'07 1800t. All stock. I was out the other day, bike ran great for over 100 kms. Stopped for 30 minutes off lunch. When I took off again I got up to 100 kph for about 5 minutes and suddenly I couldn't accelerate, engine was backfiring badly, no power. Once I got stopped I see one of the mufflers turning brown/blue. The engine will start and idle, even rev up in neutral but if I try to ride it if just acts like it will die. Thoughts or suggestions please.
Start by pulling your sparkplugs and see how they compare. Wet? Stone white? Something in between? Next check your battery connections to be sure they are tight. Check all plug connectors under the seat to be sure there's no damage and they are all secure. Then do the ground fix as outlined in the "how to" section of this forum. Look for broken or frayed wires where they terminate. If that doesn't help then, based on your plug read, have your injectors cleaned. Have you had the bike since new? If not, it's possible the previous owner had a fuel manager in place and the old wire splice may have broken, especially going to the throttle position sensor.
The only thing I can think of to add to Sojourners excellent advice is the possibility of a vacuum leak. This would cause the hot pipe you describe. Check the clamps on the intake manifold between cylinders. Access from left side with 4mm (if memory serves) allen. I clamp the short end in a small pair of vise grips to make the reach easier. I find mine need to be snugged up every spring. Also check ALLvacuum lines.
Ok! Something got loose. You are doing great then suddenly not so great. Start with electronics as in batt cables or ground fix and other possible wiring connects as in fuel controller and don't forget spark plug connections.
The vibrations make us tighten everything down to prevent surprises.
Giving it full throttle while it's running like crap is never good and never fixes the problem.
1. Tighten battery cables
2. Do the Ground fix, only doing the Common electronics ground section, as seen on the "How To;Step-by-Step" board
Any flashing codes on the FI light???
I believe you lost spark on one cylinder, injector still shooting fuel into the cylinder.
At cold start you have a few seconds to put your fingers on the pipes to see if hot or cold.
Stocks pipes have a crossover so raw fuel on one side can be ignited by flame from the other pipe/cylinder.
Running lean increases exhaust temps but fuel burning in the pipe is another issue.
A plug check may show something...
After a few seconds of running a dead cylinder should have wet sparkplugs.
ID the cylinder affected, check ignition coil wiring from ECM to ignition coil...
All 4 plugs were fouled when removed. Another friend suggested the voltage regulator. $$$ part but it did the job.....kinda. Took the bike out tonight once it was back together. It accelerates no problem but still runs pretty rough. Compared exhaust air flow and is equal from both pipes so I don't think it's clogged. Smells rich too. More investigation needed after it cools off
So the problem is the bike is running rich in both cylinders. A weak ignition or over pressure in the fuel delivery system can cause that. My first inclination is a weak ignition in your case. Easy to check initially by pulling a plug wire from one of the shallow plugs, stick a bolt in the cap and fire up your bike. Don't ground yourself during this test. Hold the cap with the bolt close to the cylinder head and see how strong the spark is moving the cap to and away from the head. You should get a quarter of an inch easily before starting to loose the spark. Do the same with the other cylinder. If that checks out move to the fuel delivery system. One way or the other, do the ground fix as outlined in this forum. Good luck.
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