My OD don't luv me no more?

[Seaking]

Awww man.. I got my carbs all synched up nicely.. took special care to do them up right and all.. I was heading out of town to get new E3s installed.. go figure.. a nice shop 2.5 hours away charges less for tires and installation that it's worth the while to go out there and have it done.. however, with our expensive gas, it comes out even after the gas price factor..

 

However..

 

Running the bike up to 75 mph in 4th gear everything is SO nice.. smooth, mirrors steady, no buzz, lots of guts.. but when I shift into 5th (OD), it feels all wrong.. I would best describe it as harsh helmet buffeting while driving over a rumble strip.. does that make sense? A heavy thumping sensation that goes away when I shift back into 4th and / or go 85 mph in 5th, though I can feel part of it..

 

I tested it out by synching the carbs again, shutting it off, starting it up again, blipping the throttle a little and even switching the lines so that the carbs would pump against a different pair of rods (in case one or two were sticking) but all certainly does appear rock solid..

 

But I can't figure out what's causing that weird feeling in 5th.. it's not lugging, not at those speeds... I started feeling it happening even before I synched up my cards.. but this time I was on a long road trip so I could really feel it.. Rode back mostly in 4th at 75-80 mph which didn't seem to hurt fuel economy too much considering the winds.. but very responsive =)

 

Any thoughs or ideas? BTW, them E3's are sweeeeet!!

[flb_78]

Sounds like you've got a miss under a load.

 

Check spark plugs, check spark plugs wires for burn spots or rubbing, try to test your coils.

[BuddyRich]

I really never get into 5th till about 80. Bike just feels stronger like that.

[SteveW]

Sounds like mine did ( it was the #3 coil breaking down under load ) Replaced coil and its runnung great.

[Redneck]

I believe the previous posters got it you probably have a coil going away. See if your oil smells like gas and check the plugs.

[Seaking]

Coils.. I read a previous article from Goose about checking coils on a cold start up.. feeling the exhaust ports on a cold start to see if one is colder than the other, indicating a bad coil.. However, as best as I could tell they all work well..

 

But yeah.. feels like something is not firing properly, the sensation of a weak piston pumping up and down fast... Hmmm.. might be something there..

 

How else to test for a weak or bad coil?

 

Are coils inexpensive enough to warrant simply changing them all out (tossing out the baby with the bath water kinda thing).. Monday I'll be pulling the tank off to clean up some wiring and will check the plugs.. might be time to install new ones..

 

Running at 80 mph in 4th doesn't bother me at all but I can't get any range that way

 

Thanks for the heads up lads.. much appreciated

[SaltyDawg]

I have priced the coils out a couple months ago and they were $50.00 to $55.00 each. From what I can tell they are specific too, you can't just buy one and have it as a spare. I am pretty sure I have a coil going out on me. Lucky for me I am 99% sure I know which one it is. It was a cool morning and the engine was missing "in 5th under load" for about 15 miles. pulled over, felt the exhaust and the right side was cooler than left. Felt the cylinders and the right front was cool, in fact the exhaust pipe was luke warm at best to the touch while all others were scorching. It cleared up but just yesterday I could feel it missing every now and then.

[Seaking]

I have priced the coils out a couple months ago and they were $50.00 to $55.00 each. From what I can tell they are specific too, you can't just buy one and have it as a spare. I am pretty sure I have a coil going out on me. Lucky for me I am 99% sure I know which one it is. It was a cool morning and the engine was missing "in 5th under load" for about 15 miles. pulled over, felt the exhaust and the right side was cooler than left. Felt the cylinders and the right front was cool, in fact the exhaust pipe was luke warm at best to the touch while all others were scorching. It cleared up but just yesterday I could feel it missing every now and then.

 

Thanks SaltyDawg, next time I'm out on the road and this happens I'll pull over and give it a try to see if I can narrow it down.. I'm teaching all weekend long (MCS) in the rain rain rain.. sigh.. good thing we're passionate about biking!!

 

Are coils difficult to change out?

 

Thanks again!

[Seaking]

I have priced the coils out a couple months ago and they were $50.00 to $55.00 each. From what I can tell they are specific too, you can't just buy one and have it as a spare. I am pretty sure I have a coil going out on me. Lucky for me I am 99% sure I know which one it is. It was a cool morning and the engine was missing "in 5th under load" for about 15 miles. pulled over, felt the exhaust and the right side was cooler than left. Felt the cylinders and the right front was cool, in fact the exhaust pipe was luke warm at best to the touch while all others were scorching. It cleared up but just yesterday I could feel it missing every now and then.

 

Hey SaltyDawg..

 

I ran the bike up the highway after the course today and rode it in 5th at around 65-75 mph where I could feel the symptoms I described earlier.. ran it there for about 10-15 minutes and then pulled over right away, shut it down and started to feel around the heads and exhaust ports... and man, i burnt my hands a few times.. unfortunately I couldn't feel or find any one jug colder than the others.. =/ I tried it a couple of times and couldn't find anything amiss temp wise.

 

Later, I'll be pulling the plugs.. installing new ones since I'm going through the trouble of removing the tank and such..

 

What works best, a tighter or looser gap on the plugs?

 

Thanks for the assist..

 

Cheers M8

[Freebird]

I think that the only difference in the coils is the length of the plug wires. If somebody really wanted to carry a spare, you could just get the one with the longer wire and then use it on any of them if you had to. I don't think I would worry about carrying a spare though. Even if you lose a coil it's not like you are going to be stranded on the side of the road.