Fueling Gremlins
Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
- flatlander
- Eprom Test Pilot (Stig)
- Posts: 3097
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:06 pm
- Location: cheshire
Know I am going to create a to do list for spring and running cleaner will be on it ! :)
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
I've had the poor fuelling issue a few times. Mainly after a heavy downpour which has led me to think that I'm getting water in the tank. It usually resolves itself after a couple of tankfuls have been used, so long as I run right down to reserve. I was thinking of investing in a new filler cap seal to see if that solves it once and for all but may be tempted to try some injector cleaner too now after reading this thread on the premise that it won't do any harm.
I'm right 98% of the time so why worry about the other 3%?
Got the bike back this morning, ran it for about 20 miles all seems OK so far.
Aprilia mechanic said it was probably a carbon build-up in the throttle bodies causing a disturbed air flow. So there!
I need to give it a long run out but wont have time for a week or so.
Aprilia mechanic said it was probably a carbon build-up in the throttle bodies causing a disturbed air flow. So there!
I need to give it a long run out but wont have time for a week or so.
Dave
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
- Willopotomas
- GP Racer
- Posts: 2256
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:11 pm
- Location: Coventry, ENGLAND
Sounds like a load of bollocks to me.. Carbon?? In the throttle bodies? Shouldn't be there in the first place! A "disturbed air flow" as they call it wouldn't cause the problems you've had. I'm guessing they've taken it all off for a clean and come up with some fancy sounding reason behind the extortionate bill you've probably been landed with.wavey wrote: Aprilia mechanic said it was probably a carbon build-up in the throttle bodies causing a disturbed air flow. So there!
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handle bars to the saddle.
- anzacinexile
- SuperSport Racer
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: UK South Coast
My feelings exactly, absolute rubbish and bullshitWillopotomas wrote:Sounds like a load of bollocks to me.. Carbon?? In the throttle bodies? Shouldn't be there in the first place! A "disturbed air flow" as they call it wouldn't cause the problems you've had. I'm guessing they've taken it all off for a clean and come up with some fancy sounding reason behind the extortionate bill you've probably been landed with.wavey wrote: Aprilia mechanic said it was probably a carbon build-up in the throttle bodies causing a disturbed air flow. So there!
Probably just cleaning the injectors cured it but I need to justify my HUGE bill - thank you
Invoice Details
"1 Hour Investigation
Clean Stepper motor
Clean Throttle Manifolds
Power Commander Fitted To Bike, This Could Be Cause Of Problems"
I very much doubt the PC had anything to do with it.
I also had them do a basic service while they had it in the garage.
Actually 2 hours billed @ £44 per hour plus £48 for parts (oil, filter, washer, bulb, lubes)
Total bill £163 not too bad I thought.
"1 Hour Investigation
Clean Stepper motor
Clean Throttle Manifolds
Power Commander Fitted To Bike, This Could Be Cause Of Problems"
I very much doubt the PC had anything to do with it.
I also had them do a basic service while they had it in the garage.
Actually 2 hours billed @ £44 per hour plus £48 for parts (oil, filter, washer, bulb, lubes)
Total bill £163 not too bad I thought.
Dave
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
- Willopotomas
- GP Racer
- Posts: 2256
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:11 pm
- Location: Coventry, ENGLAND
For a dealer, thats not too bad at all. A friend of mine was quoted over £600 to do the valve clearances on a 600 Bandit.. The dealer advised him not to take to any 'back street mechanics' as they won't know what they're doing and will bugger the engine..lol Needless to say he bought the bike to us where we did a full service, valve clearances, new clutch, removed the EGR system and balanced the carbs for a mere fraction of the cost. 

Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handle bars to the saddle.
- anzacinexile
- SuperSport Racer
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: UK South Coast
- flatlander
- Eprom Test Pilot (Stig)
- Posts: 3097
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:06 pm
- Location: cheshire
to do what? Had 6/7 bandits never had to do anything like that lolWillopotomas wrote: quoted over £600 to do the valve clearances on a 600 Bandit..
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock
- Willopotomas
- GP Racer
- Posts: 2256
- Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:11 pm
- Location: Coventry, ENGLAND
The valves had recessed in to the head on this one. 40K+ miles on it.. last service was nearly 10,000 miles ago and never had the valve clearences done. He's had the bike from new, so knows this..lol. 5 exhaust and 6 inlet were tight! 

Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handle bars to the saddle.
anzacinexile wrote:wavey wrote:Clean Stepper motor
Dont want to piss on your bonfire but BULLSHIT again.
WHAT stepper motor, the only stepper motor on the Falcos is the rev counter
Methinks your plonker is being pulled
Definitely
And even if you had one (other than in the clocks), I'd find it difficult to understand why cleaning it might be the thing to do!
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
- Aladinsaneuk
- Aprilia Admin
- Posts: 9503
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Webfoot territory
2 hours labour... and they did a mini service as well?
am willing to bet that some injector cleaner was added to the tank, and carb cleaner sprayed through the throttle bodies....
am willing to bet that some injector cleaner was added to the tank, and carb cleaner sprayed through the throttle bodies....
Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...
Finally got time for a ride out today, only 75 miles but she's running fine. Although maybe a tiny little bit 'fluffy' at very low revs. Probably time for new plugs, think I'll get some Iridiums and see how they go.
Dave
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.