My bike is down

[juggler]

For repairs. I've been dealing with bad gas milage for a couple years now. I've had everything fuel related checked, synced, cleaned etc. I've read about these coils going bad on occassion. Namely the number three coil. So this summer I bought a set of coils from a low milage crashed RSV for $40. I'm in the process of replacing the #3 coil. Has anyone done this themselves? If so, how the heck do you get your hands in there to replace it? I've torn up my hands to get the old one out and I almost have the new one in, but I'm having a hard time getting anything in there to tighten the screws.

 

I've pulled the right side rear exhaust off. I moved the two metal tubes out of the way. But there is not much room for my paws. I've gone at it from the top and underneath.

 

Any suggestions?

[Freebird]

Wil,

I wish I could help but I'm not sure if mine was the same. I have changed that coil on my bike and just don't remember having that much of a problem. I didn't pull anything except possibly the side and center covers and I don't even remember for sure if I pulled them or not. It may be though because all my AIS system is long gone. I can't remember but it may have been in the way and is why you are having such a problem getting to the screws.

[Cougar]

I believe I had to remove the anit-freeze over flow tank and it is pretty easy from what I can remember.

I take you you do not have a repair manual?

Don might be right as I also do not have the AIS anymore maybe that is why

it was so easy?

[juggler]

I have the repair manual. But it does not detail how to get to the rear coils. They are easily accessible after you remove the engine

 

After letting the pain in my hands subside a bit I'll try again. I swear these bike are meant to be serviced by someone with the hands of Japanese school girls or boomers pygmies.

 

The new coil is in place, I just have to get the screws tightened now. Maybe if I took off the rear left side exhaust and tried from that side?

[juggler]

BTW: I have more to do than just the coils. New tires, air filters, and overall general inspection of everything I can't see while the plastic is on. This thing has a lot of rattles. Time for loc-tite and a bolt inspection.

Edited August 22, 2011 by juggler

[sarges46]

What about removing the battery box. The coils are visible from there.

[juggler]

What about removing the battery box. The coils are visible from there.

 

They are? I didn't know that. So the battery or the whole box?

[juggler]

oh, and being visible isn't the issue, I can see them just fine. It's getting my paws into them.

[sarges46]

Whole battery box if I read Goose's report right. After that you are on your own!

[juggler]

I decided to put off working on the beast for a few days. Today I went back at trying to get the new coil in in place. It pretty much was in place but I could not get an Allen key onto the bolt heads to tighten them down. Just not enough room. A while back I made a shortened Allen wrench and bought this set so I could grind one to the proper length. So I decided to customize another one from the set. I took about 3/8 off the short side and a little over 1/2 and inch off the long end. That made the Allen key just small enough to get onto the bolt heads and tighten them down. After hooking up all the wires and putting a few things like the header pipes and gas tank back on I gave her a quick test. Wow!!! Did she roar to life. I dont have the mufflers on yet because I am still going to do tires.

 

So far so good. After tires and my general inspection to tighten anything that should't be loose and vice versa I'll be back on the road. Hopefully in time for my trip to. Omaha this month.

 

 

Laterz

Edited September 4, 2011 by juggler

[22lyons]

What was your mpg? Mine has never been great either.

[juggler]

What was your mpg? Mine has never been great either.

 

I was getting about 32-35 mpg. I'm hoping this is the fix.

[Carbon_One]

Before buttoning up check that white plug behind the ceter coverin front of the battery. That plug gets pretty dirty and can cause charging failures when it gets burnt/hot.

Larry

[BuddyRich]

If your all your plugs were the right color I kinda doubt the coil was a problem. I only get about 35mpg... But I NEVER ever go light on the throttle. Just too much fun....

[22lyons]

I was getting about 32-35 mpg. I'm hoping this is the fix.

 

 

i have never gotten over 35mpg but i ride pretty hard. i understand that is about right for riding hard. i will be interested in knowing if what you are doing helps.

 

Larry

[juggler]

i have never gotten over 35mpg but i ride pretty hard. i understand that is about right for riding hard. i will be interested in knowing if what you are doing helps.

 

Larry

 

I used to get 39-40 when I first got the bike. It's not due to riding hard. I've spent the past couple years trying to figure this out. It's not the carbs, or fuel or air flow. There are other threads on this forum that document the #3 coil going bad but testing good when cold.

[22lyons]

I used to get 39-40 when I first got the bike. It's not due to riding hard. I've spent the past couple years trying to figure this out. It's not the carbs, or fuel or air flow. There are other threads on this forum that document the #3 coil going bad but testing good when cold.

 

 

i will be interested in finding out if this will help.

 

larry