Broke down in Heavy rain

Yesterday I was on a round trip of 400 miles to see my folks on my z650.

Was going great until the heavens opened and I thought I got a flat as the steering went funny. Looked down and there was 2-3 inches of water on the road. Spray everywhere and heavy traffic.

At the same time the bike starts to splutter, lose power and cuts out.

Brown trouser moment at speed.

I pull over and cant get it started again. It makes a hell of a clanking sound and just dies. I push it to the service station and give it a rest. Its still torrential.

Give it another go, it starts eventually but still a little clacky, revs great and then doesnt idle makes a few groans and dies.

I check the plugs, air filter, battery, plug caps etc, and all seems fine.

Call the breakdown service and they are as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

Get towed all the way home, takes forever as the truck is restricted to 56mph max.

So my question is.....whats going on?

Do you think it could be the coils? It did sound as if it was misfiring. How do I check?

Cheers in advance from across the pond

check wiring under tank.

Had the tank off at the time to check wiring, all connections good and I sprayed with WD40 (water dispersant). Do you get that in the US?

Try pulling off your ignition cover and make sure it's dry in there. You might also have water in the tank. Put a little gas dryer in it and see if that helps.

Yep checked the ignition cover at the same time, was a little wet in there. Is there supposed to be a gasket there as there wasn't one?

I did not have a gasket for years but then I don't ride in the rain. While installing the Dyna S I made a gasket so I'm good now. Yes, gasket required for rain riding!! Did bike run OK after drying points??

Post edited by: Bluemeanie, at: 2007/08/16 09:00

Its still raining in the UK. British summers eh!

Just a thought... DO you have pod air cleaners? Or the stock box?? If you have pods ( individual cleaners non stock ) they might have soaked up enough water and gotten it into the engine?? maybe?? Just a shot in the dark:dry: But I would think that after a few minutes that would have cleared up, unless they are soaked and still allowing water to get into the carbs some how..??
Pat

I had a 750 twin that ran absolutely great, until the first raindrops hit it, replaced the coil and wires and that fixed the problem.

I had the same problem in rain. My coils were getting wet with water being sprayed up under the tank. I had a shorter LTD fender up front.
I sprayed an electrical sealer all over the coils and wiring under the tank, and have had no trouble since, in over 2 years.

sounds like water in the carb syndrom to me, Igot caught in a down pour a few weeks ago, took it about 15 min of low gear high rpm, missing no power riding for it to clear out
bottom line,
BIKE + RAIN = TROUBLE:sick:

Yes, there should be a gasket under the points cover. When I was in a jam I used a cerial box card board and cut out a rough gasket and oiled it to make it water proof... worked well until I could get the real thing.

On my bike there is also be a gromet on the point cable coming under the points cover. Again, if you're jamed-up you can use a tube of silicone sealer.

Best of success.