electrical meltdown!!

[RM]

On Wed, 17 Oct 2001, Stu wrote:

>http://www.district37ama.org/dualsport/newsletter.htm

"Honestly, I've seriously considered punching holes in potatoes and using them to make temporary baffles for the idiots that make me and the general population cringe when they ride by." Scroll to the lower section of the "DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE OFFICER'S REPORT." RM

[Stuart Mumford]

There you have it gentlemen, we have been looking in the wrong direction for potatofication. The generating force is exhaust noise, not air speed and forward pointing straight pipes. "Dr." CA Stu Exhaust Gas Potatofication Wind Tunnel MS KLR-A13, Fartzel, CA 90210 -----Original Message-----

On Wed, 17 Oct 2001, Stu wrote: >http://www.district37ama.org/dualsport/newsletter.htm "Honestly, I've seriously considered punching holes in potatoes and using them to make temporary baffles for the idiots that make me and the general population cringe when they ride by." Scroll to the lower section of the "DISTRICT LEGISLATIVE OFFICER'S REPORT." RM

[SpudLab]

On Wed, 17 Oct 2001, Stuart Mumford wrote:

>There you have it gentlemen, we have been looking in the wrong direction for >potatofication. >The generating force is exhaust noise, not air speed and forward pointing >straight pipes. > > "Dr." CA Stu >Exhaust Gas Potatofication Wind Tunnel >MS KLR-A13, Fartzel, CA 90210

So if a CR500 were filled with a 20:1 mix of sunflower oil and a potato were rammed into the exhaust with a hole poked in it, would the resulting exhaust gas smell like french fries? A scientific test is needed. Dr. RM Exhaust Gas Aromatherapy Engineer SpudTech Sector General Delivery University

[Jim Hyman]

Steve, It sounds like the starter relay is stuck in the ON/RUN position. If this is the case, the starter motor will continue to spin, even with the ignition key in the OFF position. With your battery disconnected, you can check for continuity between the two large terminals on the starter relay, if there is continuity between these terminals, the relay is faulty. It's unlikely that the starter button and the ignition switch failed simultaneously, with the starter button depressed and the ignition switch feeding voltage to the BROWN wire that goes to the kill switch and the starter button circuit. A long shot possibility could be a short circuit in the wiring harness that is suddenly feeding power to the YELLOW/RED wire that goes to the starter-circuit-relay or to the BLACK wire that goes to the starter relay. (Not very likely) You'll need a friend who is comfortable with electrical systems and trouble shooting to help you. Trickle charge your battery ASAP & make sure that it is holding a full charge. If your battery is tired, cold weather starting will be difficult. I've had no trouble starting my KLR in sub-freezing temperatures. A headlight on/off switch will help a bit with cold weather starting. Your battery may appear to be fully charged, when it only has a surface charge. Try to find a local auto parts store or electrical repair shop that knows how to do a proper load test on your fully charged battery. Note: The KLR's battery is rated at 190 c.c.a. (cold cranking amps) Many automotive load testers won't properly handle a motorcycle battery, the smallest battery that they can test is at least 500 c.c.a. Professor A9 Federal Way, WA. [USA] ps: A 40 watt light bulb left on overnight and just below the bottom engine cases does wonders for cold starts. You'll want to cover your KLR with a nonflammable cover to help trap the bulb's heat. This trick is used by your thrifty yankee neighbors on their cars when they don't have block heaters. +++++++++++++++ Steve wrote: Help!! I had my first serious malfunction this morning with my A11. I have had starting problems on cold mornings lately. Seems once the temp gets down to the freezing point the bike doesn't 'spin over' fast enough to start. I ensured the battery was fully charged and even swithed to a lighter synthetic oil. Lights are at full brightness, engine will crank and sometimes make a nasty backfire, but no start. I was thinking it was just the 'cold-blooded' nature of the machine, until this mornings horror. I tried to start the bike, it was pretty cold, around the freezing mark. It cranked pretty good, wouldn't fire, made the usual huge backfire and began to crank slower and slower. I gave up thinking it was better not to completely drain my battery and try again later when things warmed up. I turned off the ignition and to my surprise.... IT KEPT CRANKING!!! I'm standing there with the key in my hand not even touching the bike, it just slowly kept cranking or trying to, until the battery went flat! What's up with that?? Any suggestions? Steve A11 (dead!)