Lumpy as me mums gravy :(

Hi all, had my cat since I passed in June this year. Only problem is it runs rough and lumpy at slow speeds. Normally under 3k when there is just a whiff of throttle. The bike will judder and generally run rough,until I open the throttle more and then it's fine. Makes it a bit of a pain round town or in traffic Was led to believe that this was the way the cat is but since discovered it's not :( the bike is long over due for a service as I took the air-filter off earlier this week and found half a forest including wildlife in the filter. Cleaned it out and it runs better but not perfect problem is still there. Planning on doing a service chaining the plugs, oil, filters, and cleaning and balancing the carbs. However read that it could be the tps? But not sure what this is. Wondering weather anyone else has had this problem and if a good bit of tlc will cure it? Or to look for something specific. Oh and already been suggested that I should ride faster then it won't be a problem.ha ha looking forward to your input folks.

Carb balancing sounds probable, might be a silly question but I take it you are not slogging the engine by riding in too high a gear?

Yay.
Another Burtonian!

Service it first, that will definitely make it feel and sound better. Then clean and balance carbs, Just as Robert said.
Dont forget to change the fuel filter, especially if its been neglected.
If it still runs rough, the ignition coils would be my next port of call.
Sean.

P.S. I wouldnt advise that you try to run it faster......it wont cure it!

Having started to move discussion threads into sub topics I came upon a similar problem that seemed to suggest it maybe caused by loose or dirty/corroded battery terminals.
Worth a wee peep.

Thanks for your input guys and nope does it eaven in first at slowish speeds Robert, did wonder me self about that when going a little quicker but doesn't make a difference seems to be at lowish revs with only a bit of throttle in any gear. And yup glad found a burtonian Sean wonder if you have had any work done at arnolds and what you thought? As for the fuel filter......didn't occur to me about that. As for the coils though wouldn't that affect the bike at any time? Not just at low revs? Will still check Or the battery terminals old cat read about that here and still didnt think. Will have to do some tinkering this weekend I think. Need to buy a Haynes manual as well :/ want to get it sorted tho don't think it's anything major just a bit annoying and spoils the bike.

Revs below 3 000 the bike is running on the idle jets, I suspect they are either partially blocked or gummed up. I have suggested some carb cleaner before, not sure if that cured the problem in a previous case.

My 'new' Cat had that issue, I got rid of it by doing a few thou miles reasonably quickly ( as in a short period of time rather than stretching the throttle cable )

Ahhhhh could explain a bit then as you say a gummed up blocked idle jet/jets will investigate. And will try that as well if it worked for you. I have done a fair few miles already but they have been sort of in frequent long trips. But using it daily will soon rack up a few thousand miles. Have to hope the weather holds out, matts don't like getting wet. Cheers Steve

I recently had a problem that I was convinced was fuel related; lumpy running at low revs, cleared at higher speeds. I cleaned the carbs, no difference. Finally tracked it down to a bad plug cap ; replaced it and all is sweet again. Don't rule out plugs/leads/caps/coils!

Littledel wrote: And yup glad found a burtonian Sean wonder if you have had any work done at Arnolds and what you thought? As for the fuel filter......didn't occur to me about that.

Nope, Ive not personally had any work done at Arnolds.
Mainly because I find them very over priced compared to other local garages.
To be honest, I like to do my own work on the bike (Well, what a competent home mechanic can do anyways!!!)

I can however recommend a garage in Burton for you, the European Car specialist on Wetmore road.
If you ask for Alan, he is the owner, he is a bike enthusiast who marshals at most of the BSB rounds (motogp and wsb when they come over)
He also rides a new gsxr 1000, which is probably the best bike I have ever ridden!! So knows his stuff.
Ive had various work done by him including timing belts on my Ducati

Sean.

P.S if you fancy a ride out mate, let me know. Im always out and about on my Cat!!!

Cheers Sean did think they would be expensive. I wanted some bar ends for mine as they were anodised blue. And wanted either silver or black......£68 they wanted! Decided that was to much so took the blue ones off and put them in the lathe and emery clothed em up nice shiny and silver now. As for the garage that would be perfect. I live on wetmore road so even better. Didn't know they did bikes though but will pop in and speak to him soon. My mum and dad used to use facelifts for there bikes. They have closed now buuut the mechanic said he would still do work( cash in hand job) but in truth I wasn't impressed with the standard of work. My dads got a fj 12 and he had the top half of the fairing repaired and repainted. Made a good job.....shame it didn't match the rest of the fairing.lol also he put the tyre on the wrong way round one mums Suzuki :O. And definitely up for a ride out Sean where abouts in burton are you? Had a quick look at the bike as well checked the battery terminals cleaned em up hasn't sorted it though. As per usual no time to look at the bike this weekend :( not to worry week off coming up so will have plenty of time to check

Yeah. I went Arnolds for some plugs last week. Set of NGK for the Cat.......£32!!!! I got them from Motormania in the end @ £24!!!

To be honest, I would only use them as a last resort, If I was really stuck I would go there.

As for the bar ends, there is a few on eBay for about £25, look quite good. Im going to take mine to a powder coaters in Derby to have them cleaned up!

I live in Tutbury BTW, so not actually in Burton, but close enough!

If you read Weasly's post, that might be the next easiest thing to check, along with the plugs. He had a very simlar issue a few weeks back.

Sean.

Use motormania a fair bit for things specially for me car. Was thinking of getting all the bits of eBay to save a bit of money. Anything I can get over the counter would be better though. As for powder coating can get that done at work for nowt however normally only black or yellow.ha ha.if anybody close to me needs anything doing, welding, machining things like that have to let me know and I'll see what I can do. And yeaa turbury is only a stones throw.Normally go riding around there.And doing everything people have suggested rule it out if nothing else. Will have to wait though till me week off.

Littledel wrote:As for powder coating can get that done at work for nowt however normally only black or yellow

Erm......any chance you could do my bar ends????

(P.S I know it cheeky, but as the saying goes, if you dont ask!)

Yea should be able to mate.will check with the powder coat guys see what they have on I'll emery em up to get rid of the scratches if there are any. They were a few on mine came up perfect once I had finished and shiny silver. Will get on it tonight mate, just got to work so will let you know.

Cool. Thanks!
Im in no rush, so just do them whenever.
At the min they are painted black......very badly!! (Not by me might I add!)
Do I need to get rid of all the paint before they get powder coated??

Can let us have em anytime mate be no problem. And nope just need to take em off.I'll put em in a lathe and emery cloth em up,will take off the old paint and any scratches or scuffs. Let us know when ya want em doing go past your patch on me way to and from work. So problem for me to pick em up.lol

Just to give you all a quick update, case you were all wondering on me week off going to thoroughly check the bike this week. Done a few jobs that I wanted to do, cosmetic mainly. Anaways got a Haynes manual(£8 from amazon, bargain ) and carb balancers might do a thread bout that when I balance em, with pics? If people like? Everything else I've got oil,plugs,filter etc. Will let everyone know how it goes

If you get stuck or need some advice, give me a bell!
Clean the carbs if you have time chap. Did mine last weekend......you wont regret it!!!

Sean.

Cheers Sean should be alrite though and intend to take em off and clean em. Got a lot of tinkering coming up ordered some s/s downpipes to fit as well. Annnnnd need to dons wheel bearing on me car :( did ya get the post bout ya bar ends btw?

Yes I did thanks mate, had a busy week last week, so didnt get chance to reply. Can I drop them off at yours on Wednesday night? (I have to go to Hawkins lane, so not too far from you!!)
How much do you want for doing them?

Sean.

Want b at home then mate stopping at misuses wednesday and off work this week so won't b able to do them till next week either. Have to organise something for next week. Like I say go past tutbury so can pick em up on me way to work in the evening and drop off on the way home in the morning if ya prefere?

No worries dude.
Like I said, not in any rush, but would like em doing!!

Let me know when your in this neck of the woods again and I'll meet up with you.

Sean.

Yea no worries sean, sort something out. Oh bout cost, nowt mate.lol no skin off my nose mate.

Well quick update for you all.
Done a fair bit on the bike. New plugs, air filter, oil & filter, fuel filter. And my first attempt at balancing the carbs. Which brings me on to my next point. I have the carb tune tube type ones and the tube attached to the no 4 carb didn't flutter like rest it went up and down when I adjusted it but just sat there when I left it. Any one no what this could b? Have a feeling there is a blocked jet on that carb, could cause this?(didn't take em off and clean em) :( lazy I know. Anaways. Feel a few numpty points would suit me here.
1st forgot to turn the fuel on at the tank when instated
2nd forgot to turn the fuell off when finished.
3rd took the bike out for a test ride ran terrible thought I had messed summet up. Came home looked down when putting the prop stand down, only to find...........a vacuum hose plug :S whoops fitted it went back out on it a lot better but still not right. Going to have to take the carbs off and clean em and balance em again, will spend a bit more time on em.

Littledel wrote:Well quick update for you all.
Done a fair bit on the bike. New plugs, air filter, oil & filter, fuel filter. And my first attempt at balancing the carbs. Which brings me on to my next point. I have the carb tune tube type ones and the tube attached to the no 4 carb didn't flutter like rest it went up and down when I adjusted it but just sat there when I left it. Any one no what this could b? Have a feeling there is a blocked jet on that carb, could cause this?(didn't take em off and clean em) :( lazy I know. Anaways. Feel a few numpty points would suit me here.
1st forgot to turn the fuel on at the tank when instated
2nd forgot to turn the fuell off when finished.
3rd took the bike out for a test ride ran terrible thought I had messed summet up. Came home looked down when putting the prop stand down, only to find...........a vacuum hose plug :S whoops fitted it went back out on it a lot better but still not right. Going to have to take the carbs off and clean em and balance em again, will spend a bit more time on em.

Nah, dont think a numpty point is needed there mate.
Good on you for trying to sort it yourself Nothing like a good bit of tinkering.
Not sure about the reading your getting on the carbs, didnt do mine myself so I cant comment.

Just remember, its a learning curve. We have all been there, hopefully someone can answer your carb question.

Sean.