Author Topic: Very bad running.  (Read 2727 times)

Offline Bradders

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Very bad running.
« on: July 28, 2023, 08:09:32 PM »
Evening all,

Riding into work this afternoon when suddenly my bike loses power, runs very rough and noisy. It now won’t rev above 4,000 rpm and stalls anywhere near tickover. It’s all happened very suddenly and has up until now been running nicely. Any ideas where I should start looking and what might be wrong with it? Thanks in advance.

Offline Sesman

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2023, 08:10:34 PM »
Start looking in gumtree..😁

Offline Sesman

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2023, 08:11:57 PM »
Seriously though, start with fuel and move onto ignition?

Offline K2-K6

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2023, 08:13:54 PM »
Start it from cold, run for 20 sec, check if all exhaust pipes are warm at the head.

If you've two cold, it's likely one of the ignition circuits, so which one's if that's the case.


Offline Bradders

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2023, 08:28:04 PM »
Start looking in gumtree..😁

I must admit it sounded terminal!

Offline Athame57

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2023, 08:39:05 PM »
I remember having this kind of trouble a few years back, bike forever on two pistons. I'm sure I just changed the coil belonging to the offending pistons and that solved it.
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2 called Elen.

Offline Sesman

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2023, 08:40:25 PM »
Yes, must admit the diagnostic process can be a real challenge, especially for me. Stay with it and keep us updated, we always get there in the end. Could be as simple as a broken wire or restricted fuel flow.

Offline robvangulik

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2023, 08:45:57 PM »
Or restricted air flow, not by any chance put your gloves under the seat, or rain gear...

Offline Bradders

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2023, 09:44:58 PM »
Thanks for your replies guys, hopefully 🙏 it will be something simple.

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2023, 03:07:14 AM »
Thanks for your replies guys, hopefully 🙏 it will be something simple.

Roo then.

Sorry Roo, couldn’t resist.
Kids in a the back seat cause accidents.
Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

Offline Laverdaroo

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2023, 08:23:56 AM »
Ooo, underhand Shot from Stockport there


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Mornings are the invention of the devil!

1977 CB550F (current money pit!!)
2002 VFR800 VTEC (The Beloved)
1977 CB400F (the last money pit!)
1998 Ducati 748\853 conversion(sold :()
1980 ish CB750KZ in a billion bits (need to get rid, anybody want one?))

Offline Bradders

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2023, 10:57:52 AM »
Morning.  Have had a quick look at my bikes running problems. Started and switched off as suggested after 20 seconds and it appeared that 2 and especially 3 exhaust pipes were cooler than 1and4.
Changed the plugs but still the same, took off the points cover and started the bike again and the points for 2 and 3 are sparking like mad! Any ideas why that might be? Sorry my knowledge is very limited.

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2023, 11:04:29 AM »
What is the visual condition of your coil and leads at the coil under the tank?

Is there any sign of the outside of the leads being cracked especially where they exit the coils. You might see some arcing of the spark if it's dark enough or an absence of spark  at the plug end.
« Last Edit: July 29, 2023, 11:14:34 AM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline Bradders

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #13 on: July 29, 2023, 11:20:18 AM »
The coil leads look fine with no cracking or arching. Am I right in thinking a bad condenser could cause points arcing?

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Very bad running.
« Reply #14 on: July 29, 2023, 11:24:33 AM »
Condensers are a magic little cylinder to me they can work perfectly  for years then suddenly fail or give trouble.

Apparently reliable new ones can be hard to find - others here will give you sources.

Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

 

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