Bike just shuts off

forceten · 03-11-2007, 3:26 PM

Went riding today, was a nice 50 degree day so i thought i would put put around town and get some miles in.

After about 1 hour of riding I was downshifting as I came to a light. Bike just shut off as I pulled the clutch in from 2nd to 1st. I didn't pop it back out cause I didn't even realize the engine shut down. At the light I restarted the bike after a try or two. Turning over sounded weak.

Bike started and I thought wierd but kept riding. 1/2 hour later same thing. Downshifting from like 3rd to 2nd and engine off. Again took me by surprise so i didn't pop the clutch. footed it off to the side of the road but this time bike turns over weak once or twice and then dead battery.

Had a tow truck come out and give me a jump. Bike started right up. Rode it home.

Dead battery? Or something else? Its sunday but I think I know who has a battery for RC's. Gonna replace it no matter what. But ya guys think something else is going on? What ever happened to a bad battery the engine would still power a car or bike until you stopped. Is it now a dead battery = engine off?

Hope its nothing more serious then that.

Red Rider · 03-11-2007, 7:45 PM

Most likely the battery needs replacing. If it happens again with a new one check the R/R.

A.F.T.C.T.T.G. · 03-11-2007, 7:53 PM

More than likely the Batt. When you get it started again, disconnect Neg battery wire while bike is running and check voltage output across Pos/Neg battery wires to verify correct voltage to Batt.

forceten · 03-11-2007, 8:36 PM

Everywhere is closed today after looking so I have to wait till monday or tuesday for a battery. I do have a power commander in and when I took the bike for inspection the guys said the idle was too high at 1800 and dropped it to like 1100 (the only change I can remember).

I guess after the battery is in place I can see what the voltage is doing from the charging system.

What numbers should be coming back across the wires to be healthy?

A.F.T.C.T.T.G. · 03-11-2007, 8:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forceten

Everywhere is closed today after looking so I have to wait till monday or tuesday for a battery. I do have a power commander in and when I took the bike for inspection the guys said the idle was too high at 1800 and dropped it to like 1100 (the only change I can remember).

I guess after the battery is in place I can see what the voltage is doing from the charging system.

What numbers should be coming back across the wires to be healthy?

I believe it's 12 to 14 VDC.

leelover · 03-11-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

Most likely the battery needs replacing. If it happens again with a new one check the R/R.

If the charging system is not putting out enough voltage the ignition and fuel delivery systems will not work. If the batt is in bad enough shape (bad cell or shorted) it will not allow current to pass through correctly even if the charging system is functioning. If it is your original batt it is time for another.
I found the best deal at Batteries Plus, if you have them in your area.
After you install the new batt, check the voltage across the terminals. Start the bike and check again. The voltage should be more with it running, generally high 13 volt range. Rev engine slowly while watching the volts. It should go up slightly. If it goes down you need to have the charging system checked out by a tech.

forceten · 03-11-2007, 11:47 PM

What rpms do you guys have your rc's idle at?

Rigor · 03-12-2007, 6:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forceten

What rpms do you guys have your rc's idle at?

1100-1300

forceten · 03-12-2007, 8:38 PM

Crap, went out today for a ride, new battery and bike shut down three times.
Once slowing up to a light, clutch was pulled in going from 2nd to 1st.

Once while at a light clutch pulled in and in 1st waiting for a light to change.

Once in a parking lot. Pulled to a stop, kickstand down and in nuetral. was just sitting there for a sec and bike just shut right off.

Only good thing was since the battery was good the bike turned over each time and started right up.

But know I don't know what the hell is wrong. I'm pulling for either the bike idling too low (gonna up the idle tonight) or at the worst a bad kickstand switch.

Past that i guess I'm calling the honda dealer and seeing when I can drop it off to them.

Is it possible for a power comander to trip off a bike? I could try disconnecting that also to see if there is any change.

*slorider18* · 03-12-2007, 9:26 PM

check the voltage regulator. If the battery is charged the bike will run off of the batteries charge till it is too low power anything. if the voltage regulater is bad than the battery can't recharge = dead bike. I had the same thing just happen to my f3. New voltage rugulator and i am back on the road. Follow this link to get a charging system trouble shooting chart. it was really helpful to me. Motorcycle Electrical Parts (ElectroSport Industries)

forceten · 03-12-2007, 9:41 PM

Looks like the voltage regulator is in the tail on my RC, I can see it from the trunk. Its also hot as hell to the touch.

*slorider18* · 03-12-2007, 11:12 PM

Yup, if they get to hot they fry. i fried mine when my bike over heated. Simple fix and you will be draggin' your knee again in no time.

forceten · 03-13-2007, 7:57 PM

Any online part place have a rectifier cheaper then my local dealer ($180 the bastards)

*slorider18* · 03-13-2007, 7:59 PM

mine cost the same from the dealer. i hate those guys. anyway, i found several on ebay new for around $100.00. i purchased a used oem rr for $30.00. good luck.

forceten · 03-13-2007, 8:18 PM

yeah I looked on ebay and at the moment they only show 00's and 01's, I can't seem to find and for sp2's anywhere online.

Damn dealer prices grrrrrrrrrr

leelover · 03-13-2007, 8:53 PM

Check out Honda Kawasaki Suzuki Yamaha Motorcycle Parts Accessories Repair Manuals and Ron Ayers' web site.

forceten · 03-13-2007, 9:47 PM

$115! Much better at mrcycles! Thanks much!

leelover · 03-13-2007, 10:00 PM

no prob

They have a really good parts micro fiche system, too.

SP2Pilot · 03-13-2007, 10:17 PM

Ok a couple things

If the battery cables are disconected the bike will die instantly, so the person telling you to check voltage by disconecting the cables while the bike is running is doing you no favors.

Second. How do you know you have a charging problem?

If the battery is up after you ride for an hour it ain't a problem so the regulator and rectifier are not bad

third You need to go ahead and get someone that knows what the heck they are doing to do a amp draw load test to see if the charging system is at spec. You need to pull 13.5 volts at 1500 RPM Min.

*slorider18* · 03-13-2007, 10:57 PM

if a charging system is working properly the bike will run after the battery is disconected. all the battery is for is to get the bike started. after that it should be able to opperate without the battery. if this is not the case then there is a problem with the charging system.

SP2Pilot · 03-14-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slorider18

if a charging system is working properly the bike will run after the battery is disconected. all the battery is for is to get the bike started. after that it should be able to opperate without the battery. if this is not the case then there is a problem with the charging system.

No the RC 51 will not run with the battery disconnected. I will bet you the pink slip on my bike.

This is not a 1977 Chevy pick up

*slorider18* · 03-14-2007, 3:02 PM

you guys with all your fuel injection and power comanders. i geuss maybe it's time for me to get updated....

(yelling at my wife) "honey, SP2Pilot says i need to get a new bike, i think he's right."

We'll see if that works....

forceten · 03-14-2007, 3:11 PM

Why do people say pink slip anyway? My title is white in color

Rigor · 03-14-2007, 4:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forceten

Why do people say pink slip anyway? My title is white in color

The same reason they say, "Better then sliced bread". Apparently one day, there was nothing better then that.....

forceten · 03-14-2007, 9:45 PM

BTW guys, I upped my idle today (was a fantastic day out, almost 70 degrees here) and rode for about 2 hours after work.

No shut downs at all. That leads me to think the idle was way too low. I had it first set back to 1800 but then after the bike warmed up a bit i set it down to about 1500 and so far so good.

I will give it a few more days of riding to see if that was the real problem or not.

wtme600 · 06-28-2007, 6:31 PM

check batt. leads are tight even a bit lose and when the bike starts to flex it can do strange things

forceten · 06-28-2007, 6:47 PM

That was months ago, problem happened to be the idle was too low on the bike. Upping the idle is what really solved the problem

Was idling like at 1k

jhonda41 · 06-28-2007, 7:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forceten

That was months ago, problem happened to be the idle was too low on the bike. Upping the idle is what really solved the problem

Was idling like at 1k

no... the problem is you're letting your bike idle TOO much.

-jh

forceten · 06-28-2007, 8:17 PM

would shut off as I downshifted to a light