Ant invasion!!!

[RocketJockey]

Hey folks,

I'm net to this forum but was a member of the R3owners.com site for a long time. I hadn't logging in for a long time and realized that it was no more. So I will pose my question you you.

My bike had been parked and covered for 2 months. Today I uncovered it to see that it was infested with ants. I swept off what i could the took it for a spin to blow/burn off the rest. After about 6 miles my engine light came on...then went off..then back on again. I turned around to come home and the oil/temp light came on. I previously had no other mechanical problems with the bike. Could the ants be causing this by making some sort of contact somewhere? Where would be the most likely place I should investigate. I am not very mechanical, and am somewhat financially strapped after a cross country move from New Mexico so hauling it to the shop is a last resort of course. If I did have to haul it in, does anyone know a reputable shop in the Memphis area that can service my 2007 R3 Classic?

Sorry to join then dump these questions without properly introducing myself.....

Jonathan

 

[TOMCAT]

Ants just love chewing on electrical wiring .. think you've got a big problem. Killing the ants you see may offer some satisfaction/revenge but ain't going to do anything about damage already done. Good luck.

 

[Mittzy]

Welcome RocketJockey, From Australia.
You got a whole lot of pain coming Well I hope not, For your sake.
ANTS LOVE NESTING ON CIRCIUT BOARD (Like the ECU)
Check behind the right hand side cover, find a black box about 4 or 5" square and investigate for your invading critters. I hope for your sake they are not in there.

I had a bike (1980 Yam SR250) that I canalised to make a go cart buggy for my kids - by the time I got to the ECM - it was full of ants and ***d - simply replaced with another from the wreckers and was all good. I would think a replacement ECU for the R3 would be expensive.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

You guys are kidding right? ants infesting a motorcycle
A first for me.......

I once knew a guy who told me he got attacked by thousands of lady bugs though.....

 

[breeze]

don't know if ants like elec. wire (apparently they do) but they do like sweet stuff and the rocket is a sweet bike where from in n.m. did you come from?

 

[TOMCAT]

Had ants nest in a friends parked-up Jeep Wrangler in Darwin. It was a nightmare .. damage they had caused was unbelievable . Vehicle required a complete new wiring harness.

 

[Kmutt]

Welcome.....the .com site is no more?! I must have missed something.....at any rate......you can find parts on ebay from a company called PINWHEEL. They have all sorts of parts for rockets from salvaged bikes.......they do have wiring harnesses and maybe the ECU......good luck and let us know how you make out......oh and I would start by going thru the bike and find out how extensive the damage is....I am sure you can look and tell if the wire harness has been chewed threw.

mutt

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

Motorcycles for Ants?

the Ant and the Aardvark - 02 - Hasty But Tasty - YouTube

 

[Rocken C]

Walmart and most auto parts stores carry electrical contact cleaner.
Ya want the non grease stuff that drys instantly. Dis connect the battery first. Remove panels, and what ever else ya need to access the wiring and sensors. Cover paint and corm with towels plastic or something. Put on safety glasses (burns bad in eyes trust me here). Rubber gloves (can cause a chemical burn on skin Trust is need here as well lol). Clean wire connections thoroughly and re-install. This has worked for me on several ant infestations on trucks/cars/washing machines,etc.. Take your time, be patient, the spay will also kill the ants. The job may not fix it if the ants have invaded the ecu, of other electronics, hopefully they are sealed.

Good luck

 

[Ugarte]

You really need to pull the seat off and lift the tank and check for more ants. You might have a frackin nest under the tank or seat. I would blow as many of them out with compressed air as I could and the "fog" the garage, with the bike in it, with one of those insect foggers. After all that I would hook up tuneECU and check things out with all the tests that it has. At least your bike ran ok, if the ECU was effed up by the ants I doubt the bike would run properly.