Deep water = Dead bike!

[Damz]

Hi guys,

Was out at the beach on my 81 tt250 over the weekend, found a nice swampy area to play in, as we boys do.

All was going well until I decided to go through with a bit of speed, then the bike started spluttering, slowing down, and eventually, the engine stalled. It was reluctant to start, but a couple minutes later it fired up, but ran a little rough. After a couple more mins, it was running great again, as though nothing had happened.

From what I figure, something got wet, and slowly dried out.

Being new to bikes, what would you suggest got wet? Spark plug? Lead?

And what can I do to remedy the problem, I was thinking silicon spray, or a new lead if need be?

Thanks in advance!

[Coldrider]

Salt water conducts really well, make sure the coil and spark plug leads are dry.

[xwhatsit]

Some people claim issues with my bike and wet weather. I haven't had these problems, but I've read a bit about it just in case I have to take action.

The two best ways to solve it on my bike is to get a brand new lead (with the boot on the end), for a start. That way you've eliminated one variable. Copious amounts of silicone spray. But the best cure, is apparently to relocate the coil further back, more sheltered between the tank and the frame. Spark plug leads are always much longer than they need be, so you should try and get it back as far as possible.

[Damz]

Awesome thanks for that bud. Will do all of the above and see how I get on!

Damian

[Damz]

Just to update, I found the problem..

I started the bike up, and has the hose handy, on low flow. I squirted the coil only, no reaction. Then drowned the spark plug, no reaction. Then all around the magneto cover, no reaction..

So I turned the hose up full and soaked the bike, and it spluttered! I finally found a choc block (
So thats a nice easy fix, little bit of solder and some heat shrink then its waterproof!

Thanks for the ideas

[xwhatsit]

Awesome

I hate electrics. They look nice on paper -- bold, confident black lines carrying imaginary electrons across the page -- but once you transpose them into the real world and put them on a motorcycle it doesn't quite come together so well.

[XT600]

As the Great Physicist Martyn once said "Water + Electricity = Misery"

tis true, and the best way to avoid that happening is to actually slow down a little........ not as much fun I know...... but believe me if you end up with "water inside engine + Speed = Bent Conrod" then that one hurts even more!

[Damz]

Ouch. Point taken..

And actually over the weekend I did slow down, even thought i found the problem. It was just as much fun crawling through in first (right on the point where if you go any slower, you cant balance) as it was flying through in 2nd!

Needless to say, the old TT is yet to get stuck!