Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Backfires

Update: Changed the plugs (old ones looked great), removed and re-seated the plug wires into the coils. Ran great the last two weeks then this past weekend it started doing it again. Would do it for awhile (loss of rpm and multiple backfires) the quit and run fine. Well this morning running in to work, cruising normally in the HOV lane when all of a sudden BANNNNGGGGGG!!!! (massive single backfire) and the bike immediately dies. I swear to god I thought the motor exploded. Pulled over to the side of the road and checked the motor (it didn't explode). Guy riding behind me pulled up and says "what the f**k was THAT!" I said "backfire" he said "man, I thought your tire exploded". Anyway, it starts right back up and seems to have no issues. Shut it back down and get off to check and see where it has blown a small hole in the right side valve cover gasket and is leaking a small amount of oil out of it. Didn't see any other issues so I call the wife and tell her to pick me up at the dealer. Rode it all the way there (50 miles) and never had the problem again. I'm seriously perplexed... incidentially, when I got to the dealer they were too (this is the 3rd time i've had it there for them to check).