Some problems with my Dominator

[peerke]

Hi,

last weekend I bought a '91 Dominator. Everything works fine, except that the engine likes to stop in front of traffic lights etc. I hear a "klunk" or "pooff" from the exhaust and it stops. Also, sometimes when I'm just cruising I hear some pooffs from the exhaust (or I imagine them). It all sounds very similar to what I get when I run out of gas, spluttering and poofing a bit till I put it on reserve. So I figure it may be something with the gas supply to the engine?

What could be the problem and is it easy/cheap to fix?

[beddhist]

I don't think there is anything wrong that a normal engine tune wouldn't fix. The poof occurs when slowing down with the throttle closed? Idle mix too lean. Of course, it could be an air leak on the carb intake. If the tune-up doesn't bring results check for the air leak.

While you're at it consider giving it a full service.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[POB/London]

I agree with Beddhist. I would look for a cracked carb rubber first - you have the classic symptom. "Popping" and "poofing" under deceleration could also be caused by a leaking exhaust system - a weak point on the bike (if it has the original).

Other things to check would be to drain the tank completely and flush it out with clean fuel: if it is the steel one there may be particles in the bottom, stopping the fuel / blocking your main jet intermittently.

I would also change the oil and check the valve adjustment as a matter of course on a new bike too - no matter what the previous owner says, you don't know when it was last done.

Good choice though.

[peerke]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a full service!

Peter.

[Spud]

Had the same problem with my 92 Dommie.. turned out to be carb rubber coming undone.

[peerke]

Is the exhaust really worth replacing?
I don't want to spend money just to increase the amount of horse powers by a few percent. Does it really make the bike more comfortable or more reliable or whatever?
What would a (second hand) exhaust cost?

[POB/London]

Originally posted by peerke:
Is the exhaust really worth replacing?
I don't want to spend money just to increase the amount of horse powers by a few percent. Does it really make the bike more comfortable or more reliable or whatever?
What would a (second hand) exhaust cost?

Doesn't make the bike more comfortable (in fact, less so if the replacement's noisy). If yours in knackered a decent replacement will make the bike more efficient. Won;t increase reliability either, unless yours falls off in the middle of nowhere

It rots (or is probably already rotten) and gets holes in it.

This ruins your carburation and fuel economy. The dual pipes also make luggage a pain in the arse and weight a ton.

Your choice. If it's OK, I'd just leave it, as a replacement will be £200+ I should think.

[POB/London]

£180-£200 new. Much less 2nd hand.
Arrow are the most robust, IMHO.
Yoshi are the nicest though.

[Steve Pickford]

Go for a simple stainless system i.e. Predator (UK), not a performance pipe like a Yoshi or Arrow. Ditch those twin silencers & save a few kg as well.

Steve

[POB/London]

<font face="" size="2">...not a performance pipe like a Yoshi or Arrow...[/B]</font>

I would say the Arrow pipe for that bike is, without doubt, the best. It's not too loud and is indestructible.

Why not, anyway? An Arrow can (£180) will be less than a Predator system....

[This message has been edited by POB/London (edited 15 April 2004).]

[peerke]

Although I'm absolutely ignorant about these sort of things, to me they don't seem to be rusting away... or do they only do that on the inside or something? The pipes from the engine to the silencers look quite normal to me, like the pipes on other bikes I had. I still think 180 punds is too much actually...

But to change the subject slightly, today I decided to go riding on dirt, for the first time on this bike and for the second time in my life. First time was in Australia for two days off-roading around Cairns on a Suzuki 250cc. But, I don't remember that bike sliding as much as mine did this afternoon! My dommie now has a Michelin T66 front tire and a Kenda knobbly rear tire (from the previous owner, both new). Is it the bike, is it the tires, or is it me being a novice at dirt riding?

[POB/London]

It's a heavy bike! It will never handle like a 250cc motocrosser!

Anyway, I bet you enjoyed the sliding a bit