Ok guys, I got a '92 F2 about 2 months ago, that hadn't been used very often by it's previous owner.

It's been perfect for me, but have had to change the Regulator, and fit a new choke cable. But twice since then, it has struggled to start, both on choke and without choke.

I have ordered all the parts to service the bike, any ideas, how common do these bikes flood in the cold?

 

I babysat a buddy's older carbed Yamaha FZ1 over the winter. I had tons of trouble starting it when the temps were about 55 and below and the bike had been sitting. He knew the battery was going, but it seemed fine on warmer days.

One day I threw a new batt in it and it never had any trouble firing up after that, cold or not. I tink it was a deal with not a hot enough spark to make starting easy.

If you've had RR problems, it's very possible the battery's been hurt and is limping along.

 

Interesting thought, and quite right too. Is there any other symptoms that would back up a poor battery, before I spend the cash?

 

If it's an intermittent thing, I'd hold off until you do some of the other maintenance. Might check/replace the plugs since they're realitively cheap. Might do mine this weekend actually.

(something I should have done before I put the airbox and fuel tank back on.)

 

My valves and Carbs are due too, got a CarbTuner on the way, and will right down any shim sizes I need to order. Hopefully should run much smoother, though I am surprised how smooth it still is after it's done 43k miles!

 

Some more info, went to use the bike today, and battery has gone flat over night. It looks like the new regulator may have died again already

 

Found a broken wire and burnt out connector block infront of the battery. Suprise, suprise it's the one with 3 yellow wires from Alternator to R/R. Just need to source new connectors now and hopefully it'll work!

 

good luck!

When I did the tear down on my bike, I found one of the coils wasn't bolted to anything - just was flopping around in the space under the airbox, but with all the electrical connections made, so the bike ran.

The 2 signal wires that come from the ICM had gotten chafed and exposed in a spot or 2 due to all the moving around. It hadn't caused problems yet, but I know it would have eventually.

Good thing you caught it now and not 80 miles from home one day.

 

The first time it flattened the battery I was with my brother at a Harley Davidson dealer.

It was very amusing for the local HOG to see me push starting a Japanese sports bike. And the Harley mechanic commented, "Well mate, you can't call a Harley unreliable now."

I think I let the side down lol.