My 9 needs to HTFU...

[Mel]

She don't like the cold!

Any decent ride outta town in sub 10 degrees will see her erm not running well (like it has a flat spot or something?) will just kinda hesitate for a bit before roaring back into life (lots of fun mid-corner ) The commute is not much fun with this going on either.

But as soon as the temperature warms up a little - all the problems disappear and she purrs along like the awesome bit of machinery she is supposed to be.

How can I fix this? It is driving me mad and it's not even winter yet!!!!!

[Glen]

Sounds like you have the old icing up problem. Kawasaki used to put a de-icing kit on the 98 models under warranty. Maybe have a chat to a Kwaka dealer or see if someone has the modded carbs (from memory I think it's just the bowls which they pump a bit of warm water around).

I suspect Mick will be well aware of the problem

[Stace]

I agree, I know it happened to a few 9's in Ballarat. When the techs came out from Japan they came to Ballarat and Canberra, Apparently it's the only 2 places in Australia it happens

[MickLC]

Given how cold it will probably end up being this Friday when he head off for HG, if you want I'll have a ride of it for a bit and see if it feels like the carb icing I used to get. If it's going to happen it will most likely happen first up when we are plodding along in the cold at a steady pace with small throttle openings.

For my 9 it usually only happened on the colder mornings if I didn't warm it up real well, or in the situation above on longer rides, especially if it was damp as well as cold.

[Mel]

Thanks Mick

I try to warm the bike up, I don't take off until it's showing two bars in the temp thingo and it's usually hit three by the time I get to the end of my street. But yeah start having problems after I have been running at around 100km/h for a little while (closer to work, around Murrumbatemen, Bungendore, that sort of distance).

[MickLC]

Definitely sounds like icing then. Unfortunately, as far as I know, there's not a lot you can do beyond what Glen suggested


The worst I had it was around Nimmitabel one year, it was only a couple of degrees and had been drizzling rain constantly. We were sitting on a steady 120km/h and it just kept spluttering away until I cracked the throttle open for a bit and cleared it....so I was wasn't actually sitting on a steady 120km/h most of the time but it got pretty interesting in the slippery conditions when it did clear its throat

[Phil]

Yep, sounds like carb icing Mel, mine does it and elevation makes it worse as well. The carb heaters are the way to go - still I havent done it to mine and I have 2 sts of carbs in the garage, spose I should see if they are equipped with the heaters.

[Stace]

How can I fix this? It is driving me mad and it's not even winter yet!!!!!

Move away from Canberra, But stay away from Ballarat

[the kid]

Ok so the carb iceing issue has bee sensibly addressed , if not cured .
Now Mel , why bother getting up so early when its Cold ? The 9 being the worlds greatest motorcycle knows full well that lingering a little longer at home in the warmth is far better for you .
Perhaps sharing a cup of Twinnings with your 9 , like I do , in the morning will make both of you a lot more able to cope with the daily grind . ( thats not coffee BTW )
Good luck , and make sure its not a T bag , use a pot , theres a Dear .

[Tinman]

Yep sounds like you need a Fuel Injected bike

[Phil]

Perhaps sharing a cup of Twinnings with your 9 , like I do , in the morning will make both of you a lot more able to cope with the daily grind . ( thats not coffee BTW )
Good luck , and make sure its not a T bag , use a pot , theres a Dear .

Now that sounds like a fine idea, Irish and English breakfast are good that time of the day - and Earl Grey is acceptable at all times.

Remember to use proper tea and not those bags

[IsleofNinja]

Come on Mel the poor bloody thing has never seen a sub 10 degree day all it's life till you took it from it's nice warm sunny home

Just give it a chance to aclimatise (Oh and a carb de icing kit as per above might help)

[Mel]

hehehe

OK I'm off to go have a cuppa twinings with the 9 to try and woo her into behaving on the way to work this morning (it is 5 degrees though so shouldn't be as bad as yesterday )

Perhaps I should move to WA... she was probably very happy in winter there!

Guess the local kwaka dealer is the best place to start re the carbie heater thing... though perhaps I could knit the carbies some little cardigans or something?

Thanks guys

[Phil]

I rode mine to work today - spins up easy on wet roads . No carb icing issues here in Sydney thought, it is positively balmy

[ZXRobyn]

two words . . . . . . HOTHAM BOND !!