problemo...

[TechMagic]

So over the weekend I went to install a bunch of stuff, mostly cosmetic, but turn signals included. Well I blew a fuse before I realized that I'd need resistors in-line so that my now entirely LED blinker system would work. The fuse didn't effect my one headlight or it's indicator on the dash so I didn't think (until it was too late) that it may have disabled my gas light. Well, it did and so I ran out of fuel twice, once thinking I didn't see the light with the sun, and again later just after I realized that I indeed didn't have a functional gas light. Anyway both times I had to put in 87 octane, the first time it was fresh, the second time it may have been pretty old. After the first fill up it ran just fine, after the second it was backfiring and konked on me several times. Later, I took it to a festival near my house and parked it, someone asked to hear it so I turned it back on, let him hear it rev, and then shut it off. Later when I came to start it, it turned over, backfiring and wouldn't idle, after that I held the throttle wide open by accident thinking like for a carburated engine. Anyway so I figured it's flooded, I pushed it to my aunt's and left it overnight. Came back the next day, would turn over but no firing, just like before I gave up the night before. After a minute the starter wouldn't even turn the engine over so once I got home I left the battery on the charger overnight. It's a brand new battery by the label. I got new plugs, did a plug change, nothing. Then I took a plug out and checked to see spark, nothing. The headlights are strong but the starter won't turn the engine over once again so it's back on the charger. Anyone have any ideas? I've checked all the fuses, they're good. I also noticed a barbed hose connection off the right side of the throttle body facing up, hasn't got a hose on it, I dunno what that's for either.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[XBear9S]

Well for starters you can't run an XB on 87 octane.
I think it's minimum 91 octane. Premium is usually 92.

Then, you should never run the tank dry.
First thing I was taught about motorcycles.
If ya suck it down to the bottom you get the crud.

Sounds like yer plugged and need to be flushed.

You probably flooded it trying to start it.
Then, if you keep trying, you kill the battery.

So, get a new fuel filter and charge the battery back up.
Flush out the cheap gas and get some octane.
Check the plugs and make sure they're not fouled up.
If it's running rough, you'll need to check the plugs anyways.
If you run it on bad gas, it'll foul them pretty quick.

Live and learn.
Hope that's the simple fix yer lookin' for...

Special K!
Central Texas Hill Country Hellbuellies
"I'm a Hellbuelly! What the hell are you?"

"Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle."

--Anonymous SageBuelly

 

[Stevenc150]

Yeah, I always run 93 octane. Starting it just to hear the music, your very likely to foul your plugs. Best thing to do is not start it unless your going to ride it. I've been running the NGK Iridium plugs (DCPR9EIX) for quite a while and they're great - almost foul-proof.

Seems like I've read that the barbed hose connection on the RH side of the throttle body you described is for the CA Canistor.

You mean, you're not getting a spark to the plugs with a Fully charged battery? What brand is the battery? It's hard to beat the HD Dealer brand batteries for our bikes.

 

[Buell_Cru]

If ya suck it down to the bottom you get the crud.

Not something I've looked at in detail but don't these tanks run off the bottom anyway??

 

[TechMagic]

Okay, charged all night, checked this morning with no plugs in, one against the head while plugged into the wire, and no spark. All while battery remained on charger. Second, yes I always run 93 I was in a pinch and will def NOT do it again! I also know running the pump out is not good. I did have NGK Iridiums in, and have replaced them now too.

How do I drain the frame on this bike? That's what I wanted to do but couldn't figure it out so I was going to run (by driving) the 87 out of it, I also added some 93 to the tank thinking it could only help, maybe I was wrong.

Fuel filter may be a good idea since the second batch of roadside fill up was from an old lady's lawn mower filler can from her garage... I at least checked that it wasn't mixed for 2 cycle okay?

What is the deal with no spark?? The battery was charging all night, was on the charger for testing, and all the lights are super bright, and the starter is engaging and turning the engine over... fuses are all good...I dunno wtf anyone ever had a bad wire trying to do a plug change? I use pliers to remove/replace the spark plug wires, could I have damaged them?

 

[Stevenc150]

I use pliers to remove/replace the spark plug wires, could I have damaged them?

You might have pulled the Coil end loose a little when changing your plugs. I did the first time. It must be a problem with your wires or your coil.

 

[TechMagic]

yea and that front wire is not too long, that's for sure! Working on the front plug is actually harder than the back one, at least on my bike. Maybe I should check continuity of the plug wires themselves and make sure they're plugged into the coil.

 

[Stevenc150]

This is out of the service manual. Describes how to check plug wires to see if they're good or not.

 

[TechMagic]

basically right now I think it's an electrical issue, what with fooling with the signals, shorting and blowing a fuse, and no spark. So I'm going to test the plug wires, what else can I test?

Also, how do I drain my tank? I'm going to page through my service manual when I get home but I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[TechMagic]

Just thought I'd update everyone for the sake of future reference. My problem was a bad connection at the plug located under the front pulley cover!

There is some kind of sensor in the tranny that runs to this plug, and the bad connection was not allowing spark. Wiggle it, and presto! I had spark then so I re-assembled the bike and let it run for a minute or two, wiggled the pug, bam, died. So for now I moved the plug out where I can wiggle it if there's an issue, and ordered a new wire/plug combo to replace it.

Boy am I glad to find this instead of having to replace the coil or ECM. I hope this helps someone avoid the same thing in the future.

 

[only1reds]

Glad you found what you were looking for [up]. Sorry for the mishap [smirk]