Author Topic: El problemo  (Read 6453 times)

Offline Cholla

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El problemo
« on: May 20, 2011, 02:01:13 PM »
I have a problem with two of my bikes.
The first is a 1990 Guzzi California III with the factory fairing (unobtanium).
The second is a 1987 Moto Guzzi 1000 SPII.  Both as rare as hen's teeth.
Anyhoo, no matter what I check, points, timing, coils, wires, carbs, you name it I've checked it, I can't get either one of them to run on more than two cylinders. The dealer looked at them, everyone I know has looked at them. No one can get either to run on more than 2 pots. I'm at my wit's end.
Any suggestions?
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Offline Leo

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2011, 02:40:20 PM »
They may be running on two jugs, but those italian ladies have big jugs, two is enough.  Have a glass of vino and a bowl of pasta, and go for a ride in the morning.  All will be better. 

PS: an SPII, I am jelous!
Yep, still riding the old one

In Indiana, missing Texas

Offline George R. Young

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2011, 02:51:15 PM »
So your bikes have three cylinders like this
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/08/11/moto-guzzi-arrow-w103-3-cylinder-v-triple/
and you can only get 2 to run at a time.

Interesting. Is it always the same 2?
65 CB160 (67-69), 69 350GTR (69-72), 72 R5, 73 RD350 (73-84), 82 XZ550 Vision (84-03), 01 Concours C10 (03-19), 89 EX250 (11-14), 00 SV650S (14-16), 03 SV650S (19-)

Offline Rick Hall

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2011, 03:12:09 PM »
Anyhoo, no matter what I check, points, timing, coils, wires, carbs, you name it I've checked it, I can't get either one of them to run on more than two cylinders. The dealer looked at them, everyone I know has looked at them. No one can get either to run on more than 2 pots. I'm at my wit's end.
Any suggestions?

Characteristic of the Guzzi lineup.

The modern day Moto-Guzzi is based, according to various internet reports (ref: rec.moto), on the Spagthorpe Jackal. Sir Julius Spagthorps crowning acheivement for a four cylinder inline V-twin. The third (and fourth) cylinders did not function in the normal way (intake, compression, power, exhaust), rather Sir Spagthorpe added them for their counter magnetic flux dampening abilities. Note that some users have upgraded these flux dampers to flux capacitors... much more reliable.

Anyway, two cylinders, deal with it.

Rick
Rick Hall     1994 ZG 1000 "Sam"      xCOG #1914 (CO)
  GfNi H.P.   DOD #2040   1kQSPT 14.16   IBA #3274
    The Kawasaki Concours page at: www.zggtr.org

Offline Cholla

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2011, 05:33:02 PM »
Ya mean it's supposed to run on only two? Maybe that splains why the GS1000 will only run on four! Man, the things ya learn on this site!
BTW-the SPII has the "killer" 16" front wheel, too!
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Offline JetJock

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2011, 07:59:20 PM »
Gotta be electrical. Coil, ignition, plug wires, etc. Gotta be, unless you have a sparrow building a nest in the intake tract of one of the jugs. I'm ass-suming you checked that all plugs are getting gas and fire.

Offline Cholla

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2011, 08:37:28 PM »
All coils are firing all plugs and all jugs are getting air and fuel. Still wn't run on more than two cylinders. Don't know what to do any more...
;-P
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Offline JetJock

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2011, 05:32:38 AM »
All coils are firing all plugs and all jugs are getting air and fuel. Still wn't run on more than two cylinders. Don't know what to do any more...
;-P

You check compression on all cylinders? If you've got fuel, air and spark then the only missing element is compression. Basic physics.

And how did you test spark? Are the non-firing cylinders getting wet plugs when you check? Is this starting on 4 and then later two drop out?

Not enough information from you to really figure this out.

Offline Cholla

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2011, 07:12:24 AM »
Compression checks fine on all cylinders. Still won't run on more than two. A friend's KLR had the same problem. Wouldn't run on more than one pot..
;-P
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Offline gPink

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2011, 07:14:29 AM »
Problems like this really separate the men from the boys.

Offline George R. Young

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2011, 08:06:22 AM »
There was a somewhat related posting once on rec.motorcycles. A fellow with a BMW air-cooled twin had a slight accident and then noticed that one of the cylinders was located a bit back from the other.

All kinds of advice followed on how to 'fix' it.
65 CB160 (67-69), 69 350GTR (69-72), 72 R5, 73 RD350 (73-84), 82 XZ550 Vision (84-03), 01 Concours C10 (03-19), 89 EX250 (11-14), 00 SV650S (14-16), 03 SV650S (19-)

Offline Cholla

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2011, 09:51:23 AM »
Ya know, my bikes have that problem, too!


This goes to show what a great bunch we have here. Willing, no, anxious to help a rider in need.
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Offline thundercloud

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2011, 10:40:20 AM »
Problem is  related to spark and or gas!! Open pet cock with hose off the carb,drain gas into a glass,look to see what color it is,take a big swallow. Is it good gas??? To properly check the spark take off the plug wire,insert your little finger and crank it over {or have your wife hit button,she will be happy to help}. After these tests you will likely not want to ride it anyway.

Offline JetJock

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #13 on: May 21, 2011, 01:32:23 PM »
I can tell you from personal experience that you can have every evidence of a good spark while you're testing things, but it won't deliver that spark when you've actually got the plugs in and are trying to start. What you're describing is a textbook case of ignition problems if you truly have confirmed that fuel/air/compression are present.

Then again, maybe you're just cursed. Tick off any witches lately?  ;D

Offline Cholla

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2011, 12:14:42 PM »
I cannot perform the cranking test suggested as I'm not married.
I can't get the Suzuki to run on more than four cylinders, either.
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Offline gPink

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Re: El problemo
« Reply #15 on: May 22, 2011, 05:41:45 PM »
How long are...Oh never mind.