80 GS1KG cuts out, smells like gas.

[Gssheller]

80 GS1KG cuts out, smells like gas.

Just returned from a 2000 mile, week long trip to california. The bike ran flawlessly.

Started up the bike this am to get to work and as I was running down the highway it cut out and smelled like gas. It felt like I was running on 2 cylinders. After a bit, it came back, then cut out again.

Suggestions? Glad it made it home, but I still need it to run. ]

Thanks!!

Brian

[Seana23]

Hi babes.
Maybe the needle jet is a bit sticky...
Maybe the fuel filter is partially blocked...
Maybe the vent in the fuel cap is blocked...
Maybe the spark plugs are fouled...
Xxx

[Gssheller]

Hi babes.
Maybe the needle jet is a bit sticky...
Maybe the fuel filter is partially blocked...
Maybe the vent in the fuel cap is blocked...
Maybe the spark plugs are fouled...
Xxx

new plugs prior to trip.
do the other items seem likely after a 2000 mile trip? clean gas and de-corn additive the entire time. (actually always)

thanks!

[Larry D]

Normally sudden losses of power are electrical. I'd check your coils. Perhaps two cylinders aren't firing and you're smelling the unburnt fuel.

[Gssheller]

Normally sudden losses of power are electrical. I'd check your coils. Perhaps two cylinders aren't firing and you're smelling the unburnt fuel.

Thats the same line of thinking I've had. Can the coils go out and back in again? I thought once they were dead, they were dead.

[MisterCinders]

Thats the same line of thinking I've had. Can the coils go out and back in again? I thought once they were dead, they were dead.

Might be a loose connection at one of the coils. As it wears down, it will go out for good, but it currently (see what I did there?) is flicking in and out of connection.

I had a battery connection do this where the bike would die, but not blow a fuse, or stumble sometimes. Then it finally pooped out on me. After fiddling with the fuse and finding it had not blown, I saw that one of the battery wire connections had frayed and finally broke from the terminal.

HTH

[Gssheller]

Might be a loose connection at one of the coils. As it wears down, it will go out for good, but it currently (see what I did there?) is flicking in and out of connection.

I had a battery connection do this where the bike would die, but not blow a fuse, or stumble sometimes. Then it finally pooped out on me. After fiddling with the fuse and finding it had not blown, I saw that one of the battery wire connections had frayed and finally broke from the terminal.

HTH

Currently... clever!

I'll check the connections.

Thanks!
Brian

[Nessism]

How is your charging system and battery condition? I'd put a volt meter to the system if you haven't done so lately. You also might want to check your air filter and spark plugs. Also, how long since your last valve adjustment?

[Dogma]

Might be a loose connection at one of the coils. ...

My 850 did this to me exactly halfway through a 7-hour road trip. Get it home, or get it to the destination?

Anyhow, it turned out that the power wire into one of the coils had become brittle and broken off right where it enters the coil. The wire to the kill switch was beginning to exhibit similar symptoms. I could kill the bike by pushing on the harness under the tank.

This is one of the experiences that prompted me to tear down and rebuild the wiring harness on my 1000G after the stator shorted at RRR '10. There were a few stretches of wire I found either brittle or with chafed or cracked insulation. Breakdowns waiting to happen. The infamous red wire splice (R/R output) was the only factory solder connection I found with corrosion in it. What I'm trying to say is, you can't assume your electrical system is healthy just because it hasn't broken down yet. Get in there and inspect it.

[Gssheller]

My 850 did this to me exactly halfway through a 7-hour road trip. Get it home, or get it to the destination?

Anyhow, it turned out that the power wire into one of the coils had become brittle and broken off right where it enters the coil. The wire to the kill switch was beginning to exhibit similar symptoms. I could kill the bike by pushing on the harness under the tank.

This is one of the experiences that prompted me to tear down and rebuild the wiring harness on my 1000G after the stator shorted at RRR '10. There were a few stretches of wire I found either brittle or with chafed or cracked insulation. Breakdowns waiting to happen. The infamous red wire splice (R/R output) was the only factory solder connection I found with corrosion in it. What I'm trying to say is, you can't assume your electrical system is healthy just because it hasn't broken down yet. Get in there and inspect it.

At least it got me home before it started giving me grief!!

[Gssheller]

Decided to check the compression and cylinder #2 only has 40psi. Not good. I have a feeling that I'm dealing with a bad coil/wire AND a bad cylinder. Pretty sure a dead cylinder doesn't go in and out!!

I guess it's time to pull the motor and get it rebuilt. Anybody in the PNW have a spare I can buy while I get this done? I ride this darned thing everyday!!

Thanks!!
Brian

[Dogma]

Decided to check the compression and cylinder #2 only has 40psi. Not good. I have a feeling that I'm dealing with a bad coil/wire AND a bad cylinder. Pretty sure a dead cylinder doesn't go in and out!!

I guess it's time to pull the motor and get it rebuilt. Anybody in the PNW have a spare I can buy while I get this done? I ride this darned thing everyday!!

Thanks!!
Brian

First tell us if the valves have been adjusted. Or did I miss it? Tight valves will cause loss of compression and eventually burning of valves.