the choke and it hardly wanted to idle. So, I let it run a minute or two and attempted to take off and killed it. Started it up again with the choke on and it just doesn't seem to want to run hardly at all. I took the seat off, and put the snorkel back on. I don’t think I have in all the way. I was in a hurry and just tried to shove it back on. It didn't seem to make much of a difference. It is ride to work day, so I wasn't going to give up and take the car. Anyway, I ended up riding in with the choke on most of the way and it still seemed like it just isn't getting enough fuel. I have to really roll on the throttle to take off and there is no more popping on deceleration.

Soren

turn up your idle knob inoug to idle w/ out the choke once warm. your snorkel should not have mattered. Have you jetted yet?

Check all electrical connections? Coils wires, plug wires, two remaining relays on top tube, connections under harness cover top of air box? When running are both jugs hot? Petcock opened fully? Tank vent line unobstructed?

I vote for the pinched vent line.

Try removing the gas cap and see if that helps. If so, the tank vent hose is pinched. Pull the tank and carefully route the vent over the rubber tank locator.
If it doesn't make any difference, check the connectors on the starter/headlight relay and the ignition controller on the right side of the frame under the tank. While you're there, check the coil connections under the frame.

Just a wild shot, you didn't put the air filter in upside down or maybe drop something in the box while the filter was out? I mean, if the air filter is in upside down with the cover on, it's not getting any air at all. Of course the snork wouldn't go back in unless you've cut the bottom off. Man, you did't do much so it shouldn't be hard to go back over it all. And as has been said, do a good check on that vent! Unscrewing the cap will tell quickly if that's it.

Thanks for all the responses. I was hoping to get a chance to look at during lunch today, but nope not today (its been one of those days). So, after work I am going take it all apart and put it back together again.

Soren

I'll second that, sure sounds like a pinched hose anyway!

And the winner is.... (drum roll).... Moe. I had knocked off one of on opf the wires that goes to one of the relay things that are at the top of the frame right under the front end of the tank. So, I guess I was only running on one cylinder today (oooppps). I am guessing I knocked it off when I was pulling out the wires from my driving lights.

Anyway, I am happy now. It's one more thing to add to my list of things to look for when I am taking things apart and putting them back together.

Soren

BTW...
I pulled the snorkel back out. I'll see how much of a difference it makes tomorrow.

I still need to do the vacuum hose thing between the two carbs.

I already miss having those driving lights mounted to the front fender. It's almost like seeing someone after they have shaved their beard or mustache off. I wish I had time to order another set from JC Whitney and get them mounted before the Idaho Invasion.

Soren

Soren,
Your words are undecipherable...

Quote:

---

I had knocked off one of on opf the wires

---

But from the rest of what you wrote, it sounds like you knocked a COIL wire loose. In the pic below, you can see the three relays, the right ignition coil, and part of the left coil. Those primary stud wires are real easy to knock loose. Also, the hard plastic 'L' shaped boots that they reside in do not allow fault free plugging. The female part will not push all the way on the coil’s male part by just pushing the hard plastic boot. You have to reach into the hard plastic boots and push the connection home.


Does that make sense?

Also, if indeed you were running on one cylinder, perhaps an oil change is in order?

Moe,

Forgive my non-techno speak. I am not a mechanic nor do I play one on T.V. D*mnit Jim, I'm a webmaster not a mechanic But I am learning. Learning is always good.

I took your picture and circled the connector that came off. If someone can tell me exactly what it is, I would appreciate it.


Soren

The coil primary connector

Soren,

Phil is correct and that is why you were running on one jug. Issues of gas washing down that cylinder's walls arise when a jug is being fed gas with no spark. Were it my ride, especially after I had forced it to work, I would change the oil. Why? Because your oil stands a very good chance of being contaminated with gasoline. This line of thought is controversial much as using your kill switch is or the egg vs the chicken or wearing a helmet. Your call.
Some threads discussed this topic a while back…

If you look at that (those) connectors, you will see how I was trying to describe the plug. The metal portion is inside the plastic L boot. Take a wooden clothespin (a non-conducting tool) and use it to push the wire’s metal connector all the way onto the coil’s metal connector. Do this for both wires on each coil. Now would be a good time to get some dielectric grease and coat the connections as well. Just using the plastic boot at least on my ride will not mate the two together in a religious kinda way.

I hope I didn’t hurt your weekend brewski fund


PS: The three rectangular electrical connectors on the top tube are the relays...

Ok, moe won....
But what you did to do what you did should never have done what it did......
How'd you remove the tank? With a forklift???

Sorry, I'm just a sore loser...

Oh, and btw... change your oil. better safe than sorry, just don't use a forklift to do it...

Hey Guys,
Just logged on for the first time.
New Aussie member, mid day here - warm & sunny.
Just back from a RAT Raid over the weekend.
Just saying hello & then back to work.

If Moe wins the troubleshooting contest, then Aussie quorrodave gets to buy the beer for winning "the most off the wall thread to introduce yourself".

Beers on the newbie!

Sorry Dave, welcome to the board!

ps. great middle name.

pps. glad to hear you get 'er fixed Soren

Hi Dave, welcome.
How about letting us know were your from in oz.
This is a great site, im sure your find it most helpfull the guys here are great.
Safe riding
Herb
PS; what bike you have.