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Misfire in the wet
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 8:39 pm
Author: Redbeard
Second time out in the rain on the ST and this time it was wet roads, few spots of rain and not the deluge it was last time. Anyway, it was enough for it to start spluttering on the way home from the Ace. It isn't like fuel starvation, plus it is fine in the dry. Any ideas? I imagine it will be coils or leads under the tank? It didn't take much to make it run like shite but it got me home 40 miles like it without cutting out as long as the revs were kept high. Previous owner mentioned it and had put what looks like copper grease around the plugs/wires. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 8:57 pm
Author: kas750
Copper grease?? That well known conductor of elastic trickery?

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:03 pm
Author: Redbeard
That's what I thought so wiped most of it off after the first time it happened, not sure what it was it just looked like copper grease to me.
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:18 pm
Author: z1bman
coils plug caps or plugs the rest of the cdi ignition will run submerged in water
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 11:09 am
Author: Al
Could you 'mist' it with a water spray in the dark whilst running to see where its tracking?
AL
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 2:03 pm
Author: Pigford
If you're running POD filters - and issue persists, drain carbs

Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:12 pm
Author: Redbeard
Al, my thoughts too, I was riding back in the dark at the time but daren't stop to check it out. I will get it running in the dark and try a mist from a spray bottle to see if I can trace it.
Mark, yeah it has pods so will try that. The damp was minimal this time; drying roads, light spray from exiting London traffic on the A40. Is this the reason for the covers I have seen on bikes running pods?
I need to get it sorted, it's no good having a non-show queen bike in the UK that doesn't like the wet
z1bman, thank you I will focus on these parts. Cheers everyone for your advice.
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:19 am
Author: Pigford
Redbeard wrote:Mark, yeah it has pods so will try that. The damp was minimal this time; drying roads, light spray from exiting London traffic on the A40. Is this the reason for the covers I have seen on bikes running pods?
Usually need a fair bit of damp to spoil proceedings! But worth considering it may be a weak point?
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:14 am
Author: KeithZ1R
I was plagued with this on the 40th anniversary run back from Germany, it terminated with a rescue from the M62

turned out the Rubber boots on the top of the plug cap had softened with age and although they looked ok where allowing moisture to track under and angry stuff to track out causing misfire at best and complete failure in he deluge we rode home under.
I discovered this with a "rose" fitting on the hose pipe and sprayed em ala rain, then tested the replacements the same way.....fixed. only my experience but you never know
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 6:52 pm
Author: Redbeard
Thank you for the help and ideas, I will look at everything at the earliest opportunity.