Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Strange thing happened yesterday.

I was on 3 hours ride in 60 degree weather. When I got to my destinations, I turned off my bike, and let it sit for 20 mins. However, when it was time to go back it wouldn't start. I opened the choker, and got it running from 3rd try. When I closed the choker, it died again. After 15-17 more tries bike started running normaly.

Now, what a hell happened, and how can I prevent this from happening again?

I ride 2006 katana, and it has only 2100 miles on it. I figured maybe carburator was too hot, and mixure is too rich and carb needs to be cooled off after long riding time.. am I right?

Hmmmm. Sounds like a vapor lock possibly. Where the liquid gas in the carb turns to vapor after getting pretty hot. Seems to me, the only fix I can really remember was adding in a low pressure fuel pump. I think there are other ways around it though. Maybe some others here can you give you more suggestions.

Where do you live.
Here in NC, we had problems like this for about 2 weeks. It was the pumps still carrying the Winter Blend fuel while the days were getting warmer. It was mandatory for all the pumps to switch over to Summer Blend by May 1st. Haven't had any complaints since.
The Winter Blend would vaporize sooner causing the vapor lock.
The Road Stars were the bikes with the most problems.

Aaah yes, good call CORSCO. I remember having that problem a while ago here in Colorado.

the last time you fillled ur bike up with gas the gas pump didn't have a sticker that said "E85"? or a 10% E Blend?? Only use super unleaded 93 octane in ur bike! trust me,, im being nice,,, I was yelled at by the Board of TMW

Why would you need to put only 93 octane in? My bike runs better on 87.

MotoF150 wrote:the last time you fillled ur bike up with gas the gas pump didn't have a sticker that said "E85"? or a 10% E Blend?? Only use super unleaded 93 octane in ur bike! trust me,, im being nice,,, I was yelled at by the Board of TMW

yep. i always put 93, wouldnt put anything less..

Then, on another note, TOday I got down to car wash, washed my bike, and it wouldn't start AGAIN!!! took me couple of tries to start it, but as soon as I change it to gear it sounds like carb starts to choke, and it dies while im opening little bit of throttled.. i just let it run on a choker for 5-10 seconds, and it started working normaly again. Its pretty damn warm in seattle now, so i don't see a reason to warm up bike with a choker on for long time..


i'll try to increase mixure a bit, and see how it will go