FAQ Register Login |
damp starting |
Post Reply |
Author | |
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 14 Nov 2005 at 14:39 |
The sun briefly showed on the weekend, so I quickly cleaned the bike, got togged up, jumped on and she wouldn’t start. Water got in somewhere. Ive never had that happen before. But then ive never had an Italian bike before. An hour or so with a hairdryer over it got it flashed up, but the LCDs played up all afternoon and reverted to kilometres, and the sun had gone in. I had been thinking of getting away on it a bit next year. I was wondering if anyone else has had water/starting problems with the Mille and got stuck away from home in the rain.
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Marvoging,
Had the same problem myself after using a pressure washer, being careful not to direct the jet directly towards the console or under the fuel tank. Would not start ended up using the wife’s hair dryer to dry the electrics, follow by resetting the rev counter and speedo from km back to miles. I am also wondering about the Italian electrics. Doubt the reliability of the bike if used in the rain. I am planning a week on the Mille to the south of France next year and have concerns about the electrics if had to use it in the rain. I would like to hear any feed back as I’ve only used it on dry days.
ps. enjoyed the blast Saturday. How Fast?[}:)]
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
ColonelKurst thanks for your input. I keep my Mille connect to a Optimate when not in use, must admit after washing the bike and getting the start failure and all sort of weird things happen to the display units my battery ran down very quickly. Think I shall change the battery this weekend as a precaution. Very interest to hear from anyone who have had similar experiences.
Regards Suntec61
|
|
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
the onset of colder weather will highlight any battery problems, but my no start was due to water. As soon as it had dried it flashed up fine, even though i'd been pounding the starter for an hour or so. Also the LCD's went nuts for the rest of the day. They also seem to have made a full recovery.
|
|
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
good to know.
|
|
antrsv
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 24 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
hi there i was under me bike the other day and there was a small gardem growing on the top front cylinder plug cap!! and after i cleared that i sprayed all the connections around there with gt85 , the actual plug caps were not that tightly sealed around the ht lead so you could get a little moisture in there?[:D]
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Marvoging.
Washed the bike today making sure no water could spray from underside and sides of fairing, covered the instrument panel. Bugger me if it would not start. The only electrical side of things I did not cover up was the switch gear on the bars and the side stand switch! Pretty hacked off, could not even be bothered to dry things off.
Ps. Battery had a good charge, engine turned over fine. Just failed to fire up!!!
pps. instruments reset to km and rev counter to 6000 rpm again!!!
Help…. [:(!]
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
ColonelKurtz,
Had scheduled to buy a battery Saturday but unfortunately had to work. Not sure if it’s a battery problem, as the engine is turning over OK and it’s connect to a optimate which is indicating battery is OK. For the cost of a new battery I shall replace it anyway, not holding my breath as I’m not convinced that is the cause of my problem.
Ps Thanks for your input...
|
|
RSV_Ecosse
Premium Member Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: Bonnybridge Sco Status: Offline Points: 1712 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Fellas, also remember to pull the clutch lever in when starting, especially say......first thing in the morning.
Takes a helluva load off the engine and gives the electrics a wee bit of assistance in starting up.
You need three hands though.......right hand thumb operates starter button, left hand holds clutch in and knocks fast idle lever back to prevent that hellish high revving situation that usually happens.
Worth keeping in mind though.[;)]
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Ecosse,
Do all of that and even manage to cross my fingers at the same time!!!! Dead not a single burst of life. Time to get the wifes hair dryer out again.[:(]
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi Guys,
Well my problem of not starting is 100% a damp issue, fifteen minutes with the wife’s hair dryer directed around the instrument panel and the Mille fired up. Any of you guys out there up on auto electrics? Lost the confidence to take the Mille out if there is any sign of bad weather.
Suntec61
|
|
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Wonder what the racers do at a wet race. Risk it not starting, running rough, or stopping mid race? Maybe they use upgraded looms, or take special waterproofing measures. Or stay at home. Perhaps there are some tricks we could learn. Like getting breakdown/recovery insurance.
|
|
grahaga
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 26 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I took my 04 Factory to Speedaway recently for a service, all the way there (60 miles) poured down, on the way back thunder & Lightning + lashing rain (Another 60 miles), cars only doing 30 mph on M6, I was only doing 40 (Didnt have Pinlock then-Do now). Parked it up overnight, started 1st touch in the morning, I can say Ive had no problems with not starting-EVER!
|
|
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Grahaga
thanks, it's good to know that, it's been troubling me.
|
|
grahaga
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 26 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Marvoging, what do you mean you were worried, was it that I went to Speedaway?, Drove in the rain for 120 miles or are you just a born worrier?
|
|
Desert Fox
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 155 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Had same problems after washing. Blew compressed air at coils to dry and hey presto off she went.
|
|
millehead
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 48 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have ridden my 2000 rsv in snow and rain never had a problem
but i have had trouble after using pressure washer apparently
after consulting aprilia mechanic it was water getting into plugs
so now i wash it while its ticking over, been fine since.
|
|
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
the coils eh..?
Where do we look for those little blighters?
|
|
steev1962
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 48 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
All i can add is dont trust the battery. All I did was leave the lights on mine for an hour or so and that was it, battery kn***ered.
fat bikers bounce better
|
|
Desert Fox
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 155 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Marvoging. The coils are fitted on each side of the bike attached to the frame. Remove the fairing panels on each side and you will see them, they look like 2 small black cylinders with spark plug leads attached. The water from washing sits in the connections. DO NOT TOUCH THEM WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. Unless you are brave and you want to give the wife a thrill.
|
|
borehambiker
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 19 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Try spraying Wurthe or Maplin Silicone grease on all conecters/exposed wiring. It's brilliant.
PS. does anyone recall seeing a positional wiring diagram posted by someone, showing the relative positions of major electrical components and the harness. I have searched but can't find it.
|
|
Desert Fox
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 155 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have sent a request for your email, diagrams are ready to be sent.
Cheers
|
|
PAB
World Superbike Star Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 227 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have to say that we have been racing for around 5 years, including the Mille challenge where there could be up to 30 milles in a race - despite sometimes torrential conditions I have never heard of anyone, least of all us ever having a dampness problem of any kind - it is possible that your clocks may have a crack in them or there is a bare or broken connection up front somewhere which is being exasperated by water/damp.We've never had problems on the 04 bike either, but judging by the number of comments perhaps the newer style clocks are more prone - one thing I would add though is ...
NEVER EVER USE A PRESSURE WASHER
|
|
LEGS
L Plates Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 152 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have to agree, it's probably not the best idea to pressure wash an RSVR !! A Bucket of hot soapy water, sponge and a shammy may be the way to go here folks [;)]
|
|
suntec61
Moto3 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi guys,
As you know I’ve been plagued with damp starting problems, Recently fitted new battery and it sorted out the damp starting and instrument panel reset problems.
By the way I’ve always kept my battery on a Oxford Maximiser when not in use, waste of time!!
|
|
marvoging
Moto2 racer Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: S.Devon UK Status: Offline Points: 146 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Suntec, i used an Oxford Oximizer, maybe it was faulty but it seemed to be worse than useless. Now ive got an Optimate, seems to be doing the job just fine.
I'm also going to stop using a pressure hose to clean.
I cant help wondering what part of the bike is the vulnerable bit though.
Ging
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |