Don't start now !!!

[bigern2300]

I went to Shreveport LA this last weekend for a gathering and just about sweat my gonads off! Other than that, about a 100 miles from the house on the return trip, i noticed the Rocket starting to miss at crusing speed (80-85mph) It felt like a spark plug or wire breaking down. By the time i got close to the house, if you grabbed a handfull of throttle, she would cut out, fall on her face and accelerate back up over and over again. I had my buddy watch the exhaust while i this happened for any black smoke, but all was clear. This suggest to me either bad gas or she is starving for fuel. The Rocket has almost 17,000 miles on her, so i'm going to pull the fuel filter and check it for a restriction. I also finally bought a digital camera, so i should be able to post some long awaited pics of the faster red with gold flames paint ! Bigern

 

[wilbur-t]

Sounds similar to what mine was doing when the primary tps was bad. If I unplugged the primary tps [rear] it would run smooth, but sluggish. It never set a code, and would read ok with a scan tool. I almost had to beg the Triumph Tech to try one after he had been banging his head aginst the wall for 3 hours. Been running like a champ ever since.

 

[bigern2300]

Wilbur...you maybe a life saver! I talked to the tech at the OK Ciyt dealer and he said i might be looking at a ECM replacement. Those dudes cost around $1200 ! Mine was not setting off the "check engine" light either. I pulled the air intakes off and watched the #2 injector work...then not work. I tapped in a injector pulse light into the #2 injector wiring which showed no power/signal at times. The weirdest thing though yesterday, i washed the bike and rode her for almost a hundred miles with barley any problems. It did try to cut out at aroung 5 thou in all gears which does indeed suggest a bad TPS.(assuming the throttle was held about in the same position) I have to go to the dealer Saturday so they can replace the broken rear shock, so i will clue them in. In the meantime, i will check the TPS with a Fluke Ohm meter. Thanks for the info! Bigern

 

[xhdskip]

Hey Bigern2300,
I 'm still having the same problem you mentioned above. I thought I might have gotten the bottom of the barrel at the last fill up in B'ville. Cut out bad after that, no smoke though, so I figured bad gas. while I had the tank off I figured I'd replace the fuel filter just because. Also figured I'd clean the plugs while I'm under there. What'd your problem turn out to be? To be real truthful, all this electronic bs warps my old school mind. Never had a bike with throttle bodies, fuel rail, ecm, crap like that.. I'm use to a carb and plugs you can get to without a major overhaul. So I went out on the porch, smoked a cigarette, and thought, technology, either embrace it, or get left behind by it. I really like my beast, sure wish it was more user friendly though. take care, xhdskip

 

[scot in exile]

Come on BigErn you are the guru who totally stripped your Rocket engine and rebuilt it blind folded, you can beat this little hicup.

 

[HeR3tic]

Skip, I thought you were about to have an epiphany but you digressed instead. UBrite about the dependable old school approach. A emp wave will disable us all.

 

[xhdskip]

yea heR3tic, I figure that emp wave may still be 3 or 4 years off though, it'll take china and russia that long to get it together. in the meantime, that splenty of time to ride or rockets. I never did figure out EXACTLY what was wrong. I drained the tank, gas smelled good. no trash. blew out the filter, no clog there. two plug wires weren't on ALL the way, they are now. Cleaned the plugs. Filled er up with good gas, added some sea foam to it and runs like new again..take care. xhdskip

 

[bigern2300]

The problem turned out to be loose coil power connectors which were also full of dirt.

 

[HeR3tic]

It seems to never end. So often the culprit is dirt and grime. Dielectric Compound has got to become your ally with the myriad of plugs and connectors that the RIII sports.

 

[bigern2300]

I use the stuff everytime i disconect any electrial connection on the bike. Problem is, the way the electrical connector is desigined for the coils, the actually collect and trap dirt and water. The plastic cover surrounding the end wire terminal is open at the top and collects anything that comes it's way. Also you have to be carefull when disconnecting the power wires to the coil as they do not just pull off. There is a release tab in the connector that must be depressed to remove the wire from the coil or a loose connection will result when reattached. Even after the dealer replaced the supposedly bad coil, the problem resurfaced on the same coil. Thats when i raised the tank and began wiggling wires with the engine running. When i began wigging the coil power wires, the miss would clear up. Further inspection revealed the loose, spread out female connector makeing so-so contact to the coil spade. Bigern