It burst into flame!

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by RodC, Jul 10, 2018.

  1. RodC

    RodC New Member

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    Just wondering if anyone has seen anything like this. Picked up my 'o2 VFR800 (82000km) from having the valves done. Was not happy with the way it was running after a few blocks, so turned around and headed back.
    At this point I noticed some blue smoke and assumed that a little oil had fallen on the pipes/cylinder etc. wasn't too concerned. As I got closer to the shop and had to wait for a light and that's when I noticed more smoke. Pulled in behind the shop, get off the bike and there are flames coming from around the rear shock pre-load adjuster!
    The area that burnt was no where near where the mechanic worked on it.
    Any thoughts as to the cause? Just a curiosity as Insc. is probably going to write it off :(
     
  2. gojukai

    gojukai New Member

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    Farted?
    Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk
     
  3. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    That area is near the battery, low voltage - high current can generate extreme heat.
     
  4. zombie

    zombie New Member

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    How bad was the fire damage? I had my '02 in at Milton Honda last spring for the wiring recall and they basically rewired the whole bike under warranty. Did yours ever get done? What dealer did you take it to?
     
  5. RodC

    RodC New Member

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    Well it was written off. Still can't figure out what caused it. The warranty work was done several years ago and no wiring was damaged in the fire. It looks like the right muffler/exhaust over heated, (no idea why/how), melted and set fire to the seat, fairing, and preload adjuster.
     
  6. RodC

    RodC New Member

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    Not this time!
     
  7. Keager

    Keager Member

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    bummer. Hopefully you can find another.
     
  8. pandes

    pandes New Member

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    interesting thread, I have the same problem[​IMG]
     
  9. Vlad Impaler

    Vlad Impaler New Member

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    Bad valve job leads to... lean and hot engine run... leads to fire from header heat?
     
    duccmann likes this.
  10. tyarosevich

    tyarosevich New Member

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    I've 100% had an incompetent shop screw up a valve adjustment and, accordingly, a bike.
     
  11. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Stator/RR connector?
     
  12. RodC

    RodC New Member

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    No. There was nothing around the burn point that was electrical. The best I can think of is that there was some blockage in the right side muffler, (hence the poor performance), which caused over heating etc. etc.
     
  13. RodC

    RodC New Member

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    Yep. If all proceeds as expected and there are no issues with the mechanical inspection, I should take delivery of an 08 w/45K km next week.
     
  14. jethro911

    jethro911 Member

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    The area that burnt was no where near where the mechanic worked on it.
    Any thoughts as to the cause? Just a curiosity as Insc. is probably going to write it off :([/QUOTE]

    I don't think that this is an accurate statement if they indeed did a valve adjustment. Tank off, seat off fairings off, fuel line disconnected etc... They were everywhere in order to perform that task. In my experience maintaining machinery (aircraft, cars, motorcycles) for 30 years plus, you need only look at who was in there last and what they messed with. More often than not, the failure was induced by the last technician making a boo boo. Even more likely since it happened minutes after the work was completed. JMHO
     
  15. RodC

    RodC New Member

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    I don't think that this is an accurate statement if they indeed did a valve adjustment. Tank off, seat off fairings off, fuel line disconnected etc... They were everywhere in order to perform that task. In my experience maintaining machinery (aircraft, cars, motorcycles) for 30 years plus, you need only look at who was in there last and what they messed with. More often than not, the failure was induced by the last technician making a boo boo. Even more likely since it happened minutes after the work was completed. JMHO[/QUOTE]
    That's still the thought in the back of my mind.
     
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