Did I break it already?

**DrunkenMistake** · 4th August 2013, 20:22

Looks like you have some good advice above,

For future http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfsUZDA8CoI

have a look at that might help next time if you drop your bike again,
its obviously not always that clear cut and easy but gives you an idea,
There is another video floating about of a woman showing how to lift a gold wing or a harley.

**Grashopper** · 4th August 2013, 20:26

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Did your favorite mechanic not bother to test ride it before you paid for the job?

I would be taking it back and telling them to do it right.

Lol, the problem is you don't always notice it. You can take it on the highway, cruise around at 100 and all is good. Only when things get more interesting the problem starts. Was going to Hamilton on Friday and was sure all was good after even 150 km. But that was on the main highway. Went back on the backroads with far less constant speed, over 7500 rpm. It was then when I noticed that it is still having the same problem. Did some more riding today and got a much better idea of when the problem starts appearing.

**Grashopper** · 11th August 2013, 18:21

So, fuel tank, carbs, fueltab, fuel lines and whatever were cleaned out again at the beginning of the week. Everything was going fine all week, but I was only commuting 15 min each way anyway. Today I finally managed to take the bike out for a bit longer spin.

Went south on the eastern side of the lake through the twisties and back. Everything was fine for the first 50 km. Then on the way back just before the airport roundabout the bike starts to surge again. Made it through the roundabout then stop at the side of the road to let the cars pass, so I can do a bit of testing. While I'm waiting for the cars the bike is in idle and then dies. I switch it on again, it idles for a second then dies again. Just in case I switch to reserve, even though I should have at least another 50 km... Bike starts and idles and idles...no dieing this time. I take off, everything is fine. Head to a petrol station in town, tank is full after 6.3 liters... The Spada has a 11L fuel tank and reserve is 1.9 L. Take the bike for short ride along the highway. Still all good.

I really need to do a bit more testing now to find out more.

**Ocean1** · 11th August 2013, 18:32

Originally Posted by Grashopper

So, fuel tank, carbs, fueltab, fuel lines and whatever were cleaned out again at the beginning of the week. Everything was going fine all week, but I was only commuting 15 min each way anyway. Today I finally managed to take the bike out for a bit longer spin.

Went south on the eastern side of the lake through the twisties and back. Everything was fine for the first 50 km. Then on the way back just before the airport roundabout the bike starts to surge again. Made it through the roundabout then stop at the side of the road to let the cars pass, so I can do a bit of testing. While I'm waiting for the cars the bike is in idle and then dies. I switch it on again, it idles for a second then dies again. Just in case I switch to reserve, even though I should have at least another 50 km... Bike starts and idles and idles...no dieing this time. I take off, everything is fine. Head to a petrol station in town, tank is full after 6.3 liters... The Spada has a 11L fuel tank and reserve is 1.9 L. Take the bike for short ride along the highway. Still all good.

I really need to do a bit more testing now to find out more.

Sounds like the main tank tube on the petcock is blocked. Wee bits of crap can float around even after you've had a good clean up. Easy enough to check and easy to clear.

**quickbuck** · 11th August 2013, 18:37

Hmmmm,
At this point I have to ask what fuel are you using?

Tip:
Use the highest octane available.
Do not let it sit around for too many weeks though.

DO NOT use Mobil 8000 or Gull (ethanol blends).

**Grashopper** · 11th August 2013, 19:17

Originally Posted by quickbuck

Hmmmm,
At this point I have to ask what fuel are you using?

Tip:
Use the highest octane available.
Do not let it sit around for too many weeks though.

DO NOT use Mobil 8000 or Gull (ethanol blends).

Used to use 91, but I've been using 98 since the beginning of last week. Done 1300 km in those three weeks I've had the bike, so don't think stale fuel is a problem.

I've heard that Gull fuel is not to be recommended, but didn't know about Mobil. Although I never get fuel there anyway. Good to know though.

**Grashopper** · 11th August 2013, 19:20

Originally Posted by Ocean1

Sounds like the main tank tube on the petcock is blocked. Wee bits of crap can float around even after you've had a good clean up. Easy enough to check and easy to clear.

Hm, not sure if that bit has been cleaned yet. Will consult with the bike doc about that.

**quickbuck** · 11th August 2013, 19:21

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Used to use 91, but I've been using 98 since the beginning of last week. Done 1300 km in those three weeks I've had the bike, so don't think stale fuel is a problem.

I've heard that Gull fuel is not to be recommended, but didn't know about Mobil. Although I never get fuel there anyway. Good to know though.

Good answer....
Doesn't support my theory though....

The "Main tank" does seen a little small though. Just 6l....

Sounds like there is something a miss with the fuel stack pipe.
Without looking though, I have no idea what.

**Grashopper** · 13th August 2013, 22:23

Did some more testing this evening and went up and down the ETA a few times. Left the setting on reverse for a while and everything was ok. Did 30 km of that. Then switched back to the normal setting. The bike starts surging pretty much immediately. I turn it back to reserve, ,bike is back to running smoothly. However when I arrive at the roundabout, the bike stalls and it takes me a few tries to switch it on again. I turn around again and the bike is running again without problems.

Will do some more testing to see what will happen if the fuel level gets lower. Wonder if that will make it act up even in reserve setting , too.

I also wonder why, in normal setting, it doesn't happen on short rides, only when I slow down after 10th of kms at higher speed.

**nzspokes** · 13th August 2013, 22:32

Blocked tank vent?

**sinfull** · 14th August 2013, 08:04

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

The ol' Spada fuel starvation problem. Get your fuel petcock assembly checked. Fixed mine and numerous other Spada's with similar symptoms.

29th of july this post was made, you have found sediment in the tank but you haven't checked the petcock or the filters in the tank ? I'd be looking at that first up !

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Blocked tank vent?

Right there is another possibility but have to run with the filters in the tank after a fall and finding sediment !

**Grashopper** · 14th August 2013, 09:27

Originally Posted by sinfull

29th of july this post was made, you have found sediment in the tank but you haven't checked the petcock or the filters in the tank ? I'd be looking at that first up !

As far as I know that has been cleaned and checked. If it is the petcock and the filters anyway, why would it only act up going back to lower revs after ca 30 min on higher revs? Shouldn't it be worse on higher revs?

Wish I knew more about how the fuel system works.

Re the blocked tank vent, apparently the bike didn't make any whooshing sound, when the tank was opened when it was acting up. But because the bike is not acting up constantly I still wouldn't exclude that.

**ducatilover** · 22nd August 2013, 21:55

After reading this, it can still be the petcock. they will close up at times, not completely but enough to keep the carbs fed properly. (known issue, same with VFRs)
It would pay to dismantle and inspect the tap, clean the tank vent too.
Replace the tap vacuum line. You can modify the tap to eliminate the vacuum diaphragm.