Rain + '82 Maxim = Bike dying on the side of the road

Evening Gents-

So I have been caught in pretty bad rain twice now and both times the bike has started acting funny. This time however I didn't make it into work due to lose of power and the bike stalling out.

I have searched and think the issue is water getting into the carbs through the filter but wanted some opinions. Everything is bone stock on the bike and I am able to ride for about 20-30 minutes before it seems like the bike bogs down. This morning I was cruising at around 60 and I noticed that i was slowing dropping in speed and RPMs. I was able to make it to the side of the road but it took me another 20 minutes to get the bike started again using full choke.

Once I was moving again I couldn't go above 4k and maybe 40 MPH. If I stopped the bike stalled out. Basically I was able to limp home by using full choke and playing with the throttle at lights. Anyone have any suggestions? This is my sole means of transportation right now and I cant afford to miss work again.

Thanks.

 

More than likely the coils getting wet, and not the carbs. Solution is to upgrade the coils, or temporarily fix them with sealant, do a search on wet coils.....

 

Are you running stock air filter or pod filters? Pods are good for sucking water in. If you have stock airbox I would concentrate on the ignition system. Rain can get everywhere in the electrics, cleaning the connectors and adding dielectric grease to help seal the connections might help.

 

I'll lay bets on one of two things:
1 - coils are getting wet, have tiny fractures, causing them to get flaky
2 - you have the dreaded TCI sensitivity to moisture

Coils are easier to troubleshoot than the TCI, unless you've got spares around somewhere.

You can dry them out really well, then give them a coat of spray sealant or if you like to get your fingers dirty, some RTV. That should fix them right up. Or go the easy way and replace with a set of Dyna DC1-1's -- a worthy upgrade even if the originals do still work.

If that doesn't fix your issues, then it's the TCI module. No reliable fixes - many have tried various sealing and waterproofing methods - none I've heard of working reliably. Replacement is the only real fix I've seen.

 

I'm with the choir, backin up Altus and the boys.
The stock coils loved to crack and any moisture that gets into them wreaks havoc with the idle. You need to pull those coils, clean them with alcohol/acetone, coat them with plasti-dip and grease the fittings with dielectric grease.
Next possible problem should be the TCI. I have had good success with clear polyurethane as a conformal coating coupled with dielectric grease on contacts to prevent water intrusion. Do NOT use clear RTV, as it cures, it releases corrosive gasses (ammonia) that will corrode metal! There are also some conformals available from LPS.

 

Well thanks to everyone for the input. Looks like I will be doing some more reading this weekend. I have a manual and will be using it quite a bit more it would appear.

Any suggestions on getting started on cleaning/coating the coils? I don't mind getting my hands dirty, and I am semi-mechanically inclined but dont have a clue as to where to start. I was hoping to use the XJ as a fun bike and a way to learn more about wrenching. Be careful what you wish for.

 

Oh and I am running a fully stock bike currently. Nothing has been changed from what I can see. Thanks again.

 

I'm with everyone else on the moisture problems.

I'm up near Baltimore if you need a hand working on your bike.

 

You can clean the coils with technical grade isopropyl alcohol (99%) with a short bristle brush and rinse with the same. The coating could be JBweld or dip like plasti-dip or liquid electrical tape (Home Depot/Lows/Ace will have this).
Best of luck and give Iwingameover a call, experienced help is a GREAT way to learn about your bike.

 

If you're out riding today and tomorrow bring a snorkel it's supposed to get deep!

 

I've seen some motorcycle coils that were completely burst wide open with corrosion growing out of them, amazing they even functioned...but first sign of moisture they fell on their face.

 

What is a more likely scenario, ... (Unless the Coil's Case is compromised) ... is that the Spark Plug Wires are "Breaking Down" and becoming wet directs the Coils Discharge to GROUND.

Now that everybody's Bike is pushing 30-Years Old, ... it wouldn't be a bad idea for all of XJ-Bikes Nation to do a Dark Running Test.

Get someplace totally dark.
Wrap the headlight with something ...
Run the Bike and observe the Spark Plug Wires.

In places where there isn't added insulation ... look for a "Lightning Show"
If the wires are shorting-out to Ground ... you see some Saint Elmo's Fire like glowing and mini lightning bolts.

It you do, the wires are losing the Coil Output to Ground and a wet Bike won't go until the wires are dried-off and the Head gets dry.

 

Get a spray bottle full of water and spray down plug wires while its running if the bike dies replace wires.