GSF600, Faulty Spark Plugs?

Thumperabbit · Scooby Slapper Joined: 06 Apr 2007 Karma :

Due to the cold weather, as many of us I have to use the choke for a minute or two in the mornings.

My issue being that my bike ticks over nicely after a minute or two of choke, but after about 5-10minute's of fine riding, my acceleration starts to get lose performance.

I can then hear the engine chugging even at about 30-40mph in the suitable gear. If I have to come to a stop I have to keep the bike at about 4000 rev's just to stop it from stalling.

When the engine stalls, if doesn't matter how warm the engine is at this point I gotta use the choke with a fair amount of throttle just to get it started again.

Sparkplugs?
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Name:Dan
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Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Would it help to make some kind of carb jumper to keep them warm?
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Does sound like possible carb icing. Fairly cold damp weather is the worst for it. If it gets colder then the air doesn't contain enough water vapour for it to be a problem. Problem is caused by cold air going through the carbs and taking the heat from them, plus the fuel from the carbs taking even more heat from them. The carb body gets so cold (especially round the jets) that the water vapour in the air condenses on the inside of the carb and freezes.

Normally the bike will be fine when first started, and probably fine at low speed. Bit of high speed running and it will happen, and then clear after a few minutes stuck in traffic (ie, little air flow through the carbs and time for the heat from the engine to flood back and warm the carbs up).

Check the carb heaters are fitted (quite likely not fitted to a parallel import) and are working.

However it has to be said that in winter it seems 90% of problems are blamed on carb icing, when really it isn't that common.

Surprised you need to use the choke for that long in the morning.

All the best

Keith
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