I washed my bike for the first time a week or so ago. Afterwards, the bike wouldn't start. Later that day it started up and ran. I let it dry out for a few days, and it started up just fine and runs perfectly fine in Neutral. However, it seems to die when I come to a stop in gear (but not every time). It is a bit harder to push even with clutch pulled in and does jerk a little when started up which makes me suspect that clutch is not fully disengaging (possibly caused I rubbed up on some adjuster while washing it.)
Things I suspect:
Maybe I adjusted the clutch and it is stalling in gear as a result of this
Maybe I adjusted the idle speed down
Maybe the air filter got dirty during the wash
Electrical?
What did you use to wash it? A garden hose rinsing off dirt usually doesn't cause problems, but a pressure washer in every knook and cranny will.
That being said, most problems that arise after getting a bike wet are electrical. Look around the ignition coils and spark plug wires especially, and any other connections that could have gotten wet.
I used a rag and a bucket of water.
What would I look for around the electricals?
Put the bike up on its center stand, start it, put it into gear and let the back tire roll, pull the clutch and see if the rear well stops, be careful but you could try to stop it with your foot if continues to roll after you stopped it than your clutch is way out of adjustment.
Washing with a rag and a bucket shouldnt cause any problems unless your gas cap is open or your seat was off.
Split in the rubber tip/donut of the spark lead? ... Let water up in the plug lead head? ... :dunno_black:
Only has to be tiny tiny amount to break down the electrical in a distributor on a car ... Don't know about amount for plug ends on a bike ... But worth checking?
Quote from: xfmluder on May 21, 2014, 11:15:07 AM
I used a rag and a bucket of water.
What would I look for around the electricals?
I was about to repeat what Janx said. Most likely around the spark plugs. Unless water somehow got around the timing plate?
Good point too BigRich :thumb: ... Some slight corrosion or one loose bolt/stud on the top edge or edges at least ... The amount of water to break down the electricity is minuscule on a car .... Like .. Hold a glass over a steaming kettle for a few seconds ... Only that much! ... On a bike I can't think why it would need more... ? Needs to be DRY!! :thumb: