Bit of a weird one

[darrsi]

Just rode the bike home from work, and at lower constant speeds I can only describe the bike as sounding like it was mildly shivering.
Open the throttle up and it responded absolutely fine, but to me something is not quite right, but I don't know what?
I balanced the carbs not so long ago and they were all good.
The only similar thing I've had before was when my TPS was gradually breaking down, but I just checked that and it pinged straight to 5K rpm so I'm a bit stumped, I don't even know where to begin?


Any ideas anyone?

[Fraser]

put a nice warm jumper on it , sorry, I'm not helping am I 

[anutz]

when you say shivvering....

Dull vibration of a definite small stutter???

Does it seem like a timing issue of a starvation issue, i.e. does it seem very ropey and un-responsive, appears no....or does it seem starved of something...i would geuss it is sturrling for air or fuel....for some reason....

anything been taken off and cleaned recently...

i thought i had killed my engine today, but turned out i forgot to put an ignition coil back on - the relief!

[darrsi]

Not touched anything BUT the last 2 tanks had some STP Fuel System Cleaner in them, and I'm wondering if it's unsettled something then duly clogged something else up?

Imagine the sound of someone's mouth/jaw when they're really cold and shivering, it's a spot on description.

May just need a good blast, but I know my bike well by sound and right now it's just not right to me.

[bigralphie]

Air filter due a clean or replacement ?

[unfazed]

Not touched anything BUT the last 2 tanks had some STP Fuel System Cleaner in them, and I'm wondering if it's unsettled something then duly clogged something else up?

Imagine the sound of someone's mouth/jaw when they're really cold and shivering, it's a spot on description.

May just need a good blast, but I know my bike well by sound and right now it's just not right to me.

Put it to bed, a warm blanket and some lemsip, it will be  fine in the morning

[darrsi]

Air filter due a clean or replacement ?

K&N, the bike is only on around 45K in total, not entirely sure without checking when fitted but it shouldn't be that anyway.

[darrsi]

Still reminds me of when the TPS goes wrong, i've always known when it was about to go, but as i said it's not showing any physical signs yet so it's all a bit puzzling, although i still won't rule it out.

[unfazed]

Air filter due a clean or replacement ?

K&N, the bike is only on around 45K in total, not entirely sure without checking when fitted but it shouldn't be that anyway.

Why shouldn't it be that? Have you ever cleaned the filter since you fitted it? Always worth a check, also make sure your plug caps are tight on the leads. This would be just a start point.

What many do not realise is the the Sahara dust issues last year left many air filters requiring premature changing/cleaning.
I cleaned 2 K&N filters for 2 bikes used in the UK around that time and both had over 5mm of dust on the base of the filter box which was oil laden and going nowhere. The amount which came out of the filter was like they had ridden through a sand storm.

[darrsi]

Air filter due a clean or replacement ?

K&N, the bike is only on around 45K in total, not entirely sure without checking when fitted but it shouldn't be that anyway.

Why shouldn't it be that? Have you ever cleaned the filter since you fitted it? Always worth a check, also make sure your plug caps are tight on the leads. This would be just a start point.

What many do not realise is the the Sahara dust issues last year left many air filters requiring premature changing/cleaning.
I cleaned 2 K&N filters for 2 bikes used in the UK around that time and both had over 5mm of dust on the base of the filter box which was oil laden and going nowhere. The amount which came out of the filter was like they had ridden through a sand storm.

Okey doke, fair point, i'll have to take a look at that on Saturday. 

Bit more info for the record, did the same again this morning, most noticeably between 2000-3000rpm, but especially noticeable at 2500rpm.
Found a clear bit of road and gave it some welly, and it responded with no issues at all or spluttering, I went up to about 80mph in a few seconds without faltering, restricted feeling or any bad noises.
Yet when I ride around the 2500rpm mark it sounds more like a twin engine with quicker pulsing noises?

[Frosties]

Just a thought with the fuel cleaner in mind - at what revs does the 600 change over from pilot jets to main jets in the cars? Blocked idle jets ???

[mars696]

Ahhhh Story of my life Darrsi,i have exactly the same prolems for months now,and i cant find a solution,neither any mechanic can...
Hope you will be lucky...

[darrsi]

Just a thought with the fuel cleaner in mind - at what revs does the 600 change over from pilot jets to main jets in the cars? Blocked idle jets ???

Forgot to mention, the idle is solid @ 1200rpm, no hunting at all.

[darrsi]

Just ordered K&N filter cleaner kit.

Ebay £8.71 delivered

Halfrauds £15.99 and you have to go and get it yourself. 

[anutz]

thanks god for ebay 

[unfazed]

Ahhhh Story of my life Darrsi,i have exactly the same prolems for months now,and i cant find a solution,neither any mechanic can...
Hope you will be lucky...

Were the valve clearances ever checked?

[darrsi]

Ahhhh Story of my life Darrsi,i have exactly the same prolems for months now,and i cant find a solution,neither any mechanic can...
Hope you will be lucky...

Were the valve clearances ever checked?

20,000 miles ago

[unfazed]

What were the tolerances at the time, or were you told?

[darrsi]

What were the tolerances at the time, or were you told?

No mate, it was when I got the bike, had a load of things done.

[darrsi]

Just ordered K&N filter cleaner kit.

Ebay £8.71 delivered

Halfrauds £15.99 and you have to go and get it yourself. 

Kit turned up at 11.30am next day, a decent Ebay seller for a change. 

[darrsi]

So, finally got round to having a look at the air filter, and I was quite surprised at how dirty it was to be honest.
And when I took it out there was a bit of the old oily mayonnaise in there again.
Cleaned it all out and gave the K&N a good clean up with the recharge kit, then left it on my metal garage flip up door so the sun was shining directly on it to dry it out, then I oiled it.
Not tried the bike yet, I'll know if it's sorted things out on the way to work in the morning.

[paulchucky]

make sure the breather pipes are free and not trapping when you fasten the tank back down
easily overlooked and can cause silly problems lol
get hold of the pipes and pull on them as you lower tank into position

[darrsi]

make sure the breather pipes are free and not trapping when you fasten the tank back down
easily overlooked and can cause silly problems lol
get hold of the pipes and pull on them as you lower tank into position

What breather pipes?
Only pipe I touched was the fuel pipe

[anutz]

so what is the orange stuff, and why is it coming out of the fuel pipe, its not tango is it?

[paulchucky]

make sure the breather pipes are free and not trapping when you fasten the tank back down
easily overlooked and can cause silly problems lol
get hold of the pipes and pull on them as you lower tank into position

What breather pipes?
Only pipe I touched was the fuel pipe

theres  breather pipe at the back of tank goes down between frame and airbox  then in between frame and engine and comes out underneath next to main stand


what happens is when you lower tank into place they fold up at back under  tank