Engine problems

[1gear1brake]

I'm having problems with my red 07A. I'll try to describe as best as I can:

1. Around three weeks ago, I noticed that while my bike would start up absolutely fine in the morning, the instant I started to roll the bike back out the garage, it would cut out. I mean the instant the wheels began to turn, and it wasn't dying out, but an instant cut-out as if I'd hit the kill switch or put it into gear with the side-stand down. After running a while, the problem would disappear and the bike would be fine. Then I noticed my MOT had run out so I used my other bike for a couple of weeks until MOTing the red one.

2. Took the red bike for its MOT yesterday. Bike started first time and it passed its MOT with no problems. However, on the way back home, the bike started really playing up. It would run fine for a bit then start jerking like it was missfiring/cutting out (difficult to know which). When I came to a halt, the engine would just die.

3. When I got home, I checked and lubed the choke cable which seemed fine. I looked at the plugs and they were clean and dry and in good condition. The battery was making a healthy 13-14v at tickover and the connections were tight.

4. I did a few miles yesterday afternoon to get a better feel for the problem. It went a bit like this: The bike would always start without hesitation. Lights and heated grips seemed to be working okay. It would ride okay for a while then begin the missfire/cutting out. At this time and while still rolling, if I pulled in the clutch the engine would die out, though it would bump start if I let the clutch out again. If I came to a halt (letting the engine die) it would start again on the button without hesitation. Upon starting, the engine would rev freely but really start to struggle when I put it in gear (I didn't feel any surging forward as I tried to rev the bike with the clutch in though). When I went to pull away, the engine would stall within a few feet. A couple of times, this stalling would go as far as switching the ignition off and on again. By this I mean that the trip computer would go off then come back on, displaying the 8888 etc display as it does at startup (it did NOT lose its data and reset to zero).

My feeling is that it is electrical rather than a fueling problem. Two questions I'd like answered are:
Is there a sensor somewhere that would cause the problem I describe in part 1?
What causes a bike to rev freely in neutral then stall upon pulling away as described in part 4?

A little history. The bike is on 64,000ish miles.
- I changed the plugs, oil and filter at 63,290.
- Reg/rec malfunctioned and was replaced at 62,690 albeit with a hand-me-down from my black bike which tends to get the new parts!
-Battery replaced at 56,950.
-Air filter replaced at 60,564 and looks clean.

Sorry for the essay! Here's hoping that something here rings a bell with someone.

Cheers
Dylan
(I'll be in the garage)


Edit: Turned the key this morning and there was nothing at all. No idiot lights, trip comp etc. Battery fine and turned over when shorting across solenoid. Sprayed lube, then contact cleaner onto bottom of ignition barrel and electrics came back to life. Bike started fine but wouldn't run in gear or pull away as before. Going to Halfords now to buy tool to remove cover from bottom of ignition barrel to check wiring.

[Wiff]

Hi I had a similar problem and it turned out to be the side stand switch when I was riding the stand would vibrate making the bike feel like it had a misfire if you start the engine put the stand up and waggle it about if it’s the switch it will cut the engine out or you could bypass the switch and ride it and see if it works hope this is of some help to you

[Ysbytymike]

Would never have thought of that. One way to find out if it is the case, would be to electrical cable tie the sidestand to the frame tight then go for a quick spin.

[Treadtrader]

How about the neutral switch, that's also tied in with the propstand.

If runs in neutral then plays up in gear has to be in that circuit possibly.

Just some random thoughts.

[1gear1brake]

Thanks for the input guys. I just looked at the ignition switch and there was corrosion where the wires are soldered onto it. I've hot-wired it for now to take that out of the equation and will replace it with a pattern part. The neutral switch idea from treadtrader sounds an interesting idea. I will look into that next I think. I will have a look at the sidestand switch just to eliminate it aswell.

Cheers
Dylan

[RodYork]

I would have gone for the ignition barrel or the sidestand..they have both been mentioned. Not heard of the neutral switch offering- that sould apossible culprit!

Do keep us informed- I thought your explanation was really good...so much better than a "my bike won't start in the rain- what can it be " job

[StumpyFingers]

I was going to mention the Ignition switch, or a loose connector / plug somewhere.

[Treadtrader]

I thought my sidestand switch was playing up, expensive to replace from Honda, £55.00 + p&p if i remember.
Found a new Aprilia RS125 one on fleeebay for £5.00. Same switch.
Has to be a 3 wire not 2. with the correct length of wire.

[scarfacehugo]

Hi Dylan!

For what I understood , It can only be one of three things.

IF it is electrical - Ignition barrel, kill switch or side stand switch. Considering that your battery leads are tight in the battery.

I would go for the side stand first.

[1gear1brake]

Thanks again folks. God knows what I've done now. I just went out to check a couple of ideas but now it's completely dead. Battery still has full charge but nothing happens when I connect the ignition wires. My neighbour thinks that I may have fried the live wire somewhere between the battery and ignition switch. Awesome!!!

I was going to try bypassing the sidestand switch but was unsure how. Can anyone enlighten me on that one? I am happy to do without it.

Did i mention that I HATE electrics. I am working with a flood damaged Haynes manual whose pages have to be eased apart gently with a pen knife and that doesn't help.The light is gone now, and so is my patience. I had to walk away from it or my lovely bike may have ended up at the bottom of the cliffs at the end of the road. It might be next weekend before I can try again.