Speedo/Rev issues

[ninjameaniekt...]

Howdy

So my ninja has sprung up with an issue recently. Its a 2009 model and has done 33K miles. Ive noticed that the rev needle wobbles and when this happens the speedo goes up and down by 1mph. So say i ride at 50, and i maintain the speed, its showing 49,50,51,50,49,50,51 etc.

The other 'feeling' im getting from the bike is that when i release the throttle, the deceleration is not smooth (as if somebody is ever so slightly blipping the throttle) and so the bike wobbles forwards and backwards - again not massively but its like a rocking sensation.

Any help will be appreciated. Ive not tinkered with the bike recently but before i did i just wanted to know if anybody had any pointers. Its had its normal services but the valve clearances haven't been checked. Thanks
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Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1500, KTM RC8, KTM 450 SXF

[Taught2BCauti...]

Could be a voltage issue - can you connect a voltmeter across the battery, in such a way that you can see it when you are riding?

If the voltage is fluctuating, that could be the cause.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[ninjameaniekt...]

[RhynoCZ]

The clocks are voltmeters, more volts go in, more the clocks show, so it should show pretty stable voltage at stable speed.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[P.]

On my old TL1000S I had to get the throttle bodies balanced, you could also reset and adjust the throttle position sensor.

Lots of silly little things like that could likely cause those issues.

[Taught2BCauti...]

I would expect the readings to be quite stable, as long as the revs are stable, but it might be better to use an old 'Analogue' type meter if you have one.

I have a digital meter that has a 'sampling rate' of 1Hz (once per second) that doesn't show small fluctuations, but my old ex-telecom analogue one does!

You will get a lower reading at tick-over, and it should peak at around 4,000 rpm.
Anything less than 12.4v, or higher than 13.7v will need further investigation - possibly the Reg/Rec is failing.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[ninjameaniekt...]

Thanks for all the responses - its a great starting point.

Ive also been reading some other forums and they mention the TPS sensor. Would this be the cause? Apparently these can require adjustment/replacement however im not sure how easy this is to do.

Also...could it be that the battery needs replacing? Ive had the same battery on the bike four about 4 years and do about 30 miles a day for commuting and it always starts first time. When do people replace theirs?

Sorry for he knoob questions.
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Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1500, KTM RC8, KTM 450 SXF

[Taught2BCauti...]

The TPS could be at fault, but wouldn't account for the 'wobble' you are getting on the rev counter speedo at the same time - which is what made me think about checking the system voltage first.

Easier to test, and eliminates a lot of other possible faults.

You are lucky to get 4 years out of a battery - must be a decent make

Edit:
I meant 'Speedo!
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[P.]

Wouldn't account for the wobble...? Have you seen what happens to the rev gauge when you twist the throttle... it moves. With an iffy TPS it will go up and down..

[ninjameaniekt...]

[P.]

Probably worth changing it now anyway, grab yourself a Motobatt

[Taught2BCauti...]

[P.]

If the speedo is voltage based, I'm sure they would rely on the throttle for some part of that system.

[pdg]

[ninjameaniekt...]

Thanks all - i was pondering this issue further.

I would be inclined to think that this is a mechanical issue rather than an electrical one (please correct me if im wrong) but heres my trail of thought.

I would assume that as the bike is pulsating (like the bike is being blipped ever so slightly) whilst im riding, then that means the bike is accelerating and decelerating constantly. Could it be that one of the cylinders is not firing as efficiently? Or am i talking bs and its an electrical fault. I cant understand why im feeling the bike pulse. Thanks in advance.
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Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R, Kawasaki Meanstreak 1500, KTM RC8, KTM 450 SXF

[P.]

Have you balanced throttle bodies and reset the throttle position sensor.

Start on a level playing field.