[Snugs]

I've recently picked up a 2000 RC51. Pretty standard apart from ART cans.

All was running fine for a couple of weeks but then after a faster motorway ride, the bike seems rougher (and noisier) than before. Also the left hand exhaust (sitting on the bike) is hotter than the right. It just sounds a bit rough.

There is also more backfiring evident when easing off the throttle - mainly in first and second gears. From what I've read elsewhere that's pretty normal however it does seem to have become more regular since the bike began to run 'rougher'.

I'm not especially mechanically minded however from reading other posts it could be a leaky exhaust but any advice you can offer is appreciated. I was also thinking one spark plug fouled?

The bike was sitting for a while as the previous owner didn't use it much so I can see that perhaps there's a build up of 'stuff' that needs 'clearing out'??

Cheers for your help - great site by the way.......

[Bigtoe]

Try running a little bit of injector cleaner through it first! Make sure you ride the whole tank of fuel out. Maybe some bad fuel sitting in there still.

[Snugs]

Thanks Bigtoe.

Any recommendation on which cleaner I should try? I have seen reference to Sea Foam but not sure if I can get that here in the UK or if I would have to order from the US?

[slammp]

Change your plugs. My 01 does the exact same thing. I have learned to live with the left pipe being hotter, but new plugs make a world of difference. I have 18,000 on mine and recently did the plugs. It is recommended at around 17k.

[jbond4321]

Plugs !
Had the same with my RRV, changed them and it run a treat now.

[zerogara]

Left and right exhaust, meaning left and right can? They both come out of the same place, you should only be comparing heat from head pipes. If what you say is true one of them may be plugged up with something. Maybe someone played a joke on you and shoved something down the muffler. Or maybe water has collected at the bottom but that would be thrown off after a good long ride.
Once cold when you start it up idling check if front to back head pipes get warm equally and at the same rate. If you plug up one muffler the bike will still run as all gases are forced to the one exit. One guy here bought a bike with stock head pipes and one aftermarket muffler with the left side lugged at the exit. A cheap way to lighten up the bike.

[roland5color]

The RC51 hates used plugs and seems to have a problem with water getting into the gas tank. I never washed mine with a hose or rode it in the rain so I never had a problem with the water but have read several post on water getting in the tank after sitting outside in the rain or being washed. Seems the gasket on the gas cap doesn't seal very well. Have also heard speculation of the vent tube for the gas tank actually sucking the water from the lower fairings into the tank when being riden in the rain. Also check your battery cables a lose one with cause all kinds of problems with a RC. Hope this helps.

[Snugs]

Many thanks for all of your replies. This morning I started the bike and noticed exhaust gases coming up from under the bike!! Turns out there is a small leak from where the header pipe joins the pipes which then split each way leading to the cans (forgive my ignorance with the wording). I spoke to a mechanic I know and he mentioned that this is a push joint and it's not unusual for these to leak. He said he can easily sort this with some exhaust assembly paste. It would make it a bitch to remove in the future and I presume would need some replacement parts if removal was necessary. The alternative would be to replace the parts now but I could do without the extra cost just now!!

I guess that might explain the lumpiness at low revs and the backfiring/popping on deceleration?

However taking on board all of the suggestions above, I will change my plugs too and check the vent tube etc.