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FlyinCustard
21-10-09, 11:19 AM
Since the weather has dropped slightly I noticed a problem with the bike which is steadily getting worse.

It goes like this...

I get the bike out the garage in the mornin, warm it up with the choke until it's idling at around 1500rpm without the choke.

I set off on the comute to work which is only about 2 miles.

Whilst riding the engine sounds rather tickety and when I pull the clutch in for junctions and such like the revs drop to around 750rpm and often cuts out.

I had a similar problem last year but figured out that i'd been leaving the choke on and it was flooding the engine with fuel every time i dipped the clutch.

This time I have made sure that the choke is fully off.

When running the bike often seams to run lumpy and also seams to be poppin and burblin a lot more than before. Which with my very limited knowledge suggest maybe a problem with fueling.Especially when I also add a drop in mpg.

Any ideas from the mighty org?

Cheers
Rich

GavinD
21-10-09, 11:33 AM
sounds like you choke cable has got a bit of stiction if its presenting the same symptoms as last time - lift the tank a see if the choke is actually returning when you press the lever back

GavinD
21-10-09, 11:34 AM
p.s warming the bike on the choke isn't the best thing to do as it basically washes the protective layer of oil off your working surfaces in the engine, start it and ride it with a little choke as you can get away with.

Spiderman
21-10-09, 11:37 AM
how old is your air filter?

FlyinCustard
21-10-09, 11:53 AM
how old is your air filter?

I don't know, I bought the bike in April, and it's a t reg with 30k on it. no service history

GavinD
21-10-09, 11:59 AM
I'd still try making sure your choke cable is free

Might be the valve clearances if they've never been done.

Alpinestarhero
21-10-09, 12:45 PM
I too used to have this problem. You may be getting some carb icing; 2 miles is not really long and the engine wont be up to tempurature really. First thing is to get the carbs serviced; get them balanced, and while your there get the choke plungers cleaned and greased up (and nthe choke cable)

You may, in the mean time, wish to try running shell V-power just as an experiment; On very cold misty days I had problems with carb icing until the engine was properly warm, the engine would cut out just as you describe. Using shell V-power though prevents this (at least, I have observed this).

With regards to valve clearances, do get them checked since you have no service history. Have you serviced other things (oil, oil filter, spark plugs, air filter)?

Keep us posted,

Matt

Biker Biggles
21-10-09, 12:56 PM
I don't know, I bought the bike in April, and it's a t reg with 30k on it. no service history

If you dont know when it was last serviced then get it serviced.

GavinD
21-10-09, 02:18 PM
If you dont know when it was last serviced then get it serviced.


+1

probably due a brake service, fluids etc!

FlyinCustard
21-10-09, 03:48 PM
thanks all, i've got to take the bike in this weekend for a tyre so i'll ask for a price on a service.

would this include a carb service or would you expect to have to ask for this especially?

Alpinestarhero
21-10-09, 05:23 PM
thanks all, i've got to take the bike in this weekend for a tyre so i'll ask for a price on a service.

would this include a carb service or would you expect to have to ask for this especially?

If your unsure what it entails, ask what it entails. If they wont do everything, then request the things they didnt say they'll do :)

GavinD
22-10-09, 08:32 AM
It depends whether they are working to the suzuki service schedule or not, correct me if I'm wrong but 30k is the big one with;

Valve clearances
Carbs serviced
Brakes serviced

Its either 24 or 30k in the suzuki schedule but if you just ask them for a general service you'll get the usual iol/filter and cleaned air filter.

FlyinCustard
22-10-09, 04:46 PM
money is tight at the mo so when I rang my locla garage up to do my rear tyre I asked if they could have a look at carbs/choke for me. He's gave me a price of £130 for the tyre fitted inc vat and he's going to spend half an hour on the carbs/choke for free. Then next payday ill look at getting a major service done.

I'll get a price off him when I take it in.

What would you expect to pay for a full service including valve balancing? This isn't a dealer just a motorbike service garage.

For anyone in the area that's interested, it's Redline, just off Storforth Lane, 01246 554657.

steve.w
22-10-09, 08:36 PM
Ayup mate
Might be worth having a chat with Eric in stavely E W Motorcycle repairs,
Top man Eric proper old fashioned mechanic. Did some work few months back for me on the KLR only charged a fraction of the real time he spent on labour.

I asked why labour cost was not more his reply was "you can only charge so much then its taking the **** innit" I bunged him a few extra quid and still felt well happy with the price. Nice bloke won't rip you off.

FlyinCustard
22-10-09, 08:57 PM
Ayup mate
Might be worth having a chat with Eric in stavely E W Motorcycle repairs,
Top man Eric proper old fashioned mechanic. Did some work few months back for me on the KLR only charged a fraction of the real time he spent on labour.

I asked why labour cost was not more his reply was "you can only charge so much then its taking the **** innit" I bunged him a few extra quid and still felt well happy with the price. Nice bloke won't rip you off.

Alrite

Av u got a number? Is that the place just down the road from the new Staveley Fire Station?

steve.w
22-10-09, 09:16 PM
01246 477664 he is opposite the mini roundabout end of Duke Street mate.
As you ride past the new leisure centre heading towards Mastin Moor he is on the right hand side of the first roundabout.

Forgot to say Burnout in Clay Cross are pretty cheap for tyres just had a BT021 rear fitted on the GSR ride in ride out £107

Dave20046
22-10-09, 09:29 PM
If you dont know when it was last serviced then get it serviced.
I did the oil on it at the start of the season

custard sounds like ur carb choke plungers

Dave20046
22-10-09, 09:31 PM
oops just read your takin it to a garage, I know a good garage in sheffield might be able to wangle you a discount. if he can get you in at all hes usually packed.

FlyinCustard
23-10-09, 11:09 AM
oops just read your takin it to a garage, I know a good garage in sheffield might be able to wangle you a discount. if he can get you in at all hes usually packed.


Yea I'm takin it in for the tyre on Sat, I need a full service tho, so if you can get me a price from him then I don't mind ridin up to sheff.

I'll make sure I bring my body armour tho:smt070

FlyinCustard
23-10-09, 11:10 AM
01246 477664 he is opposite the mini roundabout end of Duke Street mate.
As you ride past the new leisure centre heading towards Mastin Moor he is on the right hand side of the first roundabout.

Forgot to say Burnout in Clay Cross are pretty cheap for tyres just had a BT021 rear fitted on the GSR ride in ride out £107

Yea I know that Burnout aren't too bad, they quoted me the same price as Redline off Storforth Lane and thats closer to me.

Dave20046
23-10-09, 11:18 AM
Yea I'm takin it in for the tyre on Sat, I need a full service tho, so if you can get me a price from him then I don't mind ridin up to sheff.

I'll make sure I bring my body armour tho:smt070
I'm going in today for some copper washers (grr brake bleeding) I'll get ya a price on the full service including valve clearances and pm you. Tyre you'd be best going elsewhere for. Your running issues are something seperate though - bet you it's the choke plungers. Actually I have some brass ones somewhere they might do a better job against rust.

boot
23-10-09, 08:11 PM
(grr brake bleeding)

Thought you liked bleeding brakes Dave?

I'm hoping to get some tubing and fabricate a carb balancing thingamy this weekend, as per Old Git's advice.

Custard, if you fancy getting your hands dirty, get yerself some oil, a filter and a new crush washer for the sump and bob the bike and yourself over here, if you fancy saving a few quid.

My last independent garage service was £80 and they didn't actually do the job. Fortunately, I didn't pay them either, as I hadn't asked for it to be serviced.

Dave20046
23-10-09, 08:17 PM
I'm actually getting damn good at bleeding brakes, just took the calipers off like a dildo underestimating how seized the pistons were. Had to put them back on but was bled up within 10 minutes and just popped them out. In the middle of doin the brakes now, doing the dreaded spark plugs tomorrow (I hate the front cylinder)

Apparently before it's worth carb balancing it's best to have had the bike recently serviced and running properly

boot
23-10-09, 08:37 PM
You've had more than your fair share of practise. ;)

Other than the spark plug/water issue, my bike runs very well. I don't think the carbs need balancing - it's more of a cursory check. I'm getting it ready for winter, and don't want to leave things until it gets colder. Last March I spent a weekend in the snow and rain, working on the 110 TD5 I had - the cold takes the fun and reward out of it, and makes jobs so much slower.

FlyinCustard
23-10-09, 10:42 PM
Thought you liked bleeding brakes Dave?

I'm hoping to get some tubing and fabricate a carb balancing thingamy this weekend, as per Old Git's advice.

Custard, if you fancy getting your hands dirty, get yerself some oil, a filter and a new crush washer for the sump and bob the bike and yourself over here, if you fancy saving a few quid.

My last independent garage service was £80 and they didn't actually do the job. Fortunately, I didn't pay them either, as I hadn't asked for it to be serviced.


I have only just replaced oil and filter about a month ago, but thanks for the invite:cool:

The only service history I know of is that I bought the bike in April, just after Dave123456789 did an oil swap for me, then 3.5k later which was last month I dropped the oil and filter again.

I'll let you all know what the garage has to say 2moro afternoon.

FlyinCustard
24-10-09, 04:10 PM
I've had the tyre done, It seams the problem is with the valve timing. And this is not allowing the engine to exhaust the gases, hence giving the same affect as leaving the choke on.

He has quoted me £299 for a full major service including the valve timing and everything else greased up, topped up and inspected/ replaced.

Although he offered it me at £269 as I've only just done the oil and filter.

I must commend the service I recieved at Redline Motorcycle Service Centre, Chesterfield. It was nothing other than excellent from start to finish. I didn't feel daft for not knowing too much about the engine workings etc. He really looked after me and I'd strongly recomend anyone in the area to use them.

Is there a good garage thread/list on here? Maybe an idea for the future if not.

Cheers to the might .org for all the help by the way:notworthy:

Dave20046
24-10-09, 04:23 PM
Have you had the service done then?

Shop in sheffield quoted £135 + parts for the full major service, and I'm thinking parts ain't much!
That's not including getting it running right though..

FlyinCustard
24-10-09, 04:33 PM
no i ant, ant got that kinda cash to throw about at min.

£135+parts+valve timing then?

do you think parts and sorting valve timing would cost another £130?

Dave20046
24-10-09, 04:36 PM
That's including checking your valve gaps

I'd guess parts'll be around £55 including airfilter.

If I was you I'd get whoever you take it to to sort out the running problem at the same time as the service as I guess the problem will be your choke plungers and when they service it they'll be taking your plastics and tank off anyway. If you want your carbs balancing then I'd get that done at the same time too.