VFR 1000R Motor just dies

[Jpmc86]

Hi, has anyone experienced the motor just dying as if it ran out of gas. I was riding along in this very thing happened, it seemed to run out of gas. The tank was more than half full, it just would not start. Waited at least 30 minutes and it fired right up and ran about 10 minutes, only it seemed as if it was only on three cylinders. The plug caps were tight, fuel was on but it would only run a few minutes then die. I changed the fuel filter, drained and added new 92 octane gas. It starts and runs but it seems to be just three cylinders. This morning it fired and was definitely running on cylinders. Went around the block, it felt as if it was running out of gas again. Even though the plugs are new, I will pull them and install four new plugs. The motor does not smell rich when running but the plugs will provide the answer for that. If anyone has experienced this issue, please share how you solved it or ideas on what I should look for.

Thanks

[sparkplug0_4]

Problems like that can be tough to pin point. i would go through and check your fuel system(pump output, and carb vent lines and tank vent) your ignition system(coil resistance, and such) cold. then get the bike hot(in your drive way/garge) till it died and check every thing when its hot. some times coils/pumps and brain boxes get a open/short when they get to temp. also while its running carefully pull your spark plug wires see which one is missing. just remember K.I.S.S. when you start getting frustraded. (keep it simple stupid) sorry about the spelling. good luck.

[dlman]

Check for a blocked filter.

[Minax]

Check for a kinked line off the tank.... my girlfriend 750 did the exact same thing and the line wha just barely kinked between the tank and the frame

[harricanfloyd]

My buddy had a similar problem. Ended up being his kickstand switch.

[JamieDaugherty]

Originally Posted by harricanfloyd

My buddy had a similar problem. Ended up being his kickstand switch.

What kickstand switch? You are talking about the wrong bike, those didn't show up for about 10 years after this bike was made.

Anyway, I'd suggest checking the tank vent aka filler cap. I've found them to be the problem 90% of the time. Of course, this is based on your description of the problem! Try cleaning that out really good and let us know what happens.

[harricanfloyd]

Sorry my bike "ism" isn't up to snuff Mr. Newton, but it sounded like a problem my buddy had on his gsxr1100

Thanx for playin!

[Chicken Little]

Yup, fuel tank vent for me, at least 1/2 the time. I agree with K.I.S.S.

[dlman]

Can you give a description of where the vent would be? Or is it easy to find?

[JamieDaugherty]

Originally Posted by dlman

Can you give a description of where the vent would be? Or is it easy to find?

Yeah, it's pretty easy to find. It's the gas filler cap, the same part that your key goes in. The vent is built into the bottom of it. I usually just open it up, stuff a shop rag in the hole and spray the heck out of it with some carb cleaner.

[dlman]

Will that also clean out the kickstand switch too? J/K I was poking fun.

[Swoop]

It sounds all too familiar...

My bike has been like this for a month now.

"Just dies" like a lack of gas, and then will not restart even though the engine turns over fine.

Have established:
No spark.
No fuelpump.
Electrics for light/indicators/etc all works fine.

So far we have eliminated:
Kill switch. (now bypassed)
CDI module has been replaced with another unit.


Bike will start and run fine for about 5 miles, then stop.
I hate not having confidence to go for a decent ride.

Any ideas on the source of this problem greatly appreciated folks!!!!

[Minax]

about 5 min huh, then when it cools down it starts again? shouldn't be heat problem in only 5 min, pull the fuel lines off the carb and see how much fuel your getting thru those lines. Like I said b4, my girlfriends bike had just a Little kink in it and it did the same thing, she was getting fuel just not enough to keep the carbs full. it would run about 5 to 10 min (or about 2 miles) or about a min with the throttles opened up. then die and about 4 min later would start right back up.

but if your getting good fuel start it up let it run till it dies and feel the coils and make sure one of them isn't getting to hot and shorting out.

check the tank vent, clean it anyway,

another thing start it and swing the steering column. look for shorts in the wires going up to the controllers by the handelbars (you said you bypassed the kill switch) but the ignition switch could cause problems to (you never know)

[dlman]

What do you mean that there is no spark? I think that jamie told me about a heat soaking problem with the spark generator.

After have eliminated it not getting fuel. We should move on to the above I mean.

[JamieDaugherty]

Swoop, like David mentions you might try checking the pulse generators. I hesitate to suggest that because they are not a very likely culprit. It sounds like you have checked the other, more common, sources. The pulse generators can be affected by heat which would account for the 5 min of actual running. They are, after all, inside the clutch cover! It's a wonder that any electronic device can hold up in there. Be sure to check them right away after it quits running. Otherwise you might get a false positive reading.

[Swoop]

Cheers for the thoughts guys!

She runs for a distance of about five miles, and then shuts down. the running time would be approx 10 minutes???
This has happened on the freeway twice now (not pleasant trying to coast through traffic to get to the shoulder!).

We moved the handlebars to see if there was any sign of a short in that area. Nothing happened there.

dlman. Once she refuses to start there is absolutely no spark. Took plug out to check. Also, at that time, there is no sign of the fuel pump doing anything.
The fuel flow rate is fine when she is turning over and firing fine. The electrical fault seems to shut everything (related to the engine) down.

[Minax]

unbolt all the ground thru out the bike clean and check contacts.. that definently electrical.

[dlman]

Could this be the curse of the R/R?
Have you checked the contacts around battery for contact and if they are clean?

If it dies after 5 miles while its hot and works when its cooled down. I would check some wires and see if any are grounding out. Like the wires leading from the R/R (regulator rectifier {silverbox with 6 wires coming out}) look for loose connections or bare wire. All I can think of is to test the spark generator after it dies but I don't remember how. And when its safe at home (like now) check the wires. I don't know if this will work but you could wet a rag (to cool off the Regulator) and set it against the R/R and ride it around and see if you get it to die like its been doing. If it stays running it might be the R/R dieing on you?

When I suggested the same thing happening to mine it was because of the gas not getting to the carbs. And it was running out of gas. I had a kinked line and the hole in the gas cap wasn't letting air in to the tank. It only happened that one day but it was happening 3 times in a row. I was able to get her out for a spin later to work and then a 20 mile ride down the highways. Have you checked the fuel lines yet? If you take her for a ride and it dies make sure you have a regular screw driver with you. Open up the drain screw in one or more carbs to see if its has gas in there. If we eliminate all these possibilities we will be able to help you better. So humor us and try them all please.
David

[JamieDaugherty]

PULSE GENERATORS !!!!!!!!

The fuel pump is connected to the ignition system, it only pumps when the engine is running (except for the short time it runs every time the key is turned on). If the ignition system is not getting a proper signal from the pulse generators it won't fire. If it doesn't fire the pump thinks the engine it's running. Highway driving creates the most internal heat. I wish there was a way to draw huge arrows and have them point at the words above!

You need to run the bike until it quits and check the pulse generators immediately. I'm pretty certain that you'll find the solution there.

[dlman]

I think he means it.