Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!



Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Dec 2010
Synt's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Vienna, Austria
Posts: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dicky View Post
Dear All,

Very many thanks for taking the time and trouble to answer my queery. I've got loads to work with and will keep you posted.

Best wishes,

Dicky
Dicky,
As I´m experiencing the same issuesbeing stranded :-) - what was your result?
Kind regards from Puerto Madryn, Argentina,
Synt
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Kas,Antalya
Posts: 156
Quote:
Originally Posted by Synt View Post
Dicky,
As I´m experiencing the same issuesbeing stranded :-) - what was your result?
Kind regards from Puerto Madryn, Argentina,
Synt
The German mate whose bike it was had a load of new stuff shipped over from Germany including the Hall sensor, a CDI unit and goodness knows what else. A friend of his put it all back together and the bike worked. Unfortunately I have no idea which single part was at fault. Sorry about the reply to your pm but I had completely forgotten about the incident. I sincerely hope that other, wiser, heads will be along soon to help you out.


Cheers,

Dicky
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Dec 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Reading, England
Posts: 5
I have found the ICU to be very reliable, but I have had a failure with the insulation cracking on the old grey ignition coil. left me on the central reservation of the M25 at 1600 hrs Friday December evening. Oh Good.
Chile_bike is running a Ford Mondeo coil, the primary wired in series and the 2 secondries used to twin plug the beast, and it´s getting me fine to Ushuaia at the moment. The coil requires engineering to fit properly, if you jury-rig one of an old car - ENSURE THE COIL FRAME IS EARTHED....
If you are not twin plugged use just one primary and one secondry. Don´t run the coil without a load. I do know of a case with failed pickup coil, easily diagnosed with a meter, not so easily fixed. Don´t be frightened of electrics - it´s not wizardry.
sdk
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 May 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 29
I'm having a similar problem with my 94 gs pd. I can't get it to fire but it does have a spark. I'm wondering if the spark isn't strong enough.

Following the Clymer manual, I turned the key on and tested the voltage between the green wire and a ground and got 12(12.6) volts. The next step said to turn the key off, disconnect the black wire & connect a jumper from the wire to a ground and then turn the key on. The voltage should be within 1.5 volts of the original reading in the first step but I got a reading of .03 volts. If I turn the key off that jumps to 12 volts.

The way the troubleshooting directions are written once you get an unexpected result you should replace that component so I didn't test anything else to prevent a false positive.

Does this sound like a fault coil?

They're $260 from Max BMX (model 244 426) but I found one on EuroMotorElectrics.com for $165.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 May 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
How old is the petrol? Have you dropped the float bowls and checked there is no water?

Mine needs full choke on nice fresh petrol to start easily. A faulty coil usually causes rough running but doesn't affect starting.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 May 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon View Post
How old is the petrol? Have you dropped the float bowls and checked there is no water?

Mine needs full choke on nice fresh petrol to start easily. A faulty coil usually causes rough running but doesn't affect starting.
Gas has been replaced and it won't even fire with ether sprayed in the airbox and plugs are wet when immediately removed. I have clear fuel line and you can see fuel in the line. I dropped the bowls a couple times when this first started (I could get it started but not idle) and there was always fuel in them. Now it won't fire at all.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 May 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Don't fixate on teh igntion system.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drumboy View Post
I'm having a similar problem with my 94 gs pd. I can't get it to fire but it does have a spark. I'm wondering if the spark isn't strong enough.
Once you have spark I'd be checking

Fuel? Are the spark plugs wet after trying to start it? Too wet = flooding. Too dry = no choke or no fuel in the float bowel.

Compression? Are the valve clearances set correctly? If too tight then the bike will be very hard to start. In particular check the exhaust.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 May 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warin View Post
Once you have spark I'd be checking

Fuel? Are the spark plugs wet after trying to start it? Too wet = flooding. Too dry = no choke or no fuel in the float bowel.

Compression? Are the valve clearances set correctly? If too tight then the bike will be very hard to start. In particular check the exhaust.
I don't see how it could be fuel since I couldn't even get it to fire when I sprayed ether in the airbox and the plugs were wet immediately after.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 May 2014
Registered User
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 377
It will be the hall sensor, had the same problem with my R1150GS! Expensive but easy to fix.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
'97 TB3 electrical problem tackle Yamaha Tech 4 17 Mar 2010 20:08
bandit 400 gsf electrical problem bandit400 Suzuki Tech 0 3 Aug 2009 20:53
Electrical Problem !! big t Yamaha Tech 29 11 Apr 2008 05:39
yet another electrical problem magyver Yamaha Tech 15 2 Nov 2007 01:02
XR400 electrical problem colsan1 Honda Tech 2 14 Feb 2007 14:27

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:25.