[Rudy]

imported post

I was riding in the mountains recently and came to a sharp downhill curve. So much so that I overshot the corner as I came around a rock face and almost used an oncoming car as a launching ramp over the edge and down the mountainside. I pulled it in hard and just cleared the now braking oncoming car and then pulled hard to the left to stabilize in my lane still rolling along nicely.

Within about 100 yards, the bike engine lost power (no sputtering) and quietly went to sleep while still rolling downhill at about 30 mph. While I was still rolling I tried compression restart and checked to see that the kill switch was in run position (it was). No dice.

It rolled to a stop with all electrical power still in tact. CB, lights, everything. I called the group ahead on the CB to let them know I had dropped out (I was the tail gunner) and by the time they stopped, turned around and came back, I hit the starter and it started right up and ran like it was wondering why we were all standing around looking at it. Not a wimper, sputter or misfire.

I continued down the mountain and ended up riding another 70 miles, half of which was at 70 mph on the interstate. Again no problem.

We had been climbing steeply up till about a mile before. It was about 89 F and about the same humidity.

I'm guessing either the fuel filter or some type of bank angle sensor that I dont know about. Either that or the bike just needed to stop a minute and give thanks. I know I did. The Mrs. on the back wasn't real happy about any of it, at all. Can't blame her because I don't really know how we missed that car. Looked like toast to me.

Anybody want to take a crack at it?

 

[Silicon Sam]

imported post

I'm sure that 99% will say Bank Angle sensor. Common problem, and there was a recall on some models.

Raymond

 

[axelwik]

imported post

Like Silicon Sam said, bank angle sensor... designed to shut the engine off if the bike tips over.

 

[exavid]

imported post

If the bank angle sensor was working correctly why would it trip when in a turn? The Gforce should still be parallel to the plane of the wheels just as it would be when upright. Like an airplane the banking of the bike keeps the turn coordinated, a glass of water on the tank wouldn't spill in a turn. Also why would it take the time to go 100yds before the thing shut down?

I'm sure you guys have the right answer, but don't exactly see why it should sense an excessive angle. If the thing just didn't work right maybe so.

 

[Rudy]

imported post

Thanks guys.

Where is it and what is involved with changing it?

Given this theory, I'm thinking that the hard bank right followed by the hard bank left may have shook up the glass of water off axis too fast (or the sensor is bad).

The hundred yards was when I noticed the loss of power, I may have been a little mentally occupied prior to that. Also the engine already had momentum and at that point it was still downhill.

Donno.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

exavid wrote:

If the bank angle sensor was working correctly why would it trip when in a turn? The Gforce should still be parallel to the plane of the wheels just as it would be when upright. Like an airplane the banking of the bike keeps the turn coordinated, a glass of water on the tank wouldn't spill in a turn. Also why would it take the time to go 100yds before the thing shut down?

I'm sure you guys have the right answer, but don't exactly see why it should sense an excessive angle. If the thing just didn't work right maybe so.

With the violent maneuvering that he did, I have no doubt that the bank-angle sensor shut the engine down.

exavid, why don't you take the turn and bank indicator out of your airplane, mount it on your bike and see what happens with violent evasive maneuvers?

 

[exavid]

imported post

axelwik wrote:

With the violent maneuvering that he did, I have no doubt that the bank-angle sensor shut the engine down.
exavid, why don't you take the turn and bank indicator out of your airplane, mount it on your bike and see what happens with violent evasive maneuvers?

I agreed with you that it's most likelydefective tilt sensor.

That said, there's a big difference between and aircraft and a bike. A bike isn't capable of an uncoordinated turn unless you skid, slide, or fall off into the turn as in slow dropping accidents. In his description Rudy didn't mention skidding or sliding.The sensorwould have to be defective toactivate as we've all said. What Rudy described isn'tthat differentfrom running down a series of tight twisties.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

exavid wrote:

axelwik wrote:

With the violent maneuvering that he did, I have no doubt that the bank-angle sensor shut the engine down.
exavid, why don't you take the turn and bank indicator out of your airplane, mount it on your bike and see what happens with violent evasive maneuvers?

I agreed with you that it's most likelydefective tilt sensor.

That said, there's a big difference between and aircraft and a bike. A bike isn't capable of an uncoordinated turn unless you skid, slide, or fall off into the turn as in slow dropping accidents. In his description Rudy didn't mention skidding or sliding.The sensorwould have to be defective toactivate as we've all said. What Rudy described isn'tthat differentfrom running down a series of tight twisties.

Agreed, but with nice smooth riding. With violent countersteering, side loads would be present.

 

[GWNorman]

imported post

Didn't the bank angle sensor also shut off the dash lights when it tripped? I seem to remember that. Turning the key on and off restored everything until next time the sensor got cranky.

 

[DJ]

imported post

GWNorman wrote:

Didn't the bank angle sensor also shut off the dash lights when it tripped? I seem to remember that. Turning the key on and off restored everything until next time the sensor got cranky.

Thats correct. All the other lights stay on when the tilt sensor trips, except for the dash lights.

 

[wingdo]

imported post

How to check a bank angle sensor!!!!

Have the engine running at normal tick over and both stands up, Shake the bike violentlyby holding the handle barsand if it is the bank angle sensor the engine should cut out.

Second clue....if it does cut out it can only be REstarted by switching it off and on again.

If it is only in the early stages of failing it may not cut out.

 

[exavid]

imported post

wingdo wrote:

How to check a bank angle sensor!!!!

Have the engine running at normal tick over and both stands up, Shake the bike violentlyby holding the handle barsand if it is the bank angle sensor the engine should cut out.

Second clue....if it does cut out it can only be REstarted by switching it off and on again.

If it is only in the early stages of failing it may not cut out.

Might want to have some help with this one so the bike doesn't take charge.

 

[axelwik]

imported post

exavid wrote:

wingdo wrote:

How to check a bank angle sensor!!!!

Have the engine running at normal tick over and both stands up, Shake the bike violentlyby holding the handle barsand if it is the bank angle sensor the engine should cut out.

Second clue....if it does cut out it can only be REstarted by switching it off and on again.

If it is only in the early stages of failing it may not cut out.

Might want to have some help with this one so the bike doesn't take charge.

Yep, it's a heavy one.

 

[Rudy]

imported post

To sum up responses to all above (I think):

There was no skidding, just the hardest possible right while going down hill at about 50 mph followed by a strong stabilizing left.

The dash lights may have gone out but I didn't notice because I was kinda busy.

I tested the sensor by contacting my Honda service manager to find out whether the recall was still in effect and if my bike had been serviced for it. It was and it hadn't been. Free replacement.. you bet... it's outta here. I'll test the new one again in another 16 years. BTW, the sensor is $48 after tax in Georgia.

The service manager also told me that in the 16 years this bike had been around, it had never had a shop warranty record. He said I got a good one.

Thanks all

 

[exavid]

imported post

Glad to hear you got a free replacement, free is good!

 

[Phil]

imported post

Glad your sorted m8 - just for info I arrived at a roundabout a bit quick (when i had my 15) and it was a bit touch and go whether i was going to get the bike around the roundabout - anyway by accident I just gently kissed the kill switch halfway round the roundabout with my thumb - it was the slightest of touches but in all the panic it was enough to kill the engine dead. Dont ask me why my thumb was in that position I do not know but it was and I saw the switch move and then drop back into its normal position.

Rgds

Phil

 

[Rudy]

imported post

It's amazing what you see (and don't see, and think you see) in the midst of a crisis.

I would swear that I saw my wheel cross back over the yellow line because I was worried about it sliding out across the smooth paint but riding since then, I can't see my wheel through the fork hole. Of course riding along, you don't see the wheel sideways too often either.

(watch out for those fork holes )

 

[Phil]

imported post

as rightly said above m8 blind panic is great for seeing things

Phil