05 ridgeback stalled/died while riding

[Bunkdog]

I was riding the ridgeback yesterday, and about 15 minutes into the ride through city streets at 45 mph in 5th gear when I opened the throttle about half way it stalled/died. I coasted to the side of the road and got it started again while stopped there, but some white smoke came out of the carburetor. It seemed to be running fine on the way back home, then the same thing happened and now the bike won't start, it kicked over once but then backfired and died, with a little bit of white smoke coming from the carburetor. Bike seemed to be running fine up to this point. It has about 3900 miles on it, the stock 117 motor, with the S&S super G carburetor, stock air cleaner with a K&N filter, and Drag Specialties slash cut pipes(no baffles). I think the carburetor was set up correctly and it wasn't running rich, the fuel was fresh, but any ideas of where to start to troubleshoot the problem now that it won't start? Thanks for the help.

 

[awg]

Sounds like it is a backfire through the carb? My 08 ridgeback died while I was cruising down the road. After checking everything mine ended up being the EHC going bad.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

I was riding the ridgeback yesterday, and about 15 minutes into the ride through city streets at 45 mph in 5th gear when I opened the throttle about half way it stalled/died. I coasted to the side of the road and got it started again while stopped there, but some white smoke came out of the carburetor. It seemed to be running fine on the way back home, then the same thing happened and now the bike won't start, it kicked over once but then backfired and died, with a little bit of white smoke coming from the carburetor. Bike seemed to be running fine up to this point. It has about 3900 miles on it, the stock 117 motor, with the S&S super G carburetor, stock air cleaner with a K&N filter, and Drag Specialties slash cut pipes(no baffles). I think the carburetor was set up correctly and it wasn't running rich, the fuel was fresh, but any ideas of where to start to troubleshoot the problem now that it won't start? Thanks for the help.

First and foremost check your battery connections. Remove, clean and re-tighten any wires connected to it. The battery should read 12.8 vdc. and 13.6 to14.5 while running. Make sure it is fully charged and it can't hurt to have it load tested. A bad battery or connection can cause ignition failures like your describing. Keep in mind if your charging system went south and the battery was not being charged you would also get your symptom as the battery wore down. Check / reset your circuit breaker.
When your certain the battery is not your issue start troubleshooting the ignition system. Ignition switch, Ignition module, Coil , plugs, plug wires and crank sensor are common causes for failure. It can be tricky because some components only fail when they get hot. The crank sensor and coil love to be heat sensitive.
These files may come in handy. https://www.dropbox.com/s/awp20t55uywsqcu/08diagflowcht.pdf?dl=0

Dropbox - Error - Simplify your life

www.dropbox.com

 

[Rottweiler]

Cruising though town in 5th could load up the bike? It happens. Usually just getting out of town and going full throttle clears it out. Now bike not starting? Change plugs first. Check spark on both while you have them out. Sounds like it could be inition?

 

[Bunkdog]

Thanks for the all the info, I'll start with these and let you know if any of them fix it.

 

[nvcollins]

Sounds familiar. Mine did the same as you described. To date I have replaced the battery, had the ehc tested by Curtis at WSWorx. I am currently replacing the stock stator, rotor, voltage regulator with the compufire system. I am also replacing the ehc. I am going to check for any wiring problems that could trigger a misfire with the ignition module. When Curtis tested my ehc, he found a ridiculous number of ignition misfires.

Sent from my SM-A426U using Tapatalk

 

[Bunkdog]

I pulled the spark plugs and they had some carbon buildup, so I replaced them. Also pulled the carb off and there was some buildup in there, so I thoroughly cleaned everything in the carb, and replaced all the hoses. It started right up, took it for a ride and it feels like it is running fine, adjusted the idle and fuel mixture just to be sure it wasn't running lean or rich. Seems to be good for now, time will tell. Thanks again guys for the suggestions to start troubleshooting.

 

[Coolbreezin]

Thanks for the all the info, I'll start with these and let you know if any of them fix it.

Not wanting to be the bearer of bad news. But after replacing EVERYTHING Big Dog minus the bars, I no longer live up to my roadname...Brokedown. Last fix I did was to have the whole wiring replaced, end to end . Now with no ehc, I have absolutely no issues at all. I had Chopper City do it a few years ago. Remove the brain and go old school technology.

 

[bdm7250]

Buddy just had similar issue with his K9, I took him over my spare coil and new set of plugs to see if it made a difference. Solved his issue, but now I need to get another coil for the spares shelf..

 

[Sk8nLowDog]

I pulled the spark plugs and they had some carbon buildup, so I replaced them. Also pulled the carb off and there was some buildup in there, so I thoroughly cleaned everything in the carb, and replaced all the hoses. It started right up, took it for a ride and it feels like it is running fine, adjusted the idle and fuel mixture just to be sure it wasn't running lean or rich. Seems to be good for now, time will tell. Thanks again guys for the suggestions to start troubleshooting.

My 04 Ridgeback started backfiring also but I was in third gear going 25mph. It seems to only backfire when increasing the throttle/ activating the accelerator pump. It will idle just fine. I have replaced the plugs and just finished cleaning the carburetor. Unfortunately the bike is still doing the same thing. Did your bike backfire after changing the plugs and cleaning the carb before adjusting the idle and fuel mixture?
Thank you for sharing

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

why were you trying to do 25 in 3rd gear, that's likely lugging the engine.

 

[knothead]

My 04 Ridgeback started backfiring also but I was in third gear going 25mph. It seems to only backfire when increasing the throttle/ activating the accelerator pump. It will idle just fine. I have replaced the plugs and just finished cleaning the carburetor. Unfortunately the bike is still doing the same thing. Did your bike backfire after changing the plugs and cleaning the carb before adjusting the idle and fuel mixture?
Thank you for sharing

You could have a weak or cracked coil...or possible carb not set right

 

[HMAN]

My 04 Ridgeback started backfiring also but I was in third gear going 25mph. It seems to only backfire when increasing the throttle/ activating the accelerator pump. It will idle just fine. I have replaced the plugs and just finished cleaning the carburetor. Unfortunately the bike is still doing the same thing. Did your bike backfire after changing the plugs and cleaning the carb before adjusting the idle and fuel mixture?
Thank you for sharing

When you went thru the carb, did you by chance change out the two rubber caps on top? They dry rot and suck air @ throttle roll. Jm .02

 

[Sven]

Short [pun] of knowing the shortcomings [pun again] of all the bugs in this box, now morphs into a brick, I'd keep running it. Say it is beginning to go south as in posts #2 & #6: Then till its dying day Triple A. I too thought of post #4 as it popped in the head and goes like this...

Let's play the Cant/Can Be's.
Can't Be:
Compression
Fuel
Spark
EHC
Vapor lock.

Can Be:
Wrist
Gears
The beers.

 

[Sk8nLowDog]

why were you trying to do 25 in 3rd gear, that's likely lugging the engine.

I was coming into town from the highway and was downshifting, the engine wasn't lugging soo it most likely was first or second. Thanks for keeping me accurate JBM.

 

[Sk8nLowDog]

When you went thru the carb, did you by chance change out the two rubber caps on top? They dry rot and suck air @ throttle roll. Jm .02

HMan, I only removed the bottom half of the carb and took it apart from the accelerator pump, and cleaned it. I did not replace any parts. Nothing appeared to be dry rotted. Are you reffering tothe #28 o-rings in the Super-G Carb diagram shown below?

Thank you for responding with your thoughts, it is much appreciated.

 

[HMAN]

HMan, I only removed the bottom half of the carb and took it apart from the accelerator pump, and cleaned it. I did not replace any parts. Nothing appeared to be dry rotted. Are you reffering tothe #28 o-rings in the Super-G Carb diagram shown below?

Thank you for responding with your thoughts, it is much appreciated.

View attachment 92250

Number 57 is what I am refering to. There are 2 of them. The exploded view only shows one. Small black rubber vacuum caps.

 

[Mickmorris]

Those are very important to have in the accelerator pump along with the 2 ball bearings. (#28 & #27). Also #44 if you did the carb rebuild yourself.

 

[Mikeinjersey]

My 04 Ridgeback started backfiring also but I was in third gear going 25mph. It seems to only backfire when increasing the throttle/ activating the accelerator pump. It will idle just fine. I have replaced the plugs and just finished cleaning the carburetor. Unfortunately the bike is still doing the same thing. Did your bike backfire after changing the plugs and cleaning the carb before adjusting the idle and fuel mixture?
Thank you for sharing

I would not discount anything. Your symptom could be caused by electrical or mechanical issues. Check out and clean the carburetor again inside, even if you did it before, making sure the jets pristine. A small clog can give you big headaches. Readjust it from the start and see if it helps.
As suggested, weak electrical components and/or connections can cause the same issues of backfiring and effecting the ability to take throttle. Make sure your battery is good 12.8 volts and connections are clean and tight. Good time to have it load tested as well. Since your bike will start and idle check that it is charging min 13.6 to max 14.5 vdc. .

 

[Sk8nLowDog]

Those are very important to have in the accelerator pump along with the 2 ball bearings. (#28 & #27). Also #44 if you did the carb rebuild yourself.

Thanks for the pointers and I plan on doing such.