running real bad after rain SOLVED

I went for a ride yesterday, it started raining around 10am I rode in it for about 5 hours, after 3 hours the bike started to sound like it was only running on two or three cylinders. This would last for a few miles and then it would kick in a run normally. I started to head home, deciding to take the highway. I couldn't get it up to 55 mph, but the rpms were normal for running at this speed. I went to get off the highway and it kicked in and started running normally, so I took it to 75 and made a b-line home. Every time I had to slow or stop, the same problem would happen. As the rain stopped it started kicking in faster, so I thought it might be wet plug wires. When I got home I checked the plugs they were normal. I checked my fuel line, and replaced the fuel filter. I put dry gas in my tank thinking it might be moisture, but that didn't help. I went to start it today and the same problem persist.
Looking for ideas gang, where do I start?

 

Re: running real bad after rain

Coils, and their mounting points.

The coils on these bikes have a tendency to develop hairline surface cracks that get filled with dirt which then conducts electricity when wet.

CLEAN your coils off and carefully inspect them; if you find cracks you'll need to get them DRY dry and then paint with liquid electrical tape.

Also look at there the armature emerges from the cast plastic, cracks there can let moisture in also.

 

Re: running real bad after rain

Yep...my vote is the coils also. Mine would miss when damp. Found a split in one of the coils. I installed HD stock coils and wires at $50.00 per pair and have never been happier.

 

Re: running real bad after rain

Coils.

I found very visible cracks in my left side coil.

My bike would run rough for a while after washing engine.
Early this year I took off gas tank and washed (sprayed with Simple Green & hosed) everything underneath, thinking at the time ‘this may not be a good idea’. Immediately after that #1 & #4 cylinders stopped firing and did not correct by riding it out. So I took off the coils and found the cracks in the left one. I took a hair dryer to the coil and got it nearly too hot to touch and let it sit overnight. The next day it worked.

I rode a few days (during dry weather) to be sure the coil was dried out using engine heat.
Then I cleaned the coil surface with alcohol let dry and smeared cracks with high temp black RTV and let cure.

I washed engine the other day and no problems.

As bigfit52 wrote, inspect closely where the plastic case meets the square laminated metal bar.

 

Re: running real bad after rain

drain the bowls then run half a bottle of HEAT through it to check "water in the tank and bowls" off your list of possibilities. Won't cost ya nothin but $5 then if it keeps acting up then take more drastic measures as recomended.

I ride year 'round in Seattle and water is always getting directly into my #4 float bowl via the pod filter when on the sidestand while away from home. Happened last night at the bar as a matter of fact.

 

It was the coils guys, I replaced them and Frankies running great once again.
Thanks to all that contributed, made my job a lot easier.
You guys rock