Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge First ride in the rain....

Has anyone had issues ridding in the rain? I was caught coming home form a ride yesterday during a pretty good rain and my bike started acting like it was out of gas. I had just refilled so I know I was good. Below is previous email to a friend. It describes my adventure.



"I was cruising around ‘55’ with the rpms at around 3800. It was REALLY raining. Then the bike started to sputter like it was running out of gas. Pulled over and she stalled out.

Tried to start it but it would not start… I put the fuel valve in reserve and tried again after pumping the throttle a couple of times…. And nothing… just a little pop…. I left it alone while a looked around and checked for cracks and leaks in the hoses. I took the seat off and checked the air filter box. I did not open it since everything looked dry under the seat.

After a few minutes of thinking about kicking the bike over I decided to pull the choke and start it. After the 2nd time she started…. I let it run for a bit and then hopped on, put the choke in and got back on the road….

After a mile or so she started sputtering again…. Pulled over again…. Did the same dance…. Pretty much waited… pull the choke… started and went with the choke pulled out…

Third time it happened the bike started up right away… rode home with the choked pulled out. When I got to my block I pushed it in and rode to my garage.

The idle was erratic even with the choke out. High idle then popping low for second.

I am gonna pull the air filter to see if it looks ok… Other than that I am dumbfounded for the cause."


Any insight is greatly appreciated,

Ralph - 06 America

I think it has to be water shorting the ignition out. I'm having a problem with the safety switches shorting out just by taking it to the carwash.

Some useful into in the tech forums:

Info in the Tech forum

Thanks for the link... That was good info.

Never had any issues with water except once with Wendys bike. We washed it and it ran fine after but didn't get it dry before putting it away and wouldn't start the next day and had no spark. played with the wires under the seat and got it to fire. Rode it again in the rain that evening (same day as the lightning strike I was on TV for)and it was fine in both downpours on the way home. I rode mine from the Poconos here in Tobyhanna to the northern end of Vermont in the driving rain on the way to Laconia without skipping a beat. The guy I was following was on an 02 America and his was fine too. It was raining so hard I couldn't see his tail light.

Ralph,

I had exactly the same experience and solved it with one of the following tips from this thread , just not sure which one. I've riden plenty of rain since and no issues.....

Jeff

I’ve ridden in the rain far too many times for my liking, never had any problem with TBA. Only problems:
MC jacket, I did a good job waterproofing, now the rain just runs down to my pants, think it is time to buy some rain gear. At 60 mph in down poor rain really stings hands, I have full face helmet, no problem with face. The biggest problem finding a place to hide out till rain subsides. Oh yea cleaning TBA after riding in rain, lots of crap everywhere. I use lots of Q tips, and Windex or invisible glass.

Ralph,

I have the same issue with my 06 TBA all you have to do is loosen the gas cap up and it will take care of the problem.

There is a vaccumm tube that runs down the frame and hangs down by the rear wheel there is a small check valve in the line that prevents water from getting sucked back up the tube. Locate the tube and put a 45% cut at the end of the hose it is squared off now and the problem will go away.

If your riding in the rain and it starts to quit just loosen up the gas cap and she will clear right up and keep going.

Big Poppy hit the nail right in the face. It's happened to me. also check the fuses, make sure they are not getting crusty, A little dielectric compound (auto parts store) & you'll be dandy