Triumphrat

HunterThompson · 05-30-2009, 11:00 PM

Hello all.

I am trying to think how to explain this without sounding like a nut. I got my bike back from the shop today (I need a new shop..) When I drove it up there Wed it was pouring and both me and the bike got soaked. When I left is seemed to lag a bit but it is cold blooded so I didn’t think much of it. On the drive home I could tell something was wrong and it was not firing correctly because I would twist the throttle and it would dog out, then after second or a few seconds it would catch it would take off and run great. I thought maybe a little water in the gas after the soaking ride up. But I have gone probably 125 miles today and kept the tank full it is still doing it.

Anyway, the weird part is that it is giving me a shock. This happened once before when I got caught in a flash storm and got dumped on and the bike got soaked, it barely ran and I could tell something was grounding out. Before the bike dried out after a day and was fine. It is odd. If I let the bike idol and touch the carb I can tell that every once in a while the something is grounding out cause I get shocked. Anyone who has been shocked by a spark plug knows the feeling and knows it is unmistakable. That is the feeling I get.

So my question is… where do I start looking. I looked at the coil connections and they all look fine. Any help appreciated.

geoff69 · 05-30-2009, 11:33 PM

most likely candidates are caps, leads, cracked coil case. You can try running the bike in the dark when its wet and looking for the arcing. check that all the connections are pushed hard home

Wierd that you get shocked though where?

Also double check your earthing - battery, starter, coils

HunterThompson · 05-30-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff69

Wierd that you get shocked though where?

if i touch the bowl of the carb i get a little zip.... scary.

HunterThompson · 05-31-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff69

You can try running the bike in the dark when its wet and looking for the arcing.

I went out last night as started the bike when it was dark. I covered the headlight so as i could see any arching and i didn't.

I hate touching the carb cause I hate getting shocked.

A new batters did go into it and i looked a that but i cant see anything weird going on.

IrlMike · 05-31-2009, 04:26 PM

Getting a shock at the carbs is interesting (if that's the right word

) because they would be quite effectively isolated due to the rubbers each side.

One possibility occurs...the choke & throttle cables run near the HT leads & if one of those has poor/faulty insulation the HT could maybe jump to a cable especially if touching & damp/wet.

Bbogie · 06-01-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

I hate touching the carb cause I hate getting shocked

Don't you have any slow witted friends you could get to do this? Tell them you're going to show them something neat.

ssevy · 06-01-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbogie

Don't you have any slow witted friends you could get to do this? Tell them you're going to show them something neat.

Better yet, a cat?

KD5QOQ · 06-02-2009, 11:49 AM

I'm with Mike 100%.
The carbs are totally insulated, so when you touch them you're the path to ground.
This also explains the rough running.
I would pull the tank and move the cables away from any plug wires they may be near.
It may be time to replace them though.
Don't let your wife catch you using the cat for troubleshooting purposes.
I do like the way ssevy thinks!!

HunterThompson · 06-02-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5QOQ

I'm with Mike 100%.
The carbs are totally insulated, so when you touch them you're the path to ground.
This also explains the rough running.
I would pull the tank and move the cables away from any plug wires they may be near.
It may be time to replace them though.

I don't have a cat and i didn't have the heart to sucker any of my friends although i did say to one. Here touch this and tell me if you get shocked... He politely declined.
anyway.... yeah the carbs being isolated had occurred to me and i ended up doing just what was suggested, I pulled the tank and made sure get the plug wires away form the other cables and wires. I didn't check to see if i got socked but the bike did run correctly after that. Also, by then it had dried out a bit and it only happens when it is soaked.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Keep it rubber side down.

KD5QOQ · 06-03-2009, 10:42 AM

You may have dodged a bullet! Think about it: If it was the throttle cable that was shorting, that cable runs right near the engine kill switch.
Some moisture in there to facilitate an electrical path and you may have back fed the igniter with coil strength voltage.
Just a thought, but I don't think the igniter electronics would have reacted well to that sort of thing.