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Author Topic: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.  (Read 1836 times)

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Offline murman1983

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Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« on: October 01, 2019, 09:08:54 AM »
Hey all,
So...I was riding my bike to school and it started pouring on me. I've ridding in rain before and nothing bad happened. However, this time, as I was arriving in to town, there is a dip in the highway where rain pools. The puddle could have been anywhere from 6 to 12 in deep, but I had to cross it. I went through it relatively swiftly, and as I was pulling in to my parking spot about half a mile after the puddle, the bike died and coasted into park. Now, when I turn the key, nothing happens. The neutral light doesn't come on, nothing. I'm assuming some electrical got wet, but I don't know if it was from the puddle or the rain. Does anyone know what could have happened, and how or how long it will take to get it started? I'm stuck at school, but I have too study all day anyways, so I'm not rushed for time. I'm sure I wont be able to start it today, but luckily its in a safe spot on campus.
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2019, 09:15:14 AM »
Check your main fuse.
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Offline jakec

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2019, 09:24:49 AM »
If you were in 12" of water on an sohc4 you probably got your points wet. The points are down low and only have a cork gasket. The screws that hold the cover on aren't that water tight either. That may have caused your main fuse to blow, which would explain why you have no lights.
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1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2019, 09:40:32 AM »
Ok I will check that out, I don't think it was 12in but it could have been I'm really not sure. Can you point me where to locate the fuse box. Ill go look at it this evening. BTW I'm on a 78 550k.
Thank ya'll very much too!
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2019, 09:40:41 AM »
Pull the points cover and spray wd40 on your points plate and points... wd of wd40 stands for water dryer or was it wire dryer...either way, it displaces moisture...
« Last Edit: October 02, 2019, 09:56:09 PM by RAF122S »
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Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2019, 09:53:40 AM »
Ok, will do, Ill get back to ya'll once I have done these things. Again thanks!
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Offline jakec

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2019, 10:41:59 AM »
I would use compressed air or a hair dryer on the points and then slide some fine sandpaper between the contacts. The blow them out again with air. check the connections from the points to the condensers. then replace the main fuse and see if you get lights again.

If you main fuse isn't blown that will be interesting.That could mean that your ignition (key) switch needs to be checked as well as your battery.
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1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline Bodi

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2019, 11:19:07 AM »
Wet points wouldn't kill all electrics. Confirm the bike's power is indeed off: does the headlight or horn work with key on?
I don't know what would have issues when wet and also be able to cut off all power.
- battery coincidentally died?
- battery cable(s) or bike power red wire (at the battery or solenoid)?
- key switch died?
- main fuse blown or fuseholder failed?
- some harness connector just gave up when wetted?
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Offline Gene

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2019, 11:27:41 AM »
My money's on the fuse. What kind of bike is it?
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Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2019, 11:40:38 AM »
ITs a 78 cb550 k, and Im going out to confirm the bike power is off now.
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Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2019, 11:47:34 AM »
Just confirmed, no horn, no headlights, no power.
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Offline Gene

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2019, 11:49:18 AM »
Fusebox is behind the left side cover. Check your 15A fuse.

It sucks because a 60 cent part can strand you.
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Offline jakec

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2019, 12:50:50 PM »
That's why you carry fuses with you ;)
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Offline Ace Blackwell

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2019, 12:58:49 PM »
Or aluminum foil  ;)
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Offline Gene

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2019, 01:02:56 PM »
Quote from: jakec on October 01, 2019, 12:50:50 PM
That's why you carry fuses with you ;)

yep. tho once I didn't  ;D
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Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #15 on: October 02, 2019, 09:30:53 AM »
Hey guys, i haven't diagnosed the problem yet but I'm going to go ahead and pick up some fuses. I know I could probably find it on the web if I had more time but I can't seem to find anything. What kind of fuses does a 1978 cb550k take?
Thanks
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Offline jakec

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #16 on: October 02, 2019, 09:37:27 AM »
5, 12, 15A buss fuses

mine is a 1974/75 and it takes the shorter type. Not sure about 1978.
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Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2019, 02:18:04 PM »
Ok so it takes 3 7amp fuses and 2 15 amp fuses. I was only able to get 10 amp and 15 amp fuses. So I replaced all fuses just to be sure. It has power, horn, lights now. But it won't start. It just makes the starter sound. Any ideas on what it could be now. It sounds like it's not getting gas, which it should be tho. Maybe it just sat for too long. Maybe I should keep firing on it? I'm just worried about draining the battery. I pulled the plug wires and they are dry.
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2019, 02:51:28 PM »
Got a timing light?  If so, then check for spark on your plug wires.  Ifthat tests OK, then you will need to pull your plugs to see if the plugs are wet with fuel. Need spark, fuel, air and compression to run...
Check your fuel tank to ensure you have fuel as it isn’t unheard of to have a coincidence of running out of fuel.
Kill switch is in run position...

People can mess with your bike when unattended, flipping kill switches on if you don’t normally use it to kill the motor...

Do not leave the higher amp fuses in place permanently...

David
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Offline Gene

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #19 on: October 02, 2019, 03:41:07 PM »
And - go ahead and kick that sucker. Don't need to use the starter button. Did the 78 have a kick starter?
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Offline jakec

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #20 on: October 02, 2019, 04:42:29 PM »
yes to the kickstarter
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Offline Gene

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #21 on: October 02, 2019, 06:17:13 PM »
THEN KICK IT! ;D
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Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #22 on: October 02, 2019, 07:43:56 PM »
Did you pul the points cover and clean and dry everything? Try some WD40.
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Offline murman1983

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #23 on: October 03, 2019, 11:41:44 AM »
Ok guys, sorry for the wait. So I went back out and finally got it started. This is going to ba hard to say.... I simply flooded it..... I'm so use to needing to use the choke , that I didn't realise it was flooded, I was also getting rained on so I was rushing. I pushed the choke in. Kick-started it right up. I also will take out the 10 A fuses as soon as I can get some 7 Ampers. Thanks everyone, I learn something very significant every time I get on here. Y'all have saved my ass so many times. Thanks again
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Offline Gene

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Re: Caught in rain storm, and bike died.
« Reply #24 on: October 03, 2019, 01:17:08 PM »
Glad you're moving again.
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