OK, I'm nearly done resurecting my 1983 KZ1100. I have driven it nearly every day for the past two weeks although usually only for 10-15 minutes. This past weekend I took my longest drive. Not going anywhere in particular...just having fun and practicing my driving skills (just completed the BRC two weeks ago:)). About 30 minutes into the drive I found a deserted parking lot and practiced my low speed manuvers for about 30 minutes.
Now, here's my problem. After driving at low speeds for 30 minutes the bike became quite hot. My seat actually became so hot that I stopped the bike, turned it off, and checked under the seat to make sure that everything was OK . Looked OK but was quite hot under there. Thinking I should get back out on the highway to cool it off, I closed the seat and tried to start the bike. No go. Turns out the main fuse was out. I pulled out the old fuse which was hot to the touch and replaced it with a spare. Now I try to start bike and it BARELY turns over. I think the battery was fine (headlight was bright) but engine turned really hard. I let it cool five more minutes and finally it did turn over enough to start up. Drove home and was carefull not to kill it on the way. At home checked the battery and voltage was good. After letting it cool for a couple of hours turns over and started normally again.
Is it normal for a bike to overheat while at low speeds? How do you avoid this if you get stuck in traffic? Also it was only about 65 degrees outside. What will be be like during the summer.
Note that I had previously dissembled, cleaned, and balanced the carbs. Spark plugs look OK. Number 3 has just a bit of white on the tip of the plug so I opened the pilot jet a little. Others are dark brown so I left them alone.
Sorry for the long post.
Post edited by: NormZ, at: 2005/10/24 09:29
Post edited by: NormZ, at: 2005/10/31 15:27