my 98 shadow 1100 got stuck uncovered in a bad rain storm 2 days ago while i was away from home and last night i went to start it and it cranked but wouldnt turn over the bike is in great condition it normally starts right up every time first try i recently got it on a trade guy was an honest bike machanic unlike some machanics so the bike was well taken care of and i got it in great condition.....ive been told it sounds like water in my tank or carbs...can i drain my carbs without taking the bike all apart with a drain screw??? then drain my tank and put new gas??? i also have some sea foam i could add to the new tank of gas....this is my first bike so im new to riding anmd working on bikes ive taught myself alot though off youtube how to videos but nervous messing with carbs!!!!! someone please help
i just got a 1998 honda shadow 1100 american classic addition.
stackedright2023
21 - 39 of 39 Posts
You might look in the connector for the ICU also if you sprayed water in that direction.
QUOTE>
nothing was open for the rain to get in but i cleaned my pips after the rain and hosed the engine down really good i didnt want any hoses or anything to get messed up from the cleaneri didnt know it could be this sensative to water i would have never uncovered it or hosed it down them pipes could have stayed dirty im lost without being able to ride my bike
UNQUOTE
I`ve washed mine with a pressure washer, a hose liberally and had bucketfuls of soapy water poured over the entire Bike, It cranks right up afterward...
I DO NOT think yours is any different, it`s a HONDA,
Dennis
I Like Bikini Bike washes, too
nothing was open for the rain to get in but i cleaned my pips after the rain and hosed the engine down really good i didnt want any hoses or anything to get messed up from the cleaneri didnt know it could be this sensative to water i would have never uncovered it or hosed it down them pipes could have stayed dirty im lost without being able to ride my bike
UNQUOTE
I`ve washed mine with a pressure washer, a hose liberally and had bucketfuls of soapy water poured over the entire Bike, It cranks right up afterward...
I DO NOT think yours is any different, it`s a HONDA,
Dennis
I Like Bikini Bike washes, too
Well you stated in your original post that you bought it from "an honest bike mechanic" so maybe they were honest but no mechanic. So is there even a choke cable? There is no way this engine should start well without choke so it has been horribly detuned to start without choke. I would say to follow the cable down but if none then look here:
or better if you can contact the seller and ask what they did instead of choke lever and cable?
Hopefully the hole has been somehow capped but really not good.
Attachments
gdb is right, this is a serious issue, to not have a choke on a carbed engine. Either someone is misunderstanding something (e.g. you just can't find it), or the bike is has been screwed with in a bad way. I can't stress enough, that you need to get to the bottom of this.
I leave my shadow ace out in the rain all the time (don't have a garage atm). No problems. Water should not be finding it's way into your tank (you'd have to have a bad seal on the cap, and I can't imagine how terrible it would have to be to let enough water in to cause no-start). There's even less chance that it made its way into your carbs.
You say the engine cranks but doesn't turn over... those are actually the same thing. So I guess it's cranking but not firing up and running. You say cranking sounds the same as always, so I doubt it's the battery. Doesn't take much to start these old bikes with no ECUs; you'd hear the difference. Not going to hurt to try jumping it, so you could try it to rule that out, but on the assumption that the battery is not the culprit...
So, why doesn't your bike fire up? Fuel, spark, compression....
Compression - this won't be your problem.
Fuel - I'm incredibly leery of this whole no-choke situation. That right there should stop the bike from starting in most weather. What has the temperature been since you bought the bike (when it was starting fine), and what is the temperature now that it won't start? The cooler it gets, the more necessary choke would become. I suppose it's possible that you hit a tipping point.
Spark - a likely water-related issue would be that you got water somewhere it didn't belong, and shorted something out... check the ICU as mentioned, and check all your fuses. Make sure you didn't pop one.
In for answers and more info especially as to the lack of a choke/fuel enrichment lever (which is what I think Honda officially calls it.)
My 1996 Shadow 1100 C2 A.C.E. has the choke lever on the left handle bar and it absolutely does need it for starting.
In fact sometimes the vibration, once the bike has started, will cause that lever to move upward (away from you) too soon and I have to grab it and pull it back towards me to keep the bike idling.
My 1996 Shadow 1100 C2 A.C.E. has the choke lever on the left handle bar and it absolutely does need it for starting.
In fact sometimes the vibration, once the bike has started, will cause that lever to move upward (away from you) too soon and I have to grab it and pull it back towards me to keep the bike idling.
Very typical especially with the "single pin" version that tends to shake a little more at idle. I was able to tweak mine so that it returns to OFF very slowly and now is almost automatic.
Joined
·
4,006 Posts
To the OP, I hate to pile on but there is no way your bike would have water in the tank and definitely no way water got into your carbs from being left out in the rain. Bikes are constantly ridden in the rain (unless you live somewhere like I do where it seldom to never rains). As with @"Captain D" I've washed all my bikes with pressure sprayers more times than is proper to admit.
You're new to bikes so there's a really good bet you're doing something wrong. Don't worry. Most to all of us around here have too at one point or the other.
Check your bike out real good.
Engine cut-off?
Trying to start it in gear?
Check your start switch assembly real good. What's a possibility is water got in to your starter switch. If it did, clean it out and figure out why.
Be curious to hear what you find.
You're new to bikes so there's a really good bet you're doing something wrong. Don't worry. Most to all of us around here have too at one point or the other.
Check your bike out real good.
Engine cut-off?
Trying to start it in gear?
Check your start switch assembly real good. What's a possibility is water got in to your starter switch. If it did, clean it out and figure out why.
Be curious to hear what you find.
Joined
·
31 Posts
update my cdi ecu whatever its called was rigged on the side of my bike from previous owner and it was half way in a rubber sleeve and the whole black box was full of water...i took it apart let it dry out a whole day and it started again thanks for all the helpful insight everyone!!!
Water in the wrong place, That`s What it WAS...
Seal that sucker UP,
Dennis
Seal that sucker UP,
Dennis
Just a reminder to address the cause since you don't want to get stranded in the rain. (Plus the SE/choke)
Very glad you got it running well again... seal that puppy up!
"Turning over" and "Cranking" mean exactly the same thing, which is rotating the engine crankshaft under power from the starter motor.
Did you try removing the air filter and air conduits and spraying a little starter fluid directly into the carburetor(s)? If not, you should. The results of that simple test will show whether the problem is with ignition, or fueling. If it will not start and run briefly with starter fluid, perform a compression test.
Joined
·
31 Posts
bike fixed watewr filed the uci or whatever the black box is called guy i got the bike from had it zip tied to side of frame in half a protective rubber case top of the box exposed n it was full of water for 3 days luckily i dried it out and it started right up thanks to everyone.......i broke 2 bolts off in my engine where exaust hooks to engine one flush the other a quarter inch out still i drilled the flush one out my tap n dye set wouldnt re thread it so i drilled it out now i got a hole cant get a screw in what do i do...diff bike btw
Is there room behind the bigger hole to make a nut fit back there?
If it is a blind hole you can always Heli-Coil it for new threads.
If it is a blind hole you can always Heli-Coil it for new threads.
Joined
·
31 Posts
its in the engine block cant get behind it
Joined
·
31 Posts
its a street bike not my honda
Joined
·
3 Posts
Before going on and on taking everything apart do some simple tests first:
1. pull a plug or two to see if water is visible an the cathode.
2. As suggested pull your car around and attach jumper cables to bike battery increase juice to starter and ignition system.
3. Before messing with carbs, pull tank and drain thoroughly checking for water contamination.
4. Attach Tach or timing light to a plug wire to see if you’re getting fire!
5. AFTER you’ve done all the above simple checks and you‘ve proved water is getting into cylinders….THEN drain carbs and fuel system.
Peace ☮
Joined
·
3 Posts
Glad you got’er cranked! Now, get you a $5 plastic sheet or a bike cover. That bike isn’t designed like a boat.
Peace ✌🏼
21 - 39 of 39 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
