Triumphrat

decobike · 04-30-2007, 04:36 PM

A situation occured about a week ago that I want to run by a group who is more technical saavy that I am; I headed out (oh, 2006 Bonneville T100, 2300 miles) on a nice enough day to go to Duluth, Mn about 75 miles away. Naturally 20 miles out it started raining then pouring. I got to Duluth, did my errand and headed back home. I gassed at Superior put in 2+ gal and hit the road again. I stopped at a Yamaha shop 1/2 way home to see if they had a throttle rocker thingy (they didn't). Everything is fine so far except for the cold, rainy, crappy weather. 6 miles from the last stop, the enginine goes dead, like a dirty fuel line (sputtering then stopping). Rainy middle of the woods and 30 miles from home and the cell phone has a low battery meaning one call and one only. No tools really, my chain wrench and a pair of pliers is all, and wouldn't know what to do if I had real ones anyway. Oh, the engine does turn over and all fuel lines are open. Pondering what to do I opened the gas cap looking in nothing scary jumped out and put it back on. Not sure who to call, I went ahead and attempted to start the engine again, brooom. Starts right up, what the ... I get on and go. Five miles later same thing happens again (the rain has stopped thankfully). I pull off and open the gas tank, rock the bike back and forth to stir the mix (old 2 banger expression) and brooom the T100starts right up again and I haven't had a problem since.

I know this is long but I didn't want to leave out info. So what happened and how do I prevent it?

The responses and thoughts of the people in this forum are always informative and helpful so thanks before hand. db

eagle · 04-30-2007, 04:41 PM

Sounds like you have water in the fuel. Best way to fix it is to drain the tank (and maybe the carbs via the drain screws)- but if you're lucky it'll work it's way through. When you filled up was it under cover - or out in the rain?
It's also possible your electrics got wet - though that doesn't seem to be something reported much with Bonnies.

[ This message was edited by: eagle on 2007-04-30 14:41 ]

decobike · 04-30-2007, 05:05 PM

Eagle, can I just add some ethanol like we do for our cars in the winter up here? Oh, it was covered when I gassed and I don't think it was electric as the starter was turning over when I used the ignition.

Jimbonnie · 04-30-2007, 05:12 PM

Another possibility is that your fuel tank isn't venting properly.

rodburner · 04-30-2007, 05:17 PM

Sounds like the vent to me too.

BILLYSIM · 04-30-2007, 06:04 PM

Sounds like vent or water...check the vent and if OK run a little "heat" (alcohol) through it.
I repeat run it THROUGH it. Never store a motor till you've burned up the alcohol /water mix. Alcohol picks up the water and lets it run through the motor and "burn" ... what's left (hopefully NONE) will be held "wherever"...and cause crud and corruption problems in the future.
...Billy

decobike · 04-30-2007, 06:21 PM

Okay now you guys went all technical on me; how do I check to see if it's venting properly? db

davidc · 04-30-2007, 06:45 PM

Decobike,

Go to page 7 of this forum. I had a similar problem; got many ggod tips - venting, etc.

davidc · 04-30-2007, 06:45 PM

Decobike,

Go to page 7 of this forum. I had a similar problem; got many good tips - venting, etc.

rodburner · 04-30-2007, 07:02 PM

db,your vent line is that little pipe under your gas cap.It runs thru the tank and out,under the right side,underneath. It looks like this,but with a rubber hose slipped over the end.

Then that rubber hose goes down along the frame and behind the engine,where it vents.That line needs to be clear,all the way top to bottom,or your bike will stop letting fuel run to the carbs by gravity,because of vacuum created in the tank. Check for kinks and blockages and gunk plugging up the end of the hose,under the bike.You can cram a wire coat hanger in at the gas cap end if its plugged up.