clasic newbie blunder or major malfunction?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
clasic newbie blunder or major malfunction?
OK, I'm new to VTR superhawks but I have been riding a few years. Here's the issue: Yesterday while out for a ride I noticed the oil level seemed low. Not wanting to ruin my new bike I bought some synthetic oil from 76 station, (PO has been using synth). I added oil until it registered in the little window on the crankcase. I rode the bike and there were no further issues. This morning I went to start the bike and it dies as soon as it's put in gear. The clutch fluid level is a little low but not enough to allow air in the system. I believe there is too much oil in the engine because I didn't read it when the bike was hot. Is this a newbie recruit thing or have I blundered and ruined my clutch?
the boss
SuperBike
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,182
From: largo,fl
when you check the oil,the bike has to be off and in the upright postion with both wheels on the ground,this will give you accurate reading.
make sure the oil you put in is not energy conserving oil.very important,the bike is a wet clutch,with the wrong oil,it will not have grip in the clutch.
make sure the oil you put in is not energy conserving oil.very important,the bike is a wet clutch,with the wrong oil,it will not have grip in the clutch.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
when you check the oil,the bike has to be off and in the upright postion with both wheels on the ground,this will give you accurate reading.
make sure the oil you put in is not energy conserving oil.very important,the bike is a wet clutch,with the wrong oil,it will not have grip in the clutch.
make sure the oil you put in is not energy conserving oil.very important,the bike is a wet clutch,with the wrong oil,it will not have grip in the clutch.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
+1, it has to be be said... check fluid with the bike level, not on the side stand.
Although, dying as you put it in gear could be something else. Does it lurch forward when it dies (seemingly mechanical), or just shut off (seemingly electrical)?
Although, dying as you put it in gear could be something else. Does it lurch forward when it dies (seemingly mechanical), or just shut off (seemingly electrical)?
the boss
SuperBike
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,182
From: largo,fl
im not to sure if bike will cut off if too much oil,but if when you put it in gear,and it just dies,that could be another problem.
could be your side stand switch or maybe the wires underneath the clutch lever came off.it be a good starting point.
could be your side stand switch or maybe the wires underneath the clutch lever came off.it be a good starting point.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
the bike dies in a way that leads me to believe that it's caused by not disengaging the clutch completely. Drop it into gear and it dies. I'll check the things suggested. It was fine when I parked it yesterday. I just love getting to know a new machine!!
the boss
SuperBike
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,182
From: largo,fl
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
This is strange. I went to check the wires at kick stand and clutch, nothing looks out of place, MC looks good, I checked fuses, nothing. I start the bike, put it in gear and it's fine. Not dieing. How weird is that? I believe the clutch needs to be bled, too. It goes into gear kind of hard by my reckoning. Is that normal? It goes into 1st but seems like it really drops into gear. No gentle clunk.
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
New used bike?,,, Unknown PO maintenance?
I would take it a step past just bleeding.
Take the time to remove the slave cylinder, pop the piston out and clean well... bet you find black or brown gunk in there.
Look at the piston seal, consider replacing.
Disassemble the clutch master cylinder, clean, bet you find black or brown gunk in there.
Look at the seals, consider a rebuild kit.
At least remove and clean both with fresh brake fluid (DOT 4, or 5.1), reinstall, and bleed at each banjo bolt, then the slave cylinder fitting.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Let me begin by saying I'm not a recruit but am new to the Honda, (been riding BMW, old BMW) for the last few years. I came up with Triumphs in the 70's. A KZ750 tried to kill me. I rode BMW's since. So, it's with great humility that I lay my gloves and helmet at the feet of the sweet mother of speed and say it was the side stand switch. Side stand deployed, no go, side stand retracted.....you get the picture. I'll quietly slink away now and not bother anyone for a while. 
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
Hahahah, ah yes! These Hondas designed in the 90's have a plethora of electrical safety equipment included from the factory! They also have a switch that doesn't let you start it in gear w/out the clutch lever engaged. And also they...have...
Oh wait. That's it. You were fooled by one of the two failsafes. At least you know it works!
I've completed the advanced class of draining the battery by trying to start it with the killswitch activated...
Oh wait. That's it. You were fooled by one of the two failsafes. At least you know it works!
I've completed the advanced class of draining the battery by trying to start it with the killswitch activated...
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Heck you figured it out... not like you took it to a shop and spent $400 to have them tell you how to use the side stand..
My wife is a 20 plus year large dealership Automotive service adviser ,, I cant tell you how many times she has had a pissed off abusive Corvette owner pay several hours of diag shop time .. to be informed the cause was ,,,,,,,,,,,,, they were out of gas.. Oh ya, and the 5 gal of gas, was another $125 or so.
Or the truck bed lights are broke, and wont go off...... Sir, push the switch on your dash that says, "Cargo Light"
or...... Im telling you could go on all day.. She often starts those conversations with.. Sir / ma'am,, have you read your owners manual?
My wife is a 20 plus year large dealership Automotive service adviser ,, I cant tell you how many times she has had a pissed off abusive Corvette owner pay several hours of diag shop time .. to be informed the cause was ,,,,,,,,,,,,, they were out of gas.. Oh ya, and the 5 gal of gas, was another $125 or so.
Or the truck bed lights are broke, and wont go off...... Sir, push the switch on your dash that says, "Cargo Light"
or...... Im telling you could go on all day.. She often starts those conversations with.. Sir / ma'am,, have you read your owners manual?
SportTouring
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 274
From: Hawaii
Aloha twist,
Some safety "failsafes" are good. After acquiring my new to me '87VFR700,
last year I made a "newbie" mistake. I have been riding for awhile now but was used to my old trusty Superhawk.
We were on a club ride for Toys for Tots and parked on the side of the road awaiting the rest of the bikes. When they came around the corner we immediately got in line and took off.
The bike to my left (a Harley-also a club member) flashes me and points to my lower left side. I look down wondering WT-?
My side stand was still down, NO failsafe on this VFR. Luckily for me we were still going straight. I am the only sportbike currently in our club. I think I turned the color of my S/H(Red)(embarressed). I gave him a thumbs up.
I have not since done it again. But it happens, especially with a new ride. Getting acquainted with your ride may be an ongoing thing.
Some safety "failsafes" are good. After acquiring my new to me '87VFR700,
last year I made a "newbie" mistake. I have been riding for awhile now but was used to my old trusty Superhawk.
We were on a club ride for Toys for Tots and parked on the side of the road awaiting the rest of the bikes. When they came around the corner we immediately got in line and took off.
The bike to my left (a Harley-also a club member) flashes me and points to my lower left side. I look down wondering WT-?
My side stand was still down, NO failsafe on this VFR. Luckily for me we were still going straight. I am the only sportbike currently in our club. I think I turned the color of my S/H(Red)(embarressed). I gave him a thumbs up.
I have not since done it again. But it happens, especially with a new ride. Getting acquainted with your ride may be an ongoing thing.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
I bought this VTR with 18750 miles, PO was meticulous about maintenance. He never rod the bike. He bought it new in 2002 and I bought it a few weeks ago. He was afraid to ride it. I got the manual and the tools. So, yes, I should have read the manual. I will say this, I put thousands of dollars and years of work into my Beemer to make it fast and handle well. I knew every bolt and nut on that bike. It was one of a kind. The VTR is all that and more. This is a really fun bike to ride, can't get that stupid grin off my face. And this bike is all stock, so I haven't even started mods yet.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Aloha twist,
Some safety "failsafes" are good. After acquiring my new to me '87VFR700,
last year I made a "newbie" mistake. I have been riding for awhile now but was used to my old trusty Superhawk.
We were on a club ride for Toys for Tots and parked on the side of the road awaiting the rest of the bikes. When they came around the corner we immediately got in line and took off.
The bike to my left (a Harley-also a club member) flashes me and points to my lower left side. I look down wondering WT-?
My side stand was still down, NO failsafe on this VFR. Luckily for me we were still going straight. I am the only sportbike currently in our club. I think I turned the color of my S/H(Red)(embarressed). I gave him a thumbs up.
I have not since done it again. But it happens, especially with a new ride. Getting acquainted with your ride may be an ongoing thing.
Some safety "failsafes" are good. After acquiring my new to me '87VFR700,
last year I made a "newbie" mistake. I have been riding for awhile now but was used to my old trusty Superhawk.
We were on a club ride for Toys for Tots and parked on the side of the road awaiting the rest of the bikes. When they came around the corner we immediately got in line and took off.
The bike to my left (a Harley-also a club member) flashes me and points to my lower left side. I look down wondering WT-?
My side stand was still down, NO failsafe on this VFR. Luckily for me we were still going straight. I am the only sportbike currently in our club. I think I turned the color of my S/H(Red)(embarressed). I gave him a thumbs up.
I have not since done it again. But it happens, especially with a new ride. Getting acquainted with your ride may be an ongoing thing.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
You don't have to apologize for making a newbie mistake. We've all been there - this is an excellent place to get to the basics of the problem. I have learned soooo much from the people here about my Superhawk. It's like living inside a Superhawk library. The Superhawk's brute power suggests that it's simple machine - not! But it's dated in a good way. Many things can be done to make the bike more user friendly. There's lots of reading in the knowledge base. It's all good and from a very knowledgeable group of riders. We have machinists, industrial and graphic designers, a lawyer from New Zealand, engineers from several fields, Army Officers, Marine Specialists, even a packaging engineer - some of these guys have run Superhawks since they were introduced in 1998.
Our Site Admin is a Nuclear Machinist Mate Senior Chief on the GHW Bush AC carrier. [edited for correctness by Admin] I spent 8 years in torpedo research and testing. Enough said.
You got a problem - bring it. These folks like to help and always will.
"That silly grin" - you got the fever. Ride safe.
Our Site Admin is a Nuclear Machinist Mate Senior Chief on the GHW Bush AC carrier. [edited for correctness by Admin
] I spent 8 years in torpedo research and testing. Enough said.You got a problem - bring it. These folks like to help and always will.
"That silly grin" - you got the fever. Ride safe.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 582
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
You don't have to apologize for making a newbie mistake. We've all been there - this is an excellent place to get to the basics of the problem. I have learned soooo much from the people here about my Superhawk. It's like living inside a Superhawk library. The Superhawk's brute power suggests that it's simple machine - not! But it's dated in a good way. Many things can be done to make the bike more user friendly. There's lots of reading in the knowledge base. It's all good and from a very knowledgeable group of riders. We have machinists, industrial and graphic designers, a lawyer from New Zealand, engineers from several fields, Army Officers, Marine Specialists, even a packaging engineer - some of these guys have run Superhawks since they were introduced in 1998.
Our Site Admin is a Nuclear Machinist Mate Senior Chief on the GHW Bush AC carrier. [edited for correctness by Admin]. I spent 8 years in torpedo research and testing. Enough said.
You got a problem - bring it. These folks like to help and always will.
"That silly grin" - you got the fever. Ride safe.
Our Site Admin is a Nuclear Machinist Mate Senior Chief on the GHW Bush AC carrier. [edited for correctness by Admin
]. I spent 8 years in torpedo research and testing. Enough said.You got a problem - bring it. These folks like to help and always will.
"That silly grin" - you got the fever. Ride safe.
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