Red Goy Pipes!!

[Stan Pinn]

I went out this morining to warm up the bike, started it up as normal with the choke, swithed on the heated grips and whent in to get my kit on. The bike was on the drive chugging away for about 5 or 6 minutes. When I went back out to the bike the front pipes were glowing red! The temperature gauge on the bike was still low and it all ran fine. Once i had turned the choke off the pipes cooled and all looked ok. Has anyone else had this or will it be a problem with my choke or fueling?
Cheers Stan

 

[Taff]

I'm sure I've seen a clip on Youtube of something very similar on a GS, except that it looked like they'd done it on purpose and had turned the lights off for maximum effect.

I'm sure someone better will confirm, but I'm pretty certain that they're not meant to be left to idle for long periods - as they are cooled by the cold air flow as you ride along.

I know 5 minutes isn't long, but it's obviously long enough as you've already found out.

 

[Stan Pinn]

I now know I left it too long on the choke, but any aircooled engine should be able to run all day without any problems. My concern is that my choke is over fueling the engine. It maybe that the higher revs alone caused the extra heat in which case thats fine.

 

[motobiker]

I've always been lead to believe that these bikes should never be allowed to idle - apart from whats necessary at service time. nb it's NOT an aircooled engine... its air/oil cooled.

"Choke" on my bike is redundant... I never use it - even at this time of year. Simply start the engine and ride off - immediately.

The "Choke" has absolutely no effect on the mixture... it is in effect a little throttle... just 'ups' the revs. nothing more nothing less.

 

[ianboydsnr]

they dont have a choke, its just a fast idle, the injection takes care of the fueling, the pipes glow because they are single skinned, nothing to worry about

 

[Stan Pinn]

I just noticed the title!

Should have read "Red Hot Pipes"

My next problem is, if i can't let the bike idle for 5 mins before I ride, the bike runs really ruff when first started. Its been serviced but its not had new plugs or leads this year. Its done 34.5k and is in excellent condition (apart from blue pipes now). Any ideas?

 

[Steptoe]

Any ideas?

Yes, i've a great idea = what model

 

[Timolgra]

Yes, i've a great idea = what model

This one?

 

[Stan Pinn]

Yes thats the one 1100 GS '99.

 

[Steptoe]

This one?

Been caught out before by assumption.
Never assume anything, especially with just a picture as a guide or what someone has on their profile, bikes change profiles sometimes don't .. especially bikes with Goy pipes

 

[Timolgra]

Been caught out before by assumption.
Never assume anything, especially with just a picture as a guide or what someone has on their profile, bikes change profiles sometimes don't .. especially bikes with Goy pipes

You're right there mate....hmmm, must say you're looking rather tasty these days

 

[MattW]

What I've noticed is that on my 1100 when I use fast idle at the start of a ride, gearchanges are like silk (to the point that I kept thinking I'd found false neutrals), but when it's off, they revert to Massey Fergurson (especially 2nd to 3rd)?

Why's that happen then?

Edit: It does idle a bit 'Harley Davidson' off 'choke' so I'm thinking TB balance might improve things - possibly the same for you Stan?

 

[DutchBryn]

Talking about 'models', am I the only one around here that wonders if / hopes Stepper's avatar model will turn t'ward her Christmas tree soon!?

DB.

 

[t'other dave]

Allthough I leave mine for 2 mins to warm up a bit BMW say NO, I heard of two cases on the RT? model (fairing ones) that the owners on hot days have left em warming up only to come back to melted plastics and fire one from the owner one from someone who knows someone who knows....

I've run mine on fast idle to heat engine up quick after washing just to burn off water and the headers glowed bright red very quick(was dark though).

 

[Stan Pinn]

I balanced the throttle bodies last night and the idle smoothed out a little.
It still ran like crap this morning, stalled twice as i didn't let it warm up for a few minutes.

 

[Tarka]

It still ran like crap this morning, stalled twice as i didn't let it warm up for a few minutes.

Unless your bike is a mile out regarding setup and tuning it sounds like you`re maybe not doing something right.

How are you going about startup from cold...say,overnight?

You should put the fast idle on,then start the engine.
The revs will likely rise quite a bit after firing up,so you should back the fast idle off a tad until a smooth tickover about say about 1500rpm max.
Then ride off still with fast idle on,and after only a few hundred yards the fast idle should be able to be shut off and all should be well.

 

[Stan Pinn]

Unless your bike is a mile out regarding setup and tuning it sounds like you`re maybe not doing something right.

How are you going about startup from cold...say,overnight?

You should put the fast idle on,then start the engine.
The revs will likely rise quite a bit after firing up,so you should back the fast idle off a tad until a smooth tickover about say about 1500rpm max.
Then ride off still with fast idle on,and after only a few hundred yards the fast idle should be able to be shut off and all should be well.

Ok thanks i will try that tomorrow.