wont accelerate, coughs and stops...?

[benlawlor85]

Hi all.

Its been ages since i have been on here, and the bike (R65 mono) has been running pretty well. Untill the other day. on the way home from work after having difficulty starting her she would cough and splutter over about 2k RPM. Finally she cleared and i got home.

Not a clue what it could be. i have checked the plugs, they are fine, but not really sure where to start.

The big problem i have at the moment is that my shed is Full - R1100GS in bits. so the R65 is outside!!!! with a cover on her when weather is really bad.  Im wondering if the spluttering could be due to water getting in fuel?

Any other ideas at all?

Cheers
Ben

[montmil]

Hey, Ben

If you're concerned about water in the fuel, simply drop the float bowls and look for water globs within the fuel.

With the bowls off, turn on the fuel tap and confirm you have proper flow. Go ahead and gently lift the floats to confirm the needle and seat are doing their jobs for you... since you're already in there.

You're not likely to be able to see any water in the fuel tank, so pulling the tank and draining it is your choice. Unless you have duel petcocks, there's always some remaining fuel on the right side of the tank. Could be some water hiding there.

OEM Coils?

Monte

[benlawlor85]

Hi,
I will check the floats later.
Bike has the OEM coil. its a mono so has the single coil.
what else could be making it run as it does? Bean can having problems?
its my only means of transport at the moment and not having it reliable is not fun!

Thanks for the quick reply.

Ben

[benlawlor85]

Hi again,
Just taken floats off, loads of water in there probs 30% water!!!!
Thanks Monte. goes to show however much work you have done on a bike before something new however easy can stump you!
Cheers
and Merry Christmas to everyone on here!!

Ben

[azcycle]

Good to hear it was an easy solution!

[Bob_Roller]

How does the seal on the fuel cap look ?

I've put clear in-line fuel filters on my R65's, they seem to catch the water before it gets to the carbs .

http://www.itw-fastex-cva.com/images/stories/data-shts/visufilter/8437-00-9909.PDF

Don't know if anything like these filters are available in your region .

Ignition coils and spark plug leads will give you problems in damp weather as well, as Monte has mentioned .

May want to give them a good inspection as well, if the wires are quite old, you may want to replace them before they leave you stranded in wet weather .

[montmil]

Hi again,
Just taken floats off, loads of water in there probs 30% water!!!!
Thanks Monte. goes to show however much work you have done on a bike before something new however easy can stump you!
Cheers
and Merry Christmas to everyone on here!!

Ben

"I love it when a plan comes together."   –Hannibal...  Smith, not Lecter

[montmil]

Bike has the OEM coil. its a mono so has the single coil.

Several models of the twin-shock R65s have the single coil; frequently known as the Crack-O-Matic and a cause of erratic running when tiny, all but invisible, hairline cracks develop.

Monte

[benlawlor85]

I have the paper clear fuel filters on the bike.... think they need to be replaced tho. As for the coil i will check it next time i have the tank off i think it was just the water causing the probs. I will also check fuel cap seal its probably original! another item for the list no doubt!

[montmil]

This is the original single, gray and black Bosch Crack-O-Matic coil off my 1981 R65. The engine had developed poor performance. Note the small, circular pattern cracks. The cracks were invisible under a patina of dust until the coil was wiped clean. Engine operations were worse during damp weather.



A Dyna "Brown" coil from Motorrad Elektrik http://www.motoelekt.com/ignition.htm plus new ignition wires and NGK plug caps cured all issues. The '83 R65 received the same treatment although it had not yet begun to display symptoms.

[Matt Chapter]

Back when my R65 had the "crack-o-matic", it was very sensitive to moisture..

Once, I took it into a dealer for something, and they sprayed down the bike... it was at least an hour before it would even start.  I can also remember several instances of riding in the rain, and then suddenly developing full engine stop.

These incidents usually resulted in a horizontal beemer and a lot of swearing.

[Milo_357]

Hi,
I will check the floats later.
Bike has the OEM coil. its a mono so has the single coil.
what else could be making it run as it does? Bean can having problems?
its my only means of transport at the moment and not having it reliable is not fun!

Thanks for the quick reply.

Ben

Hate to say it, but I had the same problem.  Bike would fire up, would rev for a bit, run about 50ft and crap out.  Does yours do this?

Bean can.   I bought a parts bike, replaced the can, and boom, runs like a top now.

Can Rick @ Motorrad Elektrik, 866-668-6353.  WAY cool dude, helped diagnose my problem over the phone.  Plus he has solutions if you need them

Good luck!

Dell

[benlawlor85]

Hi All,
After being left outside but on charge and under a good cover the bike wouldnt start this morning... had to push her! :-(

the coil isnt like the pic above but like
http://www.motorworks.co.uk/bmw/prodimages/lg/ELA44426.jpg

Not sure what to do next. might buy a new battery.
But also considering getting rid of it.
Going back to a R65 mono from the GS was not good

The GS would always start etc etc... but then it was 12years younger!
anyone have any ideas?

[Bob_Roller]

The picture you have is of an OEM coil for later airhead bikes .

You need to due some troubleshooting, before replacing  parts .

 How old is the battery ?

Is it a serviceable type, or sealed ?

If it's a serviceable type, what is the specific gravity of the electrolyte when it is fully charged, should be 1.290 fully charged .

If the battery is suspect, wouldn't be a bad idea to have it load tested to be sure it's at fault, just to be sure .

[Barry]

... but then it was 12years younger!

When everything is right an airhead of any age should start on the button. Mine did on Christmas day after being stood since 1st Dec.

Is your petrol fresh ? One thing I always do when the bikes been stood a while is empty the float bowls and let them refill with fresher fuel from the tank. After only 24 days nearly half the fuel in the bowls had evaporated. The more volatile fractions would have gone so it's asking a lot to expect it to start on what was left.

It cant' have been too cold in Cornwall recently but being outside under a cover could there have been some condensation affecting the ignition.