Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > General Motorcycles only > Running probs

[Phil_Superlight]

Having some running probs with my 92 superlight if anyone could help it would be appreciated,

I went out this morning and got a few streets away and started losing power and let go of the throttle and it cut out after i pushed it back home i managed to get it started again and it ran fine until i was ready to go out on it again "typical" same happened again running very rough no power and cut out, it wont start unless i have the choke right on and my last attempt at starting it i blew the fuel pump fuse in the fuse box.

Yesterday i had removed the baffles out of the cans for a more ducati sound not sure if this has caused the prob as it ran fine yesterday and the prob has only occured today.

Regards Phil.

[rockhopper]

Blocked fuel filter perhaps or a collapsed pipe inside the tank.

[KeefyB]

Originally posted by rockhopper
Blocked fuel filter perhaps or a collapsed pipe inside the tank.

Yep,and/or a blocked fuel tank breather pipe.

[Phil_Superlight]

Cheers guys ive ordered a new fuel filter il see how it goes when it arrives and is fitted on

Phil.

[Phil_Superlight]

Well it seems the fuel filter wasnt my prob after i thought it was sorted just been for a short run and guess what half a mile up the road back firing and spluttering it dies again and doesnt re-start luckily i didnt look to much of a tit as i free wheeled most of the way back as i was on a hill.

Since removing the baffles out the cans i seem to get quite a bit of popping and light backfires ect out the cans on tickover not sure if these are connected with my prob though.

[raykay748R]

Cans may cause lean running and associated misfires, popping back etc but I doubt they are the cause of your main problem.
Did you check the tank breather??
Do you still need choke all time??
Are the carb bowls filled with fuel??
Does pump run-up and sound ok??
Things to check b4 moving on.

[ziggi]

Has the bike been stored for a while? Is there something that you might have done to the bike recently that could cause this?

* Check plugs first. Clean, correctly gap then refit. (make sure they are the right ones).
* Empty the tank of fuel and check the condition of the tank. Mine was full with sludge from being stored and the petrol going off. The petrol tanks are know for rusting inside out.
* Then it's carbs - strip, clean, check settings.

Would I do this myself? Nope cause I'm crap with mechanical things.

[Phil_Superlight]

Hi guys the breather seems fine, the pump seems to run ok with no probs, the tanks clean and rust free apart from a little bit as i checked it all when fitting the filter, carbs were stripped cleaned and balanced only a few thou miles ago by previous owner,

Things ive found are when i tried starting it the other day it wouldnt and blew a fuel pump fuse in the fuse box, and ive just took out the plugs and the side one has a very light grey/whiteish tip and the front one has a black sooty tip.

[Jools]

Seems one cylinder is running a bit lean and the other (black plug) a bit rich - ideally the plugs should be a light chocolate colour, so the carbs seem as if they need balancing. Might account for the rough running?

But someone who knows what they're talking about might be along in a minute

[AL900SL]

Daft thought, but is there anything loose in the air box and blocking the intake on one of the carbs.