Topic: Riding in the rain -waterlogged CB750K4

[andy750]

Hi all,
Quick technical question....I was riding yesterday on Rt2. (MA) in a very heavy thunderstorm - lightening everywhere, very heavy downpour and floodig all over the road - in some places it came up to my feet (on the pegs). As I was rididing up hills I notcied the bike (CB750K4) would lose power (or at least not gain) which remedied on the flat road. Then after riding through a particularly flooded section of road the bike died and couldnt be restarted -despite all electrics working. I ended up pushing the bike to the hotel which lucky for me happened to be across the road. I dried off and let the bike dry out (despite light rain) -it started on kickstart the next morning after 3 kicks.......

I have a stock CB750K4 complete with points. I have driven in heavy rain before on my other K4 with Dyna ignition. My question is this....was the water causing these symptons by getting below the spark plug caps or by getting into the points? Anyone have any experience of heavy water/rainfall affecting their bikes with stock setup?

Thanks for any input.
Cheers
Andy in Boston

P.S. I had a girl on the back at the time and it was her first time on a motorcycle!! Too bad it rained 

[SohcCBs]

Anything's possible, but more than likely, it was the points.  The gasket under the point cover has got to be perfect to keep moister out, and they rarely are.

[Einyodeler]

Hey Andy
Getting used to driving on the right side of the road again?
I`ve had this happen on flooded underpasses before even with good new points cover gaskets , there`s a weep hole under the points that lets out condensation and if you get in water that deep it`s the perfect place for water to run in.
Always make them pack a hairdryer

[TwoTired]

Anything's possible, but more than likely, it was the points.  The gasket under the point cover has got to be perfect to keep moister out, and they rarely are.

Agreed.  I got tired of the near usless cork gaskets and made one out of neoprene from the hardware store. It seals great and is reusable.  Been using the same one for 15 years and it still works!

[Dennis]

Hi all,
Quick technical question....I was riding yesterday on Rt2. (MA) .......... in very heavy downpour  the bike died........... I ended up pushing the bike to the hotel which lucky for me happened to be across the road.
 -it started on kickstart the next morning after 3 kicks.......

Thanks for any input.
Cheers
Andy in Boston

P.S. I had a girl on the back at the time and it was her first time on a motorcycle!! Too bad it rained

Let's see, you had a girl on the back, and got caught in the rain headed for a hotel ........
something like that happened to me one time many years ago ..............

Are you asking technical questions or ...........

Hey, I thought you were supposed to be a pretty smart guy!!   

[andy750]

Thanks guys this is what I was thinking as well. I was just wanting to see what the general opinion was and relay my experience. BTW the bike runs fine now and I drove to work this morning no problems.
Thanks for the inputs (and the photo was great and very clear!)
Cheers
Andy