Bad conscience causing the bad insomnia? :dunno: :-0)
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Bad conscience causing the bad insomnia? :dunno: :-0)
No, irritation at being asked increasingly stupid questions:-0)
On the plus side, slept from 8.15 last night to 4.35 this morning, can't remember last time I slept for that long@tu*
J
Jaybird2000
Guest
So, i decided to get to know my bike and take it apart (with a manual). Got down to the filter (which seemed the standard fitted one to me, no K&N label)
It looked ok, but not sure if the backside is meant to be perfectly clean or not, it looked a bit sooty, but not bad. I cleaned it with air and tapped it out.
Got three of the spark plugs out, a couple were a bit sooty, but nothing like the pic in the manual to suggest there were real problems. Couldn't get the last one on the right as its behind a pipe that wouldn't shift.
So its possible that one is the problem i suppose. Put redex into a new tankful and drove to london, felt marginally better i thought, smoother after 4000 revs but when i hit low speeds and traffic it was back to being a juddering, chugging monster, very hot and difficult to ride at low speed, had to keep over-revving to keep it going, and stop it stalling.
Would 1 cylinder under performing/misfiring cause this? Never had an FI warning light, and have checked the injectors and cleaned them too.
I suppose i've got to put her in the shop for proper assessment.
Thanks for your help so far, loom fix sounds expensive, what does it mean a complete re wire?:bang:
It looked ok, but not sure if the backside is meant to be perfectly clean or not, it looked a bit sooty, but not bad. I cleaned it with air and tapped it out.
Got three of the spark plugs out, a couple were a bit sooty, but nothing like the pic in the manual to suggest there were real problems. Couldn't get the last one on the right as its behind a pipe that wouldn't shift.
So its possible that one is the problem i suppose. Put redex into a new tankful and drove to london, felt marginally better i thought, smoother after 4000 revs but when i hit low speeds and traffic it was back to being a juddering, chugging monster, very hot and difficult to ride at low speed, had to keep over-revving to keep it going, and stop it stalling.
Would 1 cylinder under performing/misfiring cause this? Never had an FI warning light, and have checked the injectors and cleaned them too.
I suppose i've got to put her in the shop for proper assessment.
Thanks for your help so far, loom fix sounds expensive, what does it mean a complete re wire?:bang:
Dickiebird
Registered User
If you've got a soldering iron and some solder the loom fix is F.O.C. Read all about it at the top the page. Should take you about 2 hrs to do . You won't regret it.@tu*
noobie
Clueless in most things
The loom fix is quite easy and cheap as long as you know how to solder
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=16438
Can I ask, did you try taking the plugs out from the front or, tank and airbox off and in from the top?
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=16438
Can I ask, did you try taking the plugs out from the front or, tank and airbox off and in from the top?
J
Jaybird2000
Guest
I took the tank off and went in through the top. I checked 3 but couldnt get to the last properly and didnt want to risk forcing it.
If you use the plug spanner in the tool kit all four plugs are relatively easy to remove - it may look cheap and nasty but it does the job very well.
Don't take a chance on the air filter, just bin the old one and replace. It may look ok but these things have a service life for a reason. Also it may have got contaminated somehow which would knacker it.
There is much evidence pointing toward the air filter possibly being the source of the problem so I would encourage you to go for it. The worst that can happen is that you eliminate the filter as the cause of getting problem.
I would also encourage you to check the coolant, both level and content, as overheating might again be a simple,fix. The radiator on the Bird is very vulnerable, give it a visual and clean as best as you can. Give it a good soak in Muc Off:bow: or similar then blow through from the back to clear any crap out. I used a pressure washer on a mist setting with no issues, others will frown at this.
Neither of these will take long and are both cheap to do. They may not solve the problem but each one ticked off will at worst get you nearer to the solution.
As above, loom fix is mandatory I'm afraid - if it isn't causing problems now it will at some point. Took me about 45 minutes.
Don't take a chance on the air filter, just bin the old one and replace. It may look ok but these things have a service life for a reason. Also it may have got contaminated somehow which would knacker it.
There is much evidence pointing toward the air filter possibly being the source of the problem so I would encourage you to go for it. The worst that can happen is that you eliminate the filter as the cause of getting problem.
I would also encourage you to check the coolant, both level and content, as overheating might again be a simple,fix. The radiator on the Bird is very vulnerable, give it a visual and clean as best as you can. Give it a good soak in Muc Off:bow: or similar then blow through from the back to clear any crap out. I used a pressure washer on a mist setting with no issues, others will frown at this.
Neither of these will take long and are both cheap to do. They may not solve the problem but each one ticked off will at worst get you nearer to the solution.
As above, loom fix is mandatory I'm afraid - if it isn't causing problems now it will at some point. Took me about 45 minutes.
carry on the sentence Andy
..... before I gave up and asked the Butler to do the job properly !
F1sh1ing
8rfl@
Just a thought ..... could it be plug leads ? Or anything electrical ??
Not sure if a weak spark would cause similar symptoms ?? And under load the spark maybe stronger ??
Possibly, but I would address the known Bird weaknesses before making it more complicated.
Brunel didn't think of everything when he designed the Bird you know.
Might even be a weak charging system but that's for another day.....:whi5tl:
J
Jaybird2000
Guest
Thanks,
I'm gonna do the loom fix when i get it back deffo, but from reading the other thread, it looks like most loom problems involve the FI light going loopy and mine has not.
My instinct is its misfiring in one or more cylinders or the fuel pump is faulty so i've put it into a garage for proper check. More money but i'm not yet skilled enough to solve this on my own.
I'll let u know what they say, it may be useful for others
brok3
I'm gonna do the loom fix when i get it back deffo, but from reading the other thread, it looks like most loom problems involve the FI light going loopy and mine has not.
My instinct is its misfiring in one or more cylinders or the fuel pump is faulty so i've put it into a garage for proper check. More money but i'm not yet skilled enough to solve this on my own.
I'll let u know what they say, it may be useful for others
brok3
I am wondering if the cold start circuit is playing up and making it run rich..
That is what the symptoms sound like.. as if it is 8 stroking .
About the only other things that might cause it is the the fuel pressure regulator on the end of the spray bar, or the throttle position sensor perhaps ?
That is what the symptoms sound like.. as if it is 8 stroking .
About the only other things that might cause it is the the fuel pressure regulator on the end of the spray bar, or the throttle position sensor perhaps ?
J
Jaybird2000
Guest
Bike all done and as advised by many of you (thanks) new plugs, clean air filter and a throttle balance, have sorted it. Bird is now awesome and pulls your arms like it should.
Been reading some other threads and i see many wonder about how hot a bird should get:whi5tl:
Ive got a y bird with dial temp gauge, if i'm not riding along over 40 or so, its very quickly at 3 quarters to the red, and it seems to inch closer and closer.
2 questions when is the fan meant to kick in (in terms of the dial gauge) is it when on red or before?
I used to have a fazer1000 and the fan was very noticeable when it kicked in, but the blackbird engine is so loud im not sure i can hear any change even when in traffic, should i check the circuits?
Been reading some other threads and i see many wonder about how hot a bird should get:whi5tl:
Ive got a y bird with dial temp gauge, if i'm not riding along over 40 or so, its very quickly at 3 quarters to the red, and it seems to inch closer and closer.
2 questions when is the fan meant to kick in (in terms of the dial gauge) is it when on red or before?
I used to have a fazer1000 and the fan was very noticeable when it kicked in, but the blackbird engine is so loud im not sure i can hear any change even when in traffic, should i check the circuits?
noobie
Clueless in most things
Mine had a dial needle about 2 thirds as normal temp and sometimes went to three quarters/lust past on V hot days but then the fan kicked in.
Try getting your bird upto temp and just let it just get hot whilst standing still. I'm sure you will hear the fan kick in.
Try getting your bird upto temp and just let it just get hot whilst standing still. I'm sure you will hear the fan kick in.
Doesn't sound unusual....the Bird does run hot and the gauge is little more than a very broad indicator of what is going on temperature wise, hardly a precision instrument,
As above give the radiator a good clean - it is easy enough to take it out for a thorough job if you feel inclined - and changing the coolant is never going to be a bad thing.
If not already fitted, a Fender Extenda (from JAWS) will help keep the vulnerable radiator in good nick.
As above give the radiator a good clean - it is easy enough to take it out for a thorough job if you feel inclined - and changing the coolant is never going to be a bad thing.
If not already fitted, a Fender Extenda (from JAWS) will help keep the vulnerable radiator in good nick.