Bike wont turn over after a rain

[aviationfred]

I have no idea why the US bikes use the orange wire for the tach and every other bike uses the grey wire .

The tach/coil wire is Grey on the US spec 1989 models.

As an added note. Pull the left side engine cover, moisture has been known to get in there and cause issues with the rotor and ignition pick up.

I saw this happen at a rally last year on another members bike while riding in the rain.


Fred

[ryanschoebel]

Hey all, so the bike started up (albeit not well, i had to hold open the throttle otherwise it would sink and die), so i have it home now,and i will be looking into everyones suggestions this afternoon.

[Troyskie]

Very good point Fred.

On the way to the Harrietville Oz rally I ran over a largish stone and knocked a 15mm chunk out of the bottom of the pick-up cowl/cover. No biggie I thought (no oil will come out), until we hit some heavy weather & I was breaking down intermittently till I put some race tape over the hole as a temp to home solution (after everyone was collecting my crap down plastic bag luggage weather covers). Unfortunately it was on the engine side of the cover, so it is JB'd now.

[racerrad8]

I would add one more thing...

If the fuel cap doesn't seal, then water into the tank and then into the carbs. Water is heavier than gas and will be the first thing sucked into the carbs when it was cranked.

This can result in the poor running issue you are now having.

Randy - RPM

[ryanschoebel]

I would add one more thing...

If the fuel cap doesn't seal, then water into the tank and then into the carbs. Water is heavier than gas and will be the first thing sucked into the carbs when it was cranked.

This can result in the poor running issue you are now having.

Randy - RPM

That could very well be. How would I tell? and just drain the tank, and refill?

[FJmonkey]

Just pour out a sample of fuel from the petcock (or even better one of the carb bowls) into a clear container. If you have water in your fuel you will see it sitting in the bottom.

[Sparky84]

I have no idea why the US bikes use the orange wire for the tach and every other bike uses the grey wire .

It's probably because it's better colour than grey! and you can! 

[ryanschoebel]

Alright, tearing into it yesterday, no water was found anywhere. The coils were dry, and didn't look cracked, the short is gone, I didn't see any water in the side cover, and a sample from both the petcock, and the float bowls were clean. Bike seems to be running just fine now, so the end result is...I have no clue.

[balky1]

Alright, tearing into it yesterday, no water was found anywhere. The coils were dry, and didn't look cracked, the short is gone, I didn't see any water in the side cover, and a sample from both the petcock, and the float bowls were clean. Bike seems to be running just fine now, so the end result is...I have no clue.

Similar on my side. It sat once in heavy rain and didn't start afterwards. That was long time ago and since then I have ridden it in some heavy rain without a single cough. BUT, still if I wash it with too much water while stationary, it won't fire right up. Has me clueless.