R65LS doesn't like the rain

[dirk_gently]

Hello all,
I just stumbled upon this forum and have already found it amazingly useful. I have a problem that has just popped up in the last 5 days that I'm not sure how to solve. My R65LS seems to have a lot of trouble with the rain. If it's caught in a shower and I try to start it, it sounds like its going to start and then doesn't. No weird sounds, just the normal starting sounds and then nothing. I did get it to start once while it was raining and I had to keep revving the engine to keep it from dying. After I let it dry out for an hour or so it starts like normal. I'm fairly new to motorcycles and learning the ins and outs of my bike. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[steve hawkins]

Coil/HT circuit.

If you search, and you will not have to look far, you will find that the coils on these bikes do have a tendency to fail.  Its an age thing.

Take your tank off and closely inspect the coil for cracks on the ends.  Also you can have tracking down the HT leads and plug caps - so it might be worth changing them also.

Inspect the coil first though.

Cheers

Steve H

[montmil]

The Bosch OEM coil is often referred to as the Crack-O-Matic. Inspect it closely for hairline, almost invisible cracks. Replace with the trustworthy Dyna coil along with new HT leads and NGK spark plug caps.

Note the circular pattern of cracks on my old Cracker.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Welcome to the asylum Dirk!  Glad you're part of the family now.  Tell us what year LS you're riding.  Got any pictures?  Wanna see some?  Check out the Photo Gallery and feel free to post some.  The R65 Wiki site has some really good maintenance information on it.

[dirk_gently]

Thanks for the welcome and you guys are the absolute best. Is it best to go through motorrad elektrik for the brown coil, or is there somewhere better? Also my ls is an 82 and in overall good condition, as far as I can tell. I'll get pictures up later this weekend before I pull the tank.

I have one other problem that I'm not sure why I didn't think to ask before, which is: Very recently I've been getting some of what I would call chatter while shifting in lower gears, only very occasionally. When this happens the bike seems somewhat unwilling to go into a higher gear. I thought this might be something to do with the spline and I was going to grease it this weekend when I had enough time. Having read some of the threads here about spline lubrication I'm now incredibly worried that I'm far too late. Thoughts?

[Bob_Roller]

Not too uncommon for a dry spline to cause difficulty in shifting .

You're going to get to it shortly from the sound of it, I wouldn't put it off too much longer, chances are good, that you need to clean up the transmission shaft splines, and the mating splines on the clutch disc .

Also there is a throw out bearing at the back of the transmission, that needs a good cleaning, inspection and relube .


The clutch cable may need some attention as well .

[dirk_gently]

Not too uncommon for a dry spline to cause difficulty in shifting .

You're going to get to it shortly from the sound of it, I wouldn't put it off too much longer, chances are good, that you need to clean up the transmission shaft splines, and the mating splines on the clutch disc .

Also there is a throw out bearing at the back of the transmission, that needs a good cleaning, inspection and relube .


The clutch cable may need some attention as well .

 

The method I was planning on using was the one where the transmission slides back like an inch. What you're suggesting sounds much more in depth. There wouldn't happen to be a guide, would there?

[Bob_Roller]

At least one member here, NHMAF, was making up a how to do article on lubing the splines, I don't know if he can email you a rough draft of it or not .

[Yikes]

Snowbum has an article on lubing splines.  If you can wade through it, the information you need is in there along with a lot of information you won't even know if you need.  

  http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/inputsplinesthrowout.htm

Keep some aspirin handy for the eyestrain.  8-) I also am overdue a spline lube, but I haven't experienced any "symptoms" yet.  I've had my bike for 2 years and haven't checked it yet, but that unknown is making me reluctant to do any long mileage trips.   So I only do short trips which I understand is worse as far as requiring more frequent lubing. :-/

Good luck with it!

John M

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

For a new owner, I always recommend they pull the transmission at least the first time, to really check things out.
Yes, it is much more complicated and involved than simply sliding the tranny back, but you have the opportunity to check out so many other things, in the process.

For instance, you will be able to grab the input shaft (splines) and try and push the shaft in and out, to feel for play.  A minute amount is O.K., but too much slop and it indicates some shimming needs to be done.  How many miles on the bike?


My bike used to hate the rain.  Then I replaced the stock spark plug caps with NGKs, and I've never had another problem.
My bike never had the crackOmatic coil (earlier model), so I've never had to deal with that.

[nhmaf]

The article is complete as far as getting everything apart, and lubing the splines (and replacing the clutch assembly, which I had to do), but I haven't gotten round to going through the whole reassembly process.  But, that isn't too difficult.    Go to thw wiki page and look under Repair->Transmission->Clutch Replacement and that will get you most of the way there.   Feel free to PM me or post questions here.

It is a big project, especially for the first time, but if you take your time and be very methodical, you can end up with a nicely running bike in the end and it need not be a "dark tea time of the soul.."

You will need a special/modified tool or two (reduced diameter 27mm socket, for one) to deal with the swingarm locknuts, but you'll get more use out of these things as you do more maintenance on your bike and save hundreds of dollars over going to a dealer, who may not have anyone qualified to work on the airhead anyway....

[Ed Miller]

Dirk, I just noticed your "name" -- I love it.  Those are two of my favorite books.  

[dirk_gently]

Dirk, I just noticed your "name" -- I love it.  Those are two of my favorite books.  

Mine too.

I want to again thank everyone for your help. I picked up some Honda Moly 60 today and will tackle getting the transmission out tomorrow. My coil comes in next week and I'll install it asap.