[MAdOrangeE30]

Hello, comrades!

Available '04 VT1100 Spirit 2004.
At relatively low rpm (2000-2400 rpm) the engine is very much kicking.
With that, please note that this is not a vibration, a kind of jerks.
This is evident both at low speeds and at high.

For example:

1) Downtown, sluggish traffic, 2nd gear, 1900-2500 rpm. With a large and sudden opening of the gas, the bike wiil* jerk a bit and jump forward. At the same small and smooth opening, the bike will accelerate slowly, strongly posing as a stool that dragged up the stairs.

2) The track, ~ 60 mph , 5th gear, 2200-2350 rpm. With a large and sudden opening of the gas, the bike begins to accelerate with tangible torque ripple, and at the same time I could clearly hear the pulsating "howling gear" (the sound of the hypoid pair, which alternately load and unload). Sometimes it also happens that the rear wheel starts to bounce (note the casual observer). At the same small and smooth opening, the bike will slowly accelerate with the same vibrations and sound. Often it happens that he does so without acceleration (for example, on long climbs).

Actually a subject:
Has anyone faced similar?
Is it normal, or is something goes wrong?
May it be because of tired rear shocks?

P.S. At the moment, have been cleaned and synchronized carburetors, checked the rear wheel balancing and condition of the rubber dampers, installed a new tire.

I would be grateful for any help.
If there are specific questions - I will answer.

 

[John Hopkins]

Water or some other contaminant in the gas tank, dirty in line fuel filter, water in the air filter, sticky throttle cable, not going for long runs?

John.

 

[Harryc]

How many miles on this bike? My guess is a slipping clutch along with rear shocks. Have you tried adjusting the pre-load up on the rear shocks? Adjusting the clutch? Also, with regard to the clutch, what engine oil are you using? You do not want oil with friction inhibitors in it or oil labeled extended life.

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

Water or some other contaminant in the gas tank, dirty in line fuel filter, water in the air filter, sticky throttle cable, not going for long runs?

John.

So, i'll go in order:

1) I think, now is no water in fuel system. And if it were there, it's now gone.

2) Fuel line is clean too. But I didn't saw the filter.

3) I replaced the air filter ~3500 miles ago.

4) I didn't check the throttle cable, but handle twisting is smooth and clear.

5) Since I bought this bike I already ran ~4000 miles and it works right the same like the first day.

 

[gat803]

You are lugging the engine. These bikes (Spirit 1100) are geared fairly tall....they don't pull well from low RPM.

Downshift and try it again, then report those results. The simple things, do first...
Do svidaniya.

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

How many miles on this bike? My guess is a slipping clutch along with rear shocks. Have you tried adjusting the pre-load up on the rear shocks? Adjusting the clutch? Also, with regard to the clutch, what engine oil are you using? You do not want oil with friction inhibitors in it or oil labeled extended life.

According to odometer there is ~21 000 miles.
Clutch is working good for me. The clutch cable is not too tensioned. I even have some freeplay on a clutch lever before cable goes tight, so clutch have to be in fully engaged position. And about the rear shocks, I tried all positions. It's all the same. Springs gets harder, but vibrations is still doesn't gone. I usually use Motul 5100 10W40 and i think, now is too early to use extended life oil. Don't you think so? And what oil do you use?

 

[Harryc]

I usually use Motul 5100 10W40 and i think, now is too early to use extended life oil. Don't you think so? And what oil do you use?

Well, Motul 5100 10W-40 is Motorcycle oil with a JASO MA rating so it should be fine for wet clutches. I don't have any experience with it. Personally I use Valvoline 4 Stroke Motorcycle oil, 10W-40. http://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-a...le-oil/365426_0_0/?cmpid=PS:3:1:17kpid=365426

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

You are lugging the engine. These bikes (Spirit 1100) are geared fairly tall....they don't pull well from low RPM.

Downshift and try it again, then report those results. The simple things, do first...
Do svidaniya.

Thanks for good advice!
I already tried this earlier (downshifting).
It all the same, except frequency of pulsations.
By the way, I thought ~2000 rpm is not too low for rather big V-Twin.
It seems to me, one cylinder "goes faster then another" if you know what I mean.

P.S. Special thanks for "Do svidaniya":wink:
Glad to see, that someone know something except Vodka, Balalaika & Matreshka!

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

Well, Motul 5100 10W-40 is Motorcycle oil with a JASO MA rating so it should be fine for wet clutches. I don't have any experience with it. Personally I use Valvoline 4 Stroke Motorcycle oil, 10W-40. http://www.autozone.com/motor-oil-a...le-oil/365426_0_0/?cmpid=PS:3:1:17kpid=365426

And I never ever heard about Valvoline
In Russia Motul is very popular oil.
I used the same in my VRX 400 Roadster and all was just fine.
Anyway, thanks for advice! I'll try to change make of oil and let's see.
But now is still winter in Moscow, so a can do this only in a few month.

 

[h13man]

You are lugging the engine. These bikes (Spirit 1100) are geared fairly tall....they don't pull well from low RPM.

Downshift and try it again, then report those results. The simple things, do first...
Do svidaniya.

Have previously owning the same ride, GAT is spot on. Another mod to this bike which helps with this senario is change out the rear tire to a 180/70-15. Its helps the gear box output ratio alot but the tire doesn't have that "monster look" as the 170/80-15 but makes the Spirit much more civilized.

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

Have previously owning the same ride, GAT is spot on. Another mod to this bike which helps with this senario is change out the rear tire to a 180/70-15. Its helps the gear box output ratio alot but the tire doesn't have that "monster look" as the 170/80-15 but makes the Spirit much more civilized.

So that pulsations are normal, and i should use 4th gear to drive 60 mph or change tire size.
You want to say this?

 

[gypsy]

Running erratically at all rpm's was a symptom I experienced with my 68 triumph many years ago. The triumph utilized a zenor diode which smoothed the ignition pulse. Also the rectifier was separate from the regulator. I'm not sure but maybe that also effected that old triumph. The rectifier and regulator are a joined unit on the Honda. Might be something to check out. I'm sure someone here can chime in and "rectify" this idea. I got that old triumph firing well but that was mid 70's.

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

Running erratically at all rpm's was a symptom I experienced with my 68 triumph many years ago. The triumph utilized a zenor diode which smoothed the ignition pulse. Also the rectifier was separate from the regulator. I'm not sure but maybe that also effected that old triumph. The rectifier and regulator are a joined unit on the Honda. Might be something to check out. I'm sure someone here can chime in and "rectify" this idea. I got that old triumph firing well but that was mid 70's.

I'm sorry, english is not my native language so I can't understand some terms.
Could you explain me how does zenor diode work?
I'll be really appreciate.

 

[John Hopkins]

I'm sorry, english is not my native language so I can't understand some terms.
Could you explain me how does zenor diode work?
I'll be really appreciate.

You don't have to worry about a zener diode, if there is one anywhere in your bike it is part of a hidden integrated circuit..

A simple explanation of a zener diode is a very basic voltage regulator.

John.

 

[gat803]

So that pulsations are normal, and i should use 4th gear to drive 60 mph or change tire size.
You want to say this?

While it is very difficult to diagnose such symptoms over the internet, I am going to say that what you experience is normal to your motorcycle.

There may be other issues at hand, but under the given information....ride on without concern....

 

[h13man]

So that pulsations are normal, and i should use 4th gear to drive 60 mph or change tire size.
You want to say this?

Why can't I say that? :lol:
Pretty much what I did until the tire size change. Couldn't use 5th comfortably until 65 mph. Spirits are that way due to the secondary gear is different from the Sabre and the Tourer otherwise they all share the same gear ratios and twin pin motor. BTW 80 mph. is the Spirits sweet spot as far as cruising but mpgs. drop to 38 mpg. It boils down to 2 cyls. driving a drive shaft. 6cyl. driving a shaft is so sweet. I can run 25mph. in 5th. gear and pullaway w/o doing the jerk but I don't hit the throttle hard until 35 mph. Its all in finesse applying the throttle.

 

[Eagle7840]

So that pulsations are normal, and i should use 4th gear to drive 60 mph or change tire size.

Those pulsations your refer to is called engine lugging. This because the engine doesn't have enough rpm's to produce torque at the drive wheel to overcome the weight of the bike and rider when more throttle is applied. In simplest terms: To correct this lugging you need to downshift to the next lower gear to regain the engine rpm to rear wheel torque ratio. This is normal and you will learn to use the optimal transmission gear for the speed you're driving at to prevent engine lugging as you get used to the bike or to downshift when needed.

 

[Collector]

As others have said it is really hard to diagnose a problem over the internet.

I have owned a VT1100 with a 5 speed box for the past 13 years. Mine was the 'in-between' model with the 'old'styling but a 5 speed transmission.

I also noticed 'lugging' at low rpm when I first got the bike but quickly came to realise that although it is a pretty long stroke vee twin motor it is also built to rev.

Bearing in mind the fact that I weigh about as much as a dried peanut I can get into top gear (5th) at just over 50mph and if I have a passenger that rises to 55-60mph.

And if I am just cruising around 50+ in top gear (5th) there isn't going to be anything spectacular happening if I crack the throttle; it isn't turning over fast enough to get decent acceleration and I have to drop to 4th.

In fact the lack of smooth acceleration from low speeds is one of my two complaints about the bike, the other being the pathetically under-powered front brake.

It would really, really help if you were able to get a video with sound on to the forum because then people could see and hear your problem.

In the meantime, best of luck with the bike buddy.

Collector

 

[MAdOrangeE30]

Thanks to everyone for replying.
So, there is lot of things to think and to do.
And special thanks to Collector for good idea.
Since it's still winter in Moscow, let's wait for April and see.
At the moment I think thread is closed.
I'll continue this of start a new thread in April.

P.S.
Lastly, a bit of Russian Metall.
I think you already heard this song, but not in russian.:wink:
Enjoy:
Ария - Пробил Час.

 

[RONW]

In April, then. Btw, the link doesn't work.