Pipes Glowing

[yellofello]

Okay

At the risk of sounding extremely thick I have a couple of questions.

Went out to start the bike as hasn't been run for a week now, but for some reason it just wouldnot catch. Plenty power in the battery, but it just wouldn't go, then on the last attempt it started, and ran fine.

Anyone got any ideas as to why this is?

Also, bike was standing still in garage, and after about five minutes running, I noticed the right hand down pipe (remus) glowing red. Okay I know it was not moving and therefore no air to cool but is this normal? The left hand one didn't get anywhere near as hot or glow, so thats why I'm wondering.

Any suggestions welcome.

Yello

 

[Kropotkin]

My guess is you've had the tank off, and one of the throttle cables has come unseated. Check they're both seated properly.

 

[Schtum]

Did it sound as if it was running evenly on two cylinders? Oh and you're not s'posed to leave it idling for long periods with the bike stationary. ISTR that there's a warning to that effect in the owner's handbook that says "Risk of Fire".

 

[yellofello]

I'm not having a good night with the PC am I.

Okay, I should not let the bikestand still....thanks.

Also, have not had the tank off.

Right, off to do the studying now. Might have more success.

 

[Engineer]

Okay

At the risk of sounding extremely thick I have a couple of questions.

Went out to start the bike as hasn't been run for a week now, but for some reason it just wouldnot catch. Plenty power in the battery, but it just wouldn't go, then on the last attempt it started, and ran fine.

Anyone got any ideas as to why this is?

Also, bike was standing still in garage, and after about five minutes running, I noticed the right hand down pipe (remus) glowing red. Okay I know it was not moving and therefore no air to cool but is this normal? The left hand one didn't get anywhere near as hot or glow, so thats why I'm wondering.

Any suggestions welcome.

Yello

I think that you will find that they all 'glow red in the dark' after a couple of minutes. Both should glow about the same amount, however I have noticed that my right hand one is a bit hotter than the left, maybe this has something to with it being shorter (or is it longer)? My bike has the standard exhaust fitted.

Because it is an air-cooled engine DO NOT let is run for more that a couple of minutes without a cooling flow of air, otherwise it is possible that you will over heat the engine - this is particularly true of the exhuast valves which could be damaged if not cooled sufficiently.

 

[verstichel]

I have the standard exhaust too. On mine, which has only KM 6k, the left exhaust (left when I sit on the bike) is blue on a longuer section than the right one. That would lead me to beleive that the left one gets hoter (??)

 

[retroman]

I recall a bloke on ADVRider who left his new GSA running, the plastic oil plug melted into the engine and completely ruined it .... DON'T DO IT, its that simple.

 

[finglonga]

I recall a bloke on ADVRider who left his new GSA running, the plastic oil plug melted into the engine and completely ruined it .... DON'T DO IT, its that simple.

Someone else over there also left the bike(1150GS) ticking over outside their garage after a going on a run and the heat from the CAT meleted the back tyre.

 

[GSmonkey]

You can leave the bike idling when it is already up to temperature - you shouldn't do it from cold as the engine will not heat up evenly which could lead to nasty problems. This is my understanding of the situation.

My past experience has also shown that if you've left the bike for a while, its best not to start it "to see if it will go" then switch off again. You only put more stress on the battery for when you actually want to start it to go somewhere, I've learnt this from bitter experience!!

Also the pipes do glow in the dark when at a stand still.

 

[yellofello]

Thanks so much for the replies guys.

Have got the message loud and clear re standing still with engine running.

Also comforting to know that some guys pipes do glow a bit unevenly. The right hand pipe is shorter.

Thanks again.

Cheers