Never had such a sick feeling to ride at night for about 20 minutes and have the bike strand me in the middle of no where. I mean a back country road.
Well, hell. It happened last night.
It was a nice night but it got a little warmer as I pushed my bike up this little hill over and over again trying to push start it after the battery went dead.
First, I am sure I had a fuel starvation issue. When I finally remembered to pop open the gas cap (I heard a big whoosh!), I had nearly killed the battery. Well, I had killed the battery. I did get it to fire once by push starting it but it wouldn't idle because I had jacked with the idle screw like a dummy.
So there I am. Stuck like Chuck. Thankfully, my cousin has a bike trailer. He normally works nights but I got lucky and caught him on a night off. He came and brought me and my bike home. I owe his so much thanks! I got to sit on my jacket and look at the stars and day dream about warranties and fuel injection for a good while before he got there.
Anybody want to buy a GS?
what shut you down, the battery or the fuel issue? Was the headlight still on after the engine died? Sorry to hear that happened, bet you're glad you brought the cellphone right?
-M
Fix your idle screw, top her off, check the water levels in your battery, give it a charge on a battery tender, and then get riding!
Quote from: Jake D on February 28, 2006, 10:32:36 AM
Never had such a sick feeling to ride at night for about 20 minutes and have the bike strand me in the middle of no where. I mean a
First, I am sure I had a fuel starvation issue. When I finally remembered to pop open the gas cap (I heard a big whoosh!),
What would cause the fuel tank to pressurize like that??? A blocked vent or something???
Quote from: Jake D on February 28, 2006, 10:32:36 AM
Anybody want to buy a GS?
Wouldn't you like to donate it to the "pandy needs another project bike" fund!? ;)
Sorry to hear you got stranded, but glad it worked out ok. The Baby G will be fine before you can even load her up to be rid of her! :icon_lol:
It was the fuel starvation that killed it. The headlight never went out. The battery wouldn't crank it over.
I've been bitching about my gas cap for a year now. I've mentioned that there is always a harmonic sound coming from the gas gap. It is not contant, but if I run the motor or even if the bike sits in the sun the gas cap starts to whine. The sound that comes from it is so high pitched is sounds like running your finger around a crystal wine glass. I mean, really, just exactly like that except loud as hell! I mean like, "shut that off now" loud. Then you open the gas cap and WHOOOSH!
When I bought the bike it didn't have a key on it. So I got a new cap but the cap I got come off a GSXR. Damn thing fit, but I think it causes a vacum. Anybody ever heard about that?
Gas caps have a vent. As you use the fuel in your tank something needs to replace it. That somethign is air which comes into the tank via the vent in the gas cap. Your gas cap vent is plugged so you are creating a huge vacuum becuase no air can get in to replace the fuel.
To test this theory, next time you go riding and it starts to stumble, crack open the fuel cap and it should start running like normal again.
Yeah, I tried to test that last night but I had already run the battery down.
Better yet, how do I unclog the vent in the gas cap??????
When you opened the cap, did it pop open or did you have to pull it open? If the vent blocked, it pulled all the fuel it could until ran out of pull. I don't know when all of the model variables tripped, but you could have a straight vent or a vapor canister. With a vapor canister, there are a lot more places for this to happen.
This isn't a California model. I don't know what a vapor canister is. The bike is an '89 and the gas cap is off a gixxer.
I pulled it open to a whooshing sound. There is no doubt there is suction there.
Is there a fix? Do I need a new gas gap? What can I do?
Just wondering, what could connect the battery issue with fuel starvation? If not enough fuel is flowing in, the engine won't be efficient/powerful, but will still turn on high rpms and therefore charge the battery? :dunno_white:
Took a look at my 92 tank tonight and can't see any real places for a vacuum release :dunno_white:. For a short term fix, maybe remove one of the allen bolts that connect the gas cap to the tank as those bolt holes are threaded straight into the tank, this would allow air easily into the tank. :thumb:
If this is a horrible idea, I am certain someone mor knowledgeable than me will surely pipe in. :laugh::bowdown:
Quote from: GSinUS on February 28, 2006, 08:44:10 PM
Just wondering, what could connect the battery issue with fuel starvation? If not enough fuel is flowing in, the engine won't be efficient/powerful, but will still turn on high rpms and therefore charge the battery? :dunno_white:
Battery ran down after repeatedly trying to start without any fuel to fire the engine. Battery has to have a pretty full charge to turn over the starter and is easily run down to the point it can't fire the engine.
Quote from: pandy on February 28, 2006, 12:20:35 PM
Quote from: Jake D on February 28, 2006, 10:32:36 AM
Anybody want to buy a GS?
Wouldn't you like to donate it to the "pandy needs another project bike" fund!? ;)
No! Donate it to the "poor student who took MSF 3 years ago with overprotective mother and large debt needs a bike to relieve stress of school" fund!
Quote from: moditup on February 28, 2006, 09:58:16 PM
No! Donate it to the "poor student who took MSF 3 years ago with overprotective mother and large debt needs a bike to relieve stress of school" fund!
Another n00d!? You're right...n00ds win out over "wants another project bike" GStwinners. :icon_mrgreen:
oh lord PANDY-whats a nood?
-------here's a penny or two--------
Our gas tanks have a vent tube that runs down and to the right of the bike. it is designed to allow extra gas sip out instead of on your paint job.
this should be allowing air to vent. GS's are gravity fed (vacum pump in pri) a vaccum in the tank will create a stronger pull af fuel than gravity,equalizing the forces or even sucking fuel back into the tank, therefore starving the carbs.
don't ride until you figure this out DUDE. jerryrigging the gas cap is the same as not having one.
worse case is you wreck or even just dropp her and fuel will slosh out your little jerryrigg all over your pant leg. metal against pavement causes sparks.
next thing you know, we are all like "hey, remember that jake dude...."
take your tank off drain it and check all the holes. so you don't die. ok?
Quote from: 3imo on February 28, 2006, 11:10:41 PM
oh lord PANDY-whats a nood?
A n00d is a n00b without a bike yet. NiceGuysFinishLast is probably the most (in)famous of n00ds here.
What did YOU think a n00d was???? :flipoff: :laugh:
Your talking about the tube that hangs from the very bottom center of the tank, right? Does that vent the gas tank or does that carry away any gas that you spill around the cap when you are filling the tank?
Destro: I think that is a pretty good idea for a short term fix. Thanks for looking.
Also, I was thinking about cutting a little notch in the rubber gasket around the gas cap.
Quote from: Jake D on March 01, 2006, 09:13:19 AM
Your talking about the tube that hangs from the very bottom center of the tank, right? Does that vent the gas tank or does that carry away any gas that you spill around the cap when you are filling the tank?
I think you're right Jake D, in Kerry's valve video he states that the vent only lets gas that spills around the cap drain through the tank and away. Aircraft have vent tubes that let expanding gas drain out of the tank and onto the ground. I don't think the GS has anything like that...
Gas caps are insanely expensive, I found two on ebay for around $100...what's up with that?
your right. I amwrong :dunno_white: I suck I know :dunno_white:
THe vent is built into the gas cap. or should be. even the gsxr your using.
...actually I don't suck... 8) I'm a pretty cool guy 8)
no... nope, I suck.. :icon_rolleyes:
Quote from: pandy on March 01, 2006, 08:52:23 AM
Quote from: 3imo on February 28, 2006, 11:10:41 PM
oh lord PANDY-whats a nood?
A n00d is a n00b without a bike yet. NiceGuysFinishLast is probably the most (in)famous of n00ds here.
What did YOU think a n00d was???? :flipoff: :laugh:
INFAMOUS!? OUCH... Jake, I want to buy your GS! :) As for the vent, from my readings here, it's built into the gas cap. The easiest way (on a GS) to clear it is with a straightened paper clip. I know several people have experienced a vacuum in the gas tank when they cover the vent with a tank bra or a tank bag. I don't know how the vent on a gixxer gas cap would be, but I would assume it would be very similar. Take a look for it. Someone who actually HAS a GS wanna post pics for him?
If you flip the cap up there should be a small hole in the bottom of the cap. That is the vent, if it is there. Like said before a paperclip of a small pipe cleaner should be able to clean that sucker up good enough. GSXRs might have another type of venting system built into the tanks though, not sure, so there might not be a vent on that cap.
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on March 01, 2006, 11:14:12 AM
Quote from: pandy on March 01, 2006, 08:52:23 AM
Quote from: 3imo on February 28, 2006, 11:10:41 PM
oh lord PANDY-whats a nood?
A n00d is a n00b without a bike yet. NiceGuysFinishLast is probably the most (in)famous of n00ds here.
What did YOU think a n00d was???? :flipoff: :laugh:
INFAMOUS!? OUCH... Jake, I want to buy your GS! :) As for the vent, from my readings here, it's built into the gas cap. The easiest way (on a GS) to clear it is with a straightened paper clip. I know several people have experienced a vacuum in the gas tank when they cover the vent with a tank bra or a tank bag. I don't know how the vent on a gixxer gas cap would be, but I would assume it would be very similar. Take a look for it. Someone who actually HAS a GS wanna post pics for him?
You can buy my GS for $800. I'm dead serious.
Jake, I'm only going to allow you to sell your GS if you buy another one to replace it.
Well damn.. I wish I had $800... and was somewhat near to you... I WANT A BIKE!!! But I == broke... Yeah, I'm a programming geek.. :laugh:
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on March 01, 2006, 12:30:57 PMI == broke... Yeah, I'm a programming geek.. :laugh:
Shh!!++ Don't tell anyone the secret!
Quote from: Jake D on March 01, 2006, 12:08:42 PM
You can buy my GS for $800. I'm dead serious.
If I wasn't so far away from you I'd take you up on that offer. VA to MO is a bit of a drive I think.
I guess I'll just have to get it running then. Crap.