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1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 12:32 pm
by dave the german
Well had the bike at John's yesterday to do a throttle body balance and it was running crap - it's never been the smoothest but having not ridden one before buying thought it was normal with that throttle. Anyway the bodies didn't seem too bad but it was impossible to hold the throttle at 1800 revs - the revs kept rising. Whipped plugs out and the right plug (main plug) showed really lean running. maybe a dodgy plug so eventually changed all 4 and no difference. Plugged GS911 in and it showed that there had been an injector fault code but wasn't present at the time. I've changed coil packs (only main ones as they are different on the BCR). Anyone else experienced anything similar? Possibly fuel pump or injector? We're going to swap bits over in the hope that we can find the source of the problem but in the meantime any help/thoughts/advice welcome
John if I've missed anything please feel free to add
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:17 pm
by ted
could it be old stale fuel? Is it possible there is am air leak somewhere making it run weak? I assume the plugs you used were new and not old ones from the back of the garage - the only issue ive ever had was a plug even though they were iridium and not that old - i swapped the lots and it was back to normal
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:33 pm
by Steptoe
Try resetting all adaptations using the GS911.
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 3:28 am
by dave the german
I think a reset was done with the 911 - Fortunately we can swap parts and go through a process of elimination. I did think about stale fuel but the fuelling has never been great so sort of discounted that
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:42 am
by Hay Ewe^
on the 1150 and 1100 there are two rubber plugs that go over small pipes that are used to connect vacuum gages or manometer.
of one of these is allowing outside air in it will cause lean running even though the moronic and TPS are working fine.
Other bleed air leaks will cause the same.
I know you have a 1200 but I dont have any knowlodge of those so just a suggestion
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:00 am
by slparry
My Boxercup ran rough when the throttle position sensor was out of adjustment Dave, perhaps it's the issue with your 12?
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:59 pm
by dave the german
Thanks Steve that was also mentioned - can you use the GS911 to reset everything if the throttle position sensor is changed?
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:06 pm
by slparry
dave the german wrote:Thanks Steve that was also mentioned - can you use the GS911 to reset everything if the throttle position sensor is changed?
yes
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:15 pm
by Stanley
I don't know if this helps... but..
I have done TBS on loads of R1200 bikes, however; my 1200S will NOT run properly if I park the steppers with the 911. It will just about tick-over, but as soon as I touch the throttle the revs race ever higher. If I disconnect the steppers the revs immediately race.
I've taken to balancing them at about 3,500 - 4,000 rpm without parking the steppers first. It runs perfectly

But you need to be quick with your adjustments and have a good fan on the engine!
As mentioned previously, re-set all adaptations with the 911. Or at least calibrate the steppers.
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 3:20 am
by dave the german
tickover is OK going through the revs it feels lumpier than it was. Where I don't have confidence is down shifting - when blipping the throttle I have to give it a big handful as sometimes it cuts out - clutch switch is working fine - it will start in gear. As the 911 revealed an injector fault going to swap these with injectors I know work OK and take it from there. All reset when 911 was plugged in
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:46 am
by slparry
dave the german wrote:tickover is OK going through the revs it feels lumpier than it was. Where I don't have confidence is down shifting - when blipping the throttle I have to give it a big handful as sometimes it cuts out - clutch switch is working fine - it will start in gear. As the 911 revealed an injector fault going to swap these with injectors I know work OK and take it from there. All reset when 911 was plugged in
did you try balancing the throttle bodies at 3000 rpm with the stepper motors disconnected?
http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index12 ... eId=264844
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:50 am
by dave the german
slparry wrote:dave the german wrote:tickover is OK going through the revs it feels lumpier than it was. Where I don't have confidence is down shifting - when blipping the throttle I have to give it a big handful as sometimes it cuts out - clutch switch is working fine - it will start in gear. As the 911 revealed an injector fault going to swap these with injectors I know work OK and take it from there. All reset when 911 was plugged in
did you try balancing the throttle bodies at 3000 rpm with the stepper motors disconnected?
http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index12 ... eId=264844
Don't think we did Steve - to be honest I hope it is "just" an injector and it solves the problem rather than going through a long process of elimination
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:59 pm
by nab 301
dave the german wrote: Whipped plugs out and the right plug (main plug) showed really lean running. maybe a dodgy plug so eventually changed all 4 and no difference.
I can't help on diagnosis but isn't the R/H side the one that randomly dropped valves on the early 1200's? Advice , get it sorted quick

before something like this happens (admittedly on a race bike)
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20764
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:20 am
by dave the german
nab 301 wrote:dave the german wrote: Whipped plugs out and the right plug (main plug) showed really lean running. maybe a dodgy plug so eventually changed all 4 and no difference.
I can't help on diagnosis but isn't the R/H side the one that randomly dropped valves on the early 1200's? Advice , get it sorted quick

before something like this happens (admittedly on a race bike)
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20764
Yep I remember that
Re: 1200s running like a bag of hammers
Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2017 5:25 pm
by dave the german
further update - had the bike to a local independent and it appears throttle bodies were massively out - running MUCH better but he did comment that it didn't like cold running but suggested given it a good couple of hundred mile run out. I know with new cars ECUs adjust themselves so I'm hoping this will solve it. Starting to feel that it might have been stale fuel. After a good ride out I'm going to fit the power commander and hopefully I should see smoother running. The good news is the independent went right through the bike and couldn't see anything untoward