So like, after grappling with a handling issue for several wet weekends, and having finally had an epiphany moment after work today, I decided I would stretch the Bandits legs since it no longer harboured the desire to send me down the road at every roundabout and slow/any corner.
Suit up and pile on some throttle heading East from Massey over to the Shore on the upper harbour motorway.....yippee tracks straight and true......OK, give it a bit more on the return run and...........splutter splutter........oooh. Coast to a stop in the semi darkness on the side of the motorway.
Long story short a very nice chap called Paul stopped on my second breakdown on the trig rd offramp, and shepherded me a further two breakdowns all the way home. Said he used to be a biker in Welly a few years ago but Aucks is too busy for him. Rather decent of him though, nd him and his wife will be getting a bottle of wine and some choc tomorrow night as a thankyou.
Soooo, just to check my diagnostics:
Bandit 1200 mk1 1996 carb model.
Electrics all working fine.
Would start and run perfectly after sitting 5 mins.
Time running perfectly would vary between 1-2km depending on engine revs maintained until next breakdown. Higher revs= shorter time before coming to a stop.
Felt like running out of fuel, but dropping cylinders until would not run and coast to stop.
Really rich smell from exhaust after stopping.
I am guessing, as I have just made it home and its dark outside so I have not looked into anything as yet, but gut feeling is either stuck float needle, or faulty float. It is intermittent though and this is the first time it has behaved badly since buying it a couple Months ago. On long rides it has been over-fuelling a little though, so both options are still on the table.
I'll rip into the carbs, as it was next on the list of things to do, honest your honour. Have decided not to dick around so will order new float needles, use the clear tube test to see if the floats shut off, and check float height settings. All told not a biggie as its not my daily drive/ride.
So am I thinking along the right lines fellas.
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