[browad]

We had a tech session at my house today and did the following to my bike:

24k Service (23500 mileage)

• Oil Change
• Transmission Fluid Change
• Final Drive Fluid Change
• Valve Clearance Check (all within spec)
• Spark Plug Change
• Air Filter Change
• Fuel Filter Change
• Fuel Quick Disconnects Changed to Metal
• Battery Changed (Throttle Position Sensor reset after)

After everyone left and the tupperware was placed on I went for a test ride and noticed the following:

1. Idle is between 650-750 RPM and wants to stall (battery light flickers) but does not
2. Clicking sound coming from valve cover area (sounds like a cylinder is not firing)

I double checked the spark plug wires and they were on correctly but both symptoms persisted. DaveDragon tried to help me over the phone with the problem and we did the following:

1. Triple checked spark plug wires
2. Pulled a single plug wire off to simulate missed cylinder to see if sound stayed, in all 4 cases sound got worse and RPMs fluctuated wildly
3. Changed all plugs back to old
4. Took off individual plug wires and hooked up loose spark plug on engine block to check spark

Pictures of *original* plugs after 5 minutes idle, plugs #1-#4:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ribbondarkness/BikePics/photo#5222320479321667522

We're working under the assumption that it is a spark issue. However this may change and the fuel system be next. I'm trying to avoid taking everything off again, but tomorrow may bring different news.

I'll be online for a bit, and your help is appreciated,

 

[zippy_gg]

You did not specify how long of a test ride you took, but I suspect not a very long one, and the computer is re-learning your driving habits after the TPS reset and the idle will stabilize soon.

 

[browad]

Test ride was around the block and short due to inclement weather. Not sure about your comment on the computer re-learning my driving habits, but if it fixes itself I'm happy.

There is still the "clicking" noise. I hate calling it that because it is so vague, but that is the best I can do.

I'm going to take a shower, go to sleep, and tackle it some more in the morning. Next step is to look at the fuel system, especially the vacuum hoses.

Cheers,

 

[Rabbit]

Adam though it ran good when we ck it . Hope it's the computer relearning . Had fun today and meet some good people . Thanks Dan Jones

 

[DanDiver]

Yes, it was fun yesterday and I woke up thinking of either a pinched line when we put the tank back or maybe we should have done the canister removal too while the bike was apart. Hope it's just a matter of resetting the computer as I don't recall any clicking after all was put together, course, my left ear rings all the time!

It was nice to meet the "other" Dan and Adam hope all works out well on your ride this morning..... Got wet on the way up and had a nice rinse on the ride home. Fresh shower felt good.

Now I'm ready to pull my tank and replace air filter and gas filter. Thanks for allowing me to watch and get a little oily.

 

[Rabbit]

Dan had a great time with all , hope Adam post good news . Thanks Dan J

 

[browad]

Got done wrestling with changing my rear tire. Update on the bike: still running the same. It actually stalled on me when I was coasting into my drive with the clutch fully in from a test ride. Started right back up.

Going to give it some time and see what happens.

 

[browad]

Got my rear and front tire swapped and have begun riding it as my daily driver again. No repeat of the electrical/idle issue so perhaps that particular gremlin has been dispatched or handed off to another.

Clicking noise is still there, but after reading some other threads think maybe the sound was always there and am "re-hearing" it anew. Give that one some time to either go away or for me to get acclimated to it.

Thanks for the help.

Off to Nova Scotia (in two weeks)!

 

[rando]

Maybe try rolling throttle all the way open a couple times with switch on to reset the TPS? Okay, try it again, maybe? IF you haven't already and had the battery disconnected. Or it may already be re-learning sufficiently. Are you CERTAIN that you have the wires on in the proper order? Yes it sounds simplistic, but sometimes it's the basic things that get us.

The clicking is varying with the throttle? At idle and road speed? If only when moving,. maybe a pea gravel or worse in tire tread? Just a thought?

And of course, like most, me included, we can sometimes be overly sensitive to noises after a major service.

Good luck
Randy

 

[browad]

TPS has been reset a few times already, and the idle issue appears to be resolved. Did a 250 mile run to Daytona and it was fine.

The "clicking" noise is still there, and still originates from under the valve cover. It varies with idle in neutral or gear, but cannot be heard above road noise.

Bike runs fine, so I'll leave it alone until I have a eureka! moment.

Cheers,