[eric500]

Hi, I purchased a Ninja 500r about a month and a half ago, and it had 7.7k miles on it when I bought it. It had run fine for several weeks, but at one point I switched gas stations and bought some gas at a Chevron. 30 minutes later, the bike died on me. After finally successfully restarting it, the RPMs would frequently drop (don't know the technical term) even with consistent throttle pressure, eventually killing the engine. And it started backfiring. It eventually died again, and I barely got it back to my apartment.

Well, that ocurred the night before I was to leave on an airplane flight, so I had to just leave it at my apartment outside (covered, of course). 2 weeks later, I return and buy something called 'Iso-heet' which is supposed to remove water from the gas. I pour in a bottle of that in the gas tank, and it apparently works.

Now, a week later everything is going fine, but after a fill-up of premium gas I notice my RPMs all of a sudden start to drop and the engine almost dies, my motorcycle backfires but then...it's back to normal again.

Any ideas? Should I see a mechanic? Also, does anyone know of a good motorcycle shop in the Bay area (preferably on the East Bay)?

Thanks!

 

[2WheelFun]

Sounds like bad gas and possibly water in the tank. Might try using SeaFoam (found at Napa auto parts) in a new tank of gas....but before you fill up.....try emptying the fuel out of the carbs and tank and then add the new fuel....from a station that you can rely on for quality fuel.

Bay area...where?

 

[Knightrider]

Backfiring

You picked up bad gas. Alchohol additive will help somewhat but wont dissolve all of the water at once, it also reduces the octane rating a lot. Putting in fresh hightest gas probably stired up the water in the tank and made it get taken into the carb again. Remove the tank and drain it. wash it out with fuel line alchohol and put in fresh, CLEAN fuel. Your problem should be solved. Be careful, fuel is flammable and drop lights are matches when they break.

 

[eric500]

Thanks for the help! But why would there still be a water problem? This would be my second tank of gas since adding the additive. Does water get stuck in the carbs? Also, Is removing the carbs and draining it an easy process or difficult?

whistle clean: I'm living in Oakland right now..

 

[2WheelFun]

Since water is heavier than gas....it goes to the bottom of the carb bowls and when your giving throttle...asking for more fuel it can then be added to the mix and cause mis-fire.

I use to live in Walnut Creek back in the 60's.