I rode to Bikes and Breakfast last month without issues but yesterday I pulled out the bike to get the annual inspection and:
Started, but wouldn't idle. Died after a few seconds and wouldn't start without 1/3 throttle.
I got it to run and decided to ride it and see if I could shake out the cobwebs. Once warm it ran better and I got my inspection sticker.
On the way back it seemed worse, shuddering on accel, power cutting in and out. I parked it and slept on the issue. Fuel or spark?
This morning I took off the wings and inspected the plugs and wires everything looked good. I disconnected everything connected to the coils and treated the connections to the good stuff, DeOxit, and put it all back together.
While I had the wings off I cleaned the headers and drained the gas tank to get a look at the fuel pump and filter. All seemed normal so I closed up the patient and went for a quick spin around the neighborhood.
No obvious issues but I will take a longer ride later to see if the demons have been exorcised.
She was operating on a fresh tank of premium so I discounted that, though clogged injectors could be a thing. Nine-year-old bike with only 8K miles. Looking at the coil side of the wires does not inspire confidence. It doesn't look like a lot of material to make contact.
Actually it’s the spark plug cap. I should have been more precise in my statement. Do a search as this has been covered a lot. NGK plug cap replacement. Leave the wire alone.
Actually it’s the spark plug cap. I should have been more precise in my statement. Do a search as this has been covered a lot. NGK plug cap replacement. Leave the wire alone.
Will do, thanks...
Wow, it sounds like this is the problem. Parts ordered from AF1. Thanks John!
Those lazy dogs at AF1 took two full days (one being Easter Sunday) to get the parts to my door. Only 1,676 miles, what was the holdup?
Switching the caps was straightforward and the bike started and ran fine. I didn't ride it as I find riding in driving rain and sleet unpleasant. Temps will range from the 30's to the 70's this week so I should get some miles in by the weekend.
You do know the trick for removing the caps without damaging them?
Do tell! (in case I run into this someday! )
It's been covered a zillion times before but you get a long, thin screwdriver and poke it in through the cooling tunnel above the exhaust manifold. Poke about until you feel the soft rubbery texture of the plug cap, hook the screw driver under the bottom of it and lever it off upwards off the plug. Once the cap is unclipped from the plug it can be wriggled off gently from the top.
To make it easier next time a smear of rubber grease around the sealing rings on the cap before they are reinstalled will help ensure they pop off effortlessly.
Changed the plug caps, fresh gas and went for a ride. The problem came back immediately and the bike stalled at the first stop sign. Symptoms seem like the spark is cutting in and out. I run these on my '75 Eldorado wires, do you think that might help? Should I get replacement wires at the Auto store? [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Ugh, I started the bike in the dark of the driveway with wings and plug covers off to look for sparking. Of course, there was none and it started and idled perfectly.
I took it around the neighborhood and it ran faultlessly so I went for a quick "Torino tune-up" of 70+ MPH.
No issues so I will have to wait and see if the gremlins re-emerge.
Subject: 2013 shuddering Redux 
Thu Apr 14, 2022 12:22 pm
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