'02 GSX600F dies after 5 mins. Oil light, then fine

[SerDavos]

Hi.

New here, new rider too so don't know a great deal about bike mechanics yet.

Bike's been fine since I got it barring a small leak at the collector box. Then I go out on her yesterday and 5 mins into the ride it's like my clutch has disengaged, even though I'm not pressing it, my throttle is unresponsive so rev's just die off then I coast/brake at the side of the road as the engine cuts out. The oil light came on and the bike refused to start (starter was trying).
I checked the oil, looked ok to my guess but maybe on the low side a little.

After leaving the bike for a couple of minutes, it would start fine, oil light would go off and I managed to ride most of the way home before the same process repeated. I made it home after that luckily.

I'm not really able to afford to take it to a mechanic just now and would like to try to remedy this myself if possible. Could use some help though!

Thanks for any help

[MCN]

Guess from behind a plate of Shreddies (whole milk) at breakfast table:
Fuel starvation.
Is there fuel in the tank?
Is there a vent in the tank?
Is the vent clear?
On-Off cock (if fitted) Is this in the full On position.
Fuel filter (if fitted) Is it clear?

Many things can give the symptoms you describe but low fuel level would be my first check then the others.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[misscrabstick]

the oil light comes on when the engine is not running, a running engine makes oil pressure to pump oil around the engine, an engine that is not running makes no oil pressure so the light comes on, this is normal and not part of your problem.

[misscrabstick]

I guess at low battery volts due to a regulator issue, stop for a bit , battery recovers enough to start, then volts drop low, so on so on.

[SerDavos]

[MCN]

There is sometimes a vent (breather) in the fuel cap. Olde bikes.
Newer more sophisiticaed machines have the vent incorporated inside the fuel tank.
There can be a vent and an over-spill drain.
You would see these when you open the fuel tank to fill or check level.

One will be 'inside' the sealed part of the tank, which will be the vent and one outside the 'sealed' part which will be the over-spill.

Because the tank is 'effectively' sealed when the cap is fitted, as you consume fuel the level of fuel drops and that will reduce the pressure of the air in the space above the fuel. It is the weight of the fuel and air pressure (atmospheric) that pushes the fuel into the fuel system.
(Some bikes use a pump to assist the flow of fuel.)
If the vent is blocked then the pressure of air in the tank gradually reduces until there is sufficient vacuum to prevent fuel flowing to into the fuel system.
It's a bit like holding a bottle of water upside down with the top off. If you are careful the water will not pour out. Atmospheric pressure of the air outside the open bottle will act on the water and push the water in.

There will be two 1/4" diameter plastic tubes poking out the bottom of the bike under the engine area. One of these is the vent-to-atmosphere.
This keeps the tank from 'air-locking'.
Air can go in or come out. It is permitted to come out to allow for expansion of the air and fuel due to normal temperature changes.
Fill up the tank to the brim on a hot day with the fuel from cold underground tanks.
Walk in to pay.
Walk out and see 1/2 a litre of your precious fun juice has leaked out onto the concrete.

Then can get blocked and can be an arse to get clear.
I have managed to clear a blocked vent by holding the straw from a WD40 can into the vent under the cap and scooting a dose of WD40 into the line. If not blocked solid it might work. If no then it may be a tank off job.

1Bar Atmospheric Pressure
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[el_oso]

maybe too simple, but side stand cut-out switch?

on all my bikes the oil light is on when the ignition is on but the engine is not started. My guess is something is causing the ignition to cut, be it sidestand swtich or killswitch.
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Duke 390
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[weasley]

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[el_oso]

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