Electrical gremlins?
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:42 pmMy bike is stalling when I stop at intersections and the like. Lighting systems are still alive and the ignition lights are working as well. The tacho gives a bit of a hiccup and then the engine dies. It is difficult to restart most times, although it seems that it can often be coaxed by turning the key off and back on, at which point it starts normally. It did this once in a blue moon since I first got the bike and a couple of times it has died while at highway speed. I can keep it running by revving it as it only seems do do it at low revs. The IC igniter was replaced with a second hand unit a couple of months ago and it hadn't stalled since then.
But ... a few days ago I replaced the coils with the coil on plug type from a ZX6. The thing has played up since. Now this is a reasonably common modification and nobody has reported a problem like mine after doing it.
The problem can be replicated 'on the bench' by turning on all the electrics. High and low beam together, brake, hazards and grip heaters. This, and turning the key off and back on, is what convinces me that it is electrical and not fuel related. HM has convinced himself that it is the ignition switch restricting voltage somehow. Worn/corroded contacts? I'm not so sure, but have ordered a new one anyway.
But ... a few days ago I replaced the coils with the coil on plug type from a ZX6. The thing has played up since. Now this is a reasonably common modification and nobody has reported a problem like mine after doing it.
The problem can be replicated 'on the bench' by turning on all the electrics. High and low beam together, brake, hazards and grip heaters. This, and turning the key off and back on, is what convinces me that it is electrical and not fuel related. HM has convinced himself that it is the ignition switch restricting voltage somehow. Worn/corroded contacts? I'm not so sure, but have ordered a new one anyway.