|
25 Sep 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Yarm
Posts: 25
|
|
Running problems?
Hi folks,
I'm currently preping my 99' suzuki dr650SE for an african tour. The main things which are bothering me at the moment is the fact the bike does not start first time and when finally running it spits and splutters as if its missing every other firing, and similarly anything below 3rd gear at slow speed and the bikes feels very ropey. Being a novice to the world of mechanics and motorbikes in general I am guessing it could be due to the carb??
I've recently fitted the 4.9IMS tank and due to the new petcock arrangement had to fit a cap on the vacuum hose outlet, could this be affecting the running?
Also how easy is it to change the steering head berings since these have also seen their last days.
Any help would be much appreciated,
cheers
|
25 Sep 2008
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
|
|
If this problem is new since you fitted the big tank then check that the carb is getting enough fuel. There is a little sieve filter in the inlet pipe of the carb.
Replacing the bearings is the same as on most other bikes. Quite a job, if you've never done it before. Getting the race of the stem is the hard part. I've had some poor quality bearings recently, probably made in China. Make sure you get good quality bearings from Japan or Europe. If in doubt stick with the genuine Suzi parts.
|
29 Sep 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Yarm
Posts: 25
|
|
Cheers beddhist,
Since posting last things have subsequently got worse, the bike has problems starting and when I finally manage to get her going it cuts out immediately when given any throttle.
I'm going to assess the way in which the vacuum hose has been plugged, possibly drain and flush the carb and check the inlet filter, and clean the spark plugs. I can't think of what else to do?
I've seen quite a few posts regarding the reserve level not being completely used after fitting the IMS tank, could this be due to the amount of pressure decreasing above the fuel line and so not delivering the fuel without the vacuum pump? Becasue of the close proximity of the new petcock with the carb the fuel hose between the two forms something resembling an upturned U-bend, again this could be a problem in the delivery of the fuel but can't really be changed since the carb inlet extends upwards above the horizontal petcock outlet?
Similarly when the engine cuts out or is switched off it does so with a clunk, should this be a concern? :confused1:
|
29 Sep 2008
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
|
|
You raise several issues here:
The problem with reserve in this case is most likely either the upended U bend or the fact that the bottom of the tank is too low for fuel to flow into the carb voluntarily. I have similar problems, but only when the fuel level is low. I take it you have problems even with a full tank?
There is no vacuum pump, there is a vacuum operated fuel tap on the stock tank. When the engine stops there is no vacuum and the tap closes via a spring-loaded membrane.
The clunk: have you checked your bike for the "engine grenade" problem? See separate topic on this deadly issue. If your bike is first registered in 99 then it may be a 98 model and they are ALL concerned, as far as I know.
Interestingly, my former gf's DR had a lound clunk when starting or stopping the engine. The noise sounds horrendous, as if the engine was about to explode, especially if the bike doesn't want to start. Mine didn't have this problem and neither bike has the engine grenade parts. Through a process of elimination I have narrowed the cause down to the starter clutch. I can't see anything wrong with it, but hers lets go a little before engaging when you turn it by hand. The proof came when I swapped it into my bike: I now have the noise and she doesn't. My bike now has well over 140000 km on the clock and the starter clutch has done even more. It still makes this noise every other time I stop the engine. I'm no longer worried about it. (Famous last words... )
|
19 Oct 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burton On Trent England
Posts: 134
|
|
an upturned U-bend in the fuel line is the perfect way to cause a vapourlock & make the bike run crap. what happens is the heat from the engine causes the petrol to vapourise & rise. this petrol gas effectively blocks the fuel line so you bike suffers fuel starvation. i'd reroute that line in a flatter manner, even if you have to make it longer to do so.
|
19 Oct 2008
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
|
|
IMS tanks are known to have small plastic particals - unless cleaned out before installation these block the inlet filter on the carby. If that has already been removed then you may have blocked jets inside the carby.
There is no vacum pump on a DR. The vacum line from the carb goes to the standard fuel cock to turn it on .. it does not in any way pump the fuel.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
|
23 Oct 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Yarm
Posts: 25
|
|
I've managed to clear the inlet filter on the carb, it was full of silty, fibrous dust. Initially I thought this may have solved my problems and after draining and flushing the carb things looked ok.
The bike still seems very boggy and does definately seem to be missing every other firing, I presume this could be a result of fouled spark plugs. I've re-cleaned the tank (it was full of all sorts of rubbish, even metal tags similar to those found on bottle tops) and shoved some Redex in there so hopefully that should sort the problem.
Having cleaned my new IMS tank I'm not at all impressed, especially with the fact that the flow of fuel from the RHS to the LHS in which the petcock is seated is very poor. I can only presume I'll have to lean the bike to one side to get any use of the fuel sitting in the RHS gully, anyone else realised the bad design?
p.s thanks for all the help and advice so far!
|
23 Oct 2008
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
|
|
I have the same set up as you. You should get at least 350kms on the tank by which time you'll be looking for more fuel as I generally didn't get to the last 2 or 3 Litres in the tank. As fuel quality varies considerably, I normally tried to fill up after 300kms if I could.
Have you also checked the air filter is clean and nothing is blocking the air inlet?
|
24 Oct 2008
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfie24
I'm not at all impressed, especially with the fact that the flow of fuel from the RHS to the LHS in which the petcock is seated is very poor.
|
Possibly there is more gunk in the fuel line? From teh right petcock .. you did clean the petcocks?
Most people throw away that fuel filter on the carb inlet.
Sound like someone has put rubbish in your tank .. T'd be geting some carb cleaner and making certain the jets are clean.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
|
24 Oct 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
|
|
For future reference: I found the Clarke tank to be the better choice for the DR. Although smaller (16l) it still gives you a reasonable fuel range of 300km on average.
It fits like a glove (after you realize that you have to remove the black plastic cover thing on top of the frame ;D ), uses the oem tap and isof very decent quality.
Starter noises:
Note that there are two different noises:
A loud clunk at switch off. It happens on all bikes and most of the times when you switch off. Most DR owners don't regard it as scary or unusual for this reason. I think it's caused by the crank not making it to TDC against compression and reversing.
The other noise is a screeching horrible noise notable when cranking the bike. If you listen carefully you will note that the noise occurs when the engine "overtakes" the starter gear in the combustion stroke and as soon as the bike fires up. This noise is related to the starter clutch and the bike will do many tens of thousands of kilometres without breaking. That's why I can't tell you what EXACTLY is causing the problem as I never bothered to fix it (Three of my seven DR650SE of year model 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2007 developed the problem.)
On one of the bikes the starter clutch was replaced after I sold it (rather expensive) and the noise was gone.
For the mentioned running problems take a thorough approach:
If you get enough fuel:
Check air filter & fit new plugs. If that does not help get the carb cleaned.
|
24 Oct 2008
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
|
|
Veering a little off-topic: I had the screeching noise twice and each time it was lack of lubrication in the starter motor bearings. Relatively easy to fix. I've heard starter clutches on other bikes make horrible clonking and rattling noises, but never screeching.
|
24 Oct 2008
|
|
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
|
|
Remove and Clean the Carb
Good luck, safe riding! nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!
Last edited by mollydog; 21 Mar 2009 at 23:02.
|
30 Oct 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
|
|
Remove the exhaust
Remove the starter
Open the starter & lube. Be careful when pulling the rotor out of the rear shield with the brushes, it's a bit of a mission to get it back together, you'll have to push the brushes back and lock them with some wire or a screwdriver.
Re the steering head bearings: Probably the best to buy OEM Suzuki as they come with an integrated shaft seal to keep dust / water out. Not available as generics afaik.
Every bike should have steering head bearings sealed like the ones in the DR (especially the F650GS!)
|
30 Oct 2008
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
My '06 is becoming a Screecher too. Not all the time, but occasionally.
How does one go about lubing the starter?
|
In addition to the exhaust header you also need to remove the lower oil pipe and move it out of the way and I think the cam chain tensioner.
There are some bushes, probably sinter metal at both ends, put a little MoS2 grease in there. Make sure you know how to retract the tensioner before reinstalling it.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|