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Bike Missing/Dying ~ not riding smooth :(

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by mslynda64, Sep 20, 2012.

  1. mslynda64

    mslynda64 New Member

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    I have a 02 Vulcan 500 that is having problems. My bike missing at all speeds. And yesterday it died on me. I let it sit for about 4 min and it started back up. Seems it might be electrical, coils??? I don't know. I've had the carbs cleaned, the intake boots replaced, the sparks plugs boots replaced, float bowls o-rings replaced, needle value and the mechanic says it might be the coil wires or the coils, they said they checked the coils with the ohmmeter and it read fine. I cant afford to pay them anymore money to figure it out. Can anyone suggest what it might be or what to do???? Help
    mslynda64, Sep 20, 2012
    #1
  3. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Have you double checked all you wires , just might be one has rub raw or is in the prosess of doing so & causes it to ground a little bit , or a loose connection in the wiring harness , someone else will chime in with more
    cowboy, Sep 20, 2012
    #2
  4. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    yep, check the wires and the plugs make sure the wires don't have
    areas rubbed through that might short them out, however when that
    happens usually you get rough running, misfire but it won't stall..

    If the bike is dying and won't start right back up it may be
    heat related to a sensor, ignition module, or some component
    that is getting super hot and the heat kills it... When it cools
    it comes back on.

    You can test it by taking a hair dryer or heat gun (not very close)
    to warm up parts while it's idling to see if it will duplicate the problem
    hotroadking, Sep 20, 2012
    #3
  5. mslynda64

    mslynda64 New Member

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    Ok I'm not sure what parts to use the hair dryer on.. ???
    mslynda64, Sep 20, 2012
    #4
  6. mslynda64

    mslynda64 New Member

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    When I get home I'm going to check the battery to make sure the connections are tight. And look for any out of place wiring.. but I'm learning all this and I'm sorry if I haven't a clue cause I really don't. But have to learn how to fix my own bike and I appreciate everyone helping me and being patience with me on it.. :)
    mslynda64, Sep 20, 2012
    #5
  7. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    No problum melynda thats why it's called bike talk , we all talk different bikes :rolleyes: lol just ask away & someone will chime in , Do you have a seavice manual for your bike? that can be one of the best tools in the box :D
    cowboy, Sep 20, 2012
    #6
  8. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Yes, definitely get hold of a service manual - it will have a troubleshooting secton in it.

    A lot can happen to a bike's electrical system in 10 years. LIke the boys say, you can check all visible wiring and see if any have a spot where the insulation has worn through from rubbing against bare metal. This often occurs at a sharp bend in a wire where it would rub against some metal.

    Your service manual will show you where all the sensors/modules are and you can try the heat testing. BTW, welcome to Bike Talk and . . . good luck!
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2012
    joshbob, Oct 7, 2012
    #7
  9. softtaildelux

    softtaildelux New Member

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    Quick question..... If I runu my bike without baffles in the mufflers, can it damage the bike? Ive asked several different people this same question and recieve different answers everytime I ask.
    softtaildelux, Oct 10, 2012
    #8
  10. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Damage? as in major damage, no,
    but it will need to be tuned, you will have to change the
    fuel jets and you should consider a good high flow
    air filter.

    Having said that not running baffles is wrong
    it will probably result in less power and just a loud
    bike, and right now communities are cracking down
    on loud pipes, you go blowing past people with
    what you think is cool, they hate, and they complain
    and then laws get passed and everyone suffers.

    You'd be better off to put a better sounding non
    stock slip on muffler, change the filter and adjust
    the fuel jets or EFI programming, it will run cooler, better
    and still sound good, and you won't upset
    all the non bike lovers..

    So we all get left alone...

    The F Word (Season 13, Episode 12) - Full Episode Player - South Park Studios
    hotroadking, Oct 10, 2012
    #9
  11. softtaildelux

    softtaildelux New Member

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    When I purchased the bike it did not have baffles, I have already changed them ( put stock road king mufflers on). I didnt like the loud obnoxious sound the bike had without baffles, and it backfired a lot. Im not happy with the Mufflers I have on there now either, but atleast I can hear myself think while riding, and the bike runs much smoother. I was just curious if any damaged had been done to the bike prior to me purchasing it.
    softtaildelux, Oct 10, 2012
    #10
  12. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Was anything else changed like air cleaner. Not sure if your bike has a carb on it or it is fuel injected. If it is EFI then it should have had a tuner installed if it has a free flowing air cleaner and pipes are changed to a better flowing pipe.
    FLHTbiker, Oct 10, 2012
    #11
  13. softtaildelux

    softtaildelux New Member

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    Its fuel injected.... Harley done a complete service job on it when I bout the bike. It runns MUCH better now that I have put the new mufflers on it. This is my first bike, and ive only had it for about three months, so I dont really know much about them.
    softtaildelux, Oct 10, 2012
    #12

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