It just Died

[brianfriend]

I bought an 01 rsv in July and have had no problems...untill today. I am a newbie on ALL bikes so I don't even know where to start.

I came up to a stop and as I started to go the bike seemed to stall for 1/2 second as I tried to accellerate.

Then a little further down the road it started stuttering at about 4k rpm and backfiring a little bit. I thought maybe it was out of gas so I filled it up. Started up just fine. As I rode it a bit more the problem got worse and worse.

I fianally got it home. New systems developed on the way. The Tach started jumping around, engine would rev but slowly and would start to stall out under load. Then the turnsignals started fast flashing but all the bulbs were fine, Gas light came on. Then the tach and dash shut off completelly but the head light was still on but very dull. I shut off the bike and tried to start it again a few hours later and NOTHING happened.

Any Ideas? I am thinking it is REALLY JACKED up and would really appreciate any help.

Brian

[Tee-Dub]

Jump in here guys, but defenitely sounds electrical. Rectifier/regulator maybe?

[Lateshift]

Sounds to me like the battery is knackered or indeed the rectifier, although i have to say that my bike did this when the battery died (not my RSV), it was sorted with a new battery.

The strange problems you are getting there all tend to be related to stuff trying to draw voltage from the bike and not the battery (because the battery itself is trying desperately to charge).

Test your battery first of all

[X-CBR MAN]

This might not be your problem but same happened to mine, dieing, fuel light on, bucking ect. then died. My problem was the connector from the voltage regulator was all metlted. Had to cut and solder connections.

[NorCalRSVR]

Yeah, could be any of those things but I'd start with your battery. Make sure it's charged and if possible get it load tested if you are unable to do that yourself. Once you establish the battery condition you can proceed from there. If it all checks out and the battery is in good shape, I'd check the ground. Generally anytime you have a cascading type fault (many systems affected in an accrual like fashion) a bad ground is usually the culprit. Start with the negative connection at the battery. Make sure it's clean, and tight. Then follow the ground lead from the battery to the frame and make sure that it's clean and tightly connected to the frame. Then check the frame to engine lead and do the same there. Any signs of corrosion at all, remove the bolt and clean with a wire brush. Spray with contact cleaner after wire brushing and wipe dry. Then connect the cable again and ensure it's tight, then spray with a silicone corrosion preventative. IF all that fails, let us know here and we'll try to help or take it to your local dealer......sean

[brianfriend]

That could be the deal. The bike has been sitting in the garage for more than a month. It started right up but maybe that was the last of the juice.

I will try the battery first and check the connectors...thanks for the heads up.

Brian

[brianfriend]

Thanks for your input. My panick was unwarrented. When I checked the battery.....It turns out the cable had rattled loose and fell off. Once I reconected it it ran like a champ.

It must have been loose for some time because it ran better than it has in the past.

Brian