HELP: Hornet 250 another electrical problem (Headlights)

**thehornetbandit** · 24th January 2010, 23:02

Hi Guys allow me to introduce myself I just joined today because I just bought a 96 Hornet today which is one of my favourite 250's. Im from Dunedin and now owner of a black Hornet 250 and hope to become an accepted member of this forum. Anything else you guys want to know about me just ask and I will tell.

And I already need your help too

I just drove the bike and it did two weird things

First: is a sudden power loss arround 8000rpm in top gear followed by a total stopping of the bike (may be my 2 stroke riding style but may not) after a while it went again sounds like flooding but cant be sure

Second: when I got the bike as soon as I turned the key to on position Headlights and blinkers came on and i couldnt turn them off. Ok so then i experience a little shower riding. Put the bike on the ferry when I hop on again after the power loss incident i believe the Headlight wont work in either low or high beam but strangely it will work by pushing the passing switch.

Please help its my first day with this bike and I dont really know what exactly to look for. I am stuck in Blenheim because of this and need to get down to Dunedin, I have taken the switch apart and put it on the meg shows instable voltage but at least its showing, I opened the headlight checked the wiring and plugs and water came out of some of them. Maybe the cause??

Please Help I need to get out of here...

**TOTO** · 25th January 2010, 00:26

First of all - congrats on buying a fantastic bike such as the Hornet.

I'm not a mechanic, but used to own a 250 hornet myself. On the power issue at 8000 rpm - does it still loose power at 8000 rpm on other gears, or is it just on 6th while climbing a hill or a steep slope ? If the second is true, I believe you just need to get used to riding a 250 4 stroke like its supposed to be ridden - to the red line to get the full power out of it. If it does however bog and loose power in the other gears other than 6th you probably need a mechanic to have a looksie (or an expert advice on what to look for). The engines of the hornets are pretty much bulletproof tho, so I'd be surprised if it is anything major.

On your second issue regarding electrics - I used to have that same problem once, and after a heavy downpour just like you.What had happened with mine was that the seal on the light control panel had leaked a tiny bit of water causing a short and loss of power to light. Mechanics dried out the control box inside, put some waterproofing silicon and closed it back up. never had a problem ever since then. Took something like 30 mins.

Let us know how you go.

Welcome to the site and a warm welcome from the Auckland Hornet Swarmers

Best of luck

P.s. if you need extra info regarding 250 or 900 hornets you can private message myself or the Hornet master who goes by the name of GiJoe1313

**hayd3n** · 25th January 2010, 06:26

hi welcome to the site
sad to hear of your drama
i would think drying out the control will help a lot,
that area needs to be sealed to prevent it again,
we have a local site in my signature if your interested!!

**hayd3n** · 25th January 2010, 06:33

maybe the electrical problem is arcing out due to water and shorts out your bike causing it to cut out
thats a lot of outs

**Squiggles** · 25th January 2010, 08:14

Headlights...One possibility:
If the pass switch works but not the low/hi beams apart from that, check the Right Switch Block... black wire (i think) on the starter button to kill the lights when you press it, have a look if its come off etc.

**thehornetbandit** · 25th January 2010, 09:09

Thanks for all the help I an in process of elimination right now. Seems like the starter cable has some water in its connection to the headlights so will check that out and keep you guys updated

**quickbuck** · 25th January 2010, 15:43

Cool, as for your Engine power loss issue, as mentioned, if it is only in top, change back to 5th for the hills.

Also, check all the plugs are okay. One of them could be giving up the ghost under load... Same goes for your leads.
Word of warning though: IF you are having trouble getting your plugs out, then DON'T. You can wreck the head quite easily if you mess it up... Better running on 4 cylinders some of the time, than 3 all of the time!

If you were in the soup yesterday, your electrical problems will be due to a bit of a loss of water proofing on your bike. Naked bikes suffer... At least fared bikes blow most of the soup away from the handle bars.

Hope you get the Hornet going well for the Coast Road. It will be a real blast!

**thehornetbandit** · 25th January 2010, 23:10

Originally Posted by quickbuck

Cool, as for your Engine power loss issue, as mentioned, if it is only in top, change back to 5th for the hills.

Also, check all the plugs are okay. One of them could be giving up the ghost under load... Same goes for your leads.
Word of warning though: IF you are having trouble getting your plugs out, then DON'T. You can wreck the head quite easily if you mess it up... Better running on 4 cylinders some of the time, than 3 all of the time!

If you were in the soup yesterday, your electrical problems will be due to a bit of a loss of water proofing on your bike. Naked bikes suffer... At least fared bikes blow most of the soup away from the handle bars.

Hope you get the Hornet going well for the Coast Road. It will be a real blast!

Hey thanks new plugs may be a good call havent been done since last owner had bike for at least two years from what i can tell by the records. will go sort out some NGK irridum spark plugs in the morning. Since everything else on the bike seems hard to come out due to lack of tlc I will probably let the shop fit them but bring the plugs.

Update to all: As far as the light goes. After a few goes I left the connector of the starter loom unplugged and left to town for some new grips. I came back reconnected the plug to test something else dont remember what and the light is going again so it was a water issue after all. Yeah its my first naked and after seeing how things are wired up I understand how theses things can happen

**quickbuck** · 25th January 2010, 23:37

Originally Posted by thehornetbandit

Hey thanks new plugs may be a good call havent been done since last owner had bike for at least two years from what i can tell by the records. will go sort out some NGK irridum spark plugs in the morning. Since everything else on the bike seems hard to come out due to lack of tlc I will probably let the shop fit them but bring the plugs.

I wouldn't actually go as far as getting iridium plugs for it.... It isn't like they aren't easily accessible.
The extra expense of the iridium's will be lost on the little Hornet.

Make sure you get NGK CR8EH9's though, as the 7's were spec'd for the Jap market and some came over with them fitted, but they were only ridden around town. &'s will run a little too hot for the trip south.

Good to hear the electrical issues have been cured.

Found THIS for you.

**thehornetbandit** · 26th January 2010, 23:25

I didnt go with the Irridium option (because they were'nt available) and went with the CR9EH-9's instead (because thats all they had) and I made it to Christchurch ok now. And while the ride lasted I have to say I was well impressed with the little stinger.

However, the bike cut out once shortly before Christchurch it gradually looses power no throttle and once I press the clutch engine shuts down! Then pull over, stop, put the bike in neutral start it up again and it goes ( well this may be important switched fuel off put on reserve and then back to normal again before restart? Fuel blockage, Carborator slush, Compression? Any ideas?

Will have to get it checked out once I get it to Dunedin, does anybody here know who would be the best to take the bike to? There is no more Honda dealer.