What did you do last?

[mhershon]

Over the weekend, I changed the engine oil in my '14 V7, that's a single throttle body model jus' so you know, and washed the bike - gently, with a garden hose. I rode it today with my m/c club. During the ride, occasionally the engine would try to quit on first opening the throttle under load. It did it several times. The bike has 57,000 miles on it and has been boringly reliable, never a skipped beat. If I got water somewhere washing it, where would I look? Or what else would I check? It runs great at steady throttle and pulls like a (40hp) train. Starts and idles just like it always did. All suggestions gracefully accepted...

[Kev m]

Spark plug boots and crankshaft position sensor.

[mhershon]

Kev, as you may recall, this is Cam's old bike. It has NGK plug caps. I don't even know where the crank position sensor is... Under the alternator cover?

[Kev m]

Kev, as you may recall, this is Cam's old bike. It has NGK plug caps. I don't even know where the crank position sensor is... Under the alternator cover?

I do recall but poop happens over time or if manhandled.

Crank sensor I think is top front left of case (unless that's big blocks?).

[kingoffleece]

Saw that issue a few times while at Hamlin's on the early bikes like his.  And mine!
The plug boots can get "worn out".  Nothing is made like it used to be.  Try spraying WD 40 into all handlebar controls, too.

[mhershon]

I'll spray the plug caps and all the stuff on the bars. Thanks!

[Cam3512]

Maynard, it’s got the better plug boots.  I’ve always used cleaner spray/wax on my bikes.  Never a hose.  Now you decide to break my old bike? 

[kingoffleece]

Cam,
I have most likely the same replacement boots.  Changed them at Jim's after Gerry's bike crapped out the ECU when it got wet.  What a mess!
Anyway, you and I have seen stranger things than boot failure.  Maynard should at least check them.  Gotta start simple and go from there.

[mhershon]

Good to hear from you, Cam! Guys, I checked the battery bolts and they are tight. So are the ground straps. I sprayed the handlebar switches. I pulled the plastic covers and the plug caps, checked that the plugs were tight in the heads, and they were. I sprayed the nice NGK plug caps and reinstalled them carefully. I lifted the sweet saddle that Cam put on the bike and checked underneath. All is well there. I'll ride the bike tomorrow and report progress, if any appears. I feel bad about having a problem with Cam's old bike, but it has never been abused, not in my hands. As I mentioned in the original post asking for help, the bike has been remarkably reliable, barring the final drive leak, healed by Jim Hamlin's capable hands. Watch this space for an update...soon!

[kingoffleece]

May just turn out to be water got somewhere and eventually worked itself out.
Let us know............... ....

[Cam3512]

Just kidding with you buddy!  I know it’s in very capable hands.

[mhershon]

Rode my bike this morning, out Morrison Road past Red Rocks (yes, THAT Red Rocks) out to Evergreen, Colorado, and you wish you'd been on that ride with me on that road on a lovely 75-degree Rocky Mountain foothills morning. Whatever we did cured whatever was wrong, and the bike ran great! I have to conclude that as someone suggested, water got in someplace and either the WD-40 dried it out or it evaporated out and now the thing works fine. Thanks for your help, all of you! Cam, you know you can tease me all you want; after all, you sold me a great bike...

[Scott Carpenter]

The V7 community is a good one by the looks of it. Glad i've joined up. 

[Cam3512]

I’ve posted this before, but I’ll do it again.  Maynard bought my ‘14 special sight unseen.  He did get photos and my meticulous maintenance records.  He did a fly and ride from Denver to NJ to pick up the bike.  He shipped his riding gear to me in advance.  I mapped out the return trip the long way.  Skyline drive, BRP, Cherahola, etc.  over 2000 miles and about 5 days later he was home.  And all that in his late 70’s.  Mad respect.

[Huzo]

I would have suspected contaminants in the TGPS.
What did Guzzidiag say ?

[mhershon]

Huzo, I sprayed everything with WD-40 and the problem disappeared. I confess I am not sure what the acronym TGPS stands for or where that item is on my bike, but it is running great.