Wierd engine problem

[Winddancer]

Hi all..
My voyager xii just developed a weird problem..
As I was riding into work I came to a place where I usually need to get on the throttle to maintain speed up the hill, as I started to open the throttle it started to loose power and feel as if I ran out of gas, it also started popping and backfiring.. I eased back off the throttle a little and it went back to normal.. also the engine noise seemed a lot louder as this was going on..
but as I slowly made it up the hill, I was able to find a spot on the throttle where I could get power with bogging it down and starting the backfiring and popping, ect and made it into work.
After work, I checked plug wires to see if they were still on, but really not sure what else to check so I went to see I could just make it the 50 miles home.. it rode like a champ, just like my good ole baby should, quick throttle response and no signs of the earlier symptoms, at least until I was about 35 miles into my ride home, went to go around a slower car on the highway, gave a little throttle, hit the blinker and boom.. the problem returned.. loss of power, backfire, ect , had to ease back on throttle and baby it to get home..
once home I looked it over again.. still cant figure it out.. took it out,, and again.. nothing wrong..
over the next few days I tried to find a specific thing that would make it happen so I could then find the cause and reason.. no luck.. pit a can of seafoam in and took of a little ride to get in the carbs and let it sit for the night.. no chage, still happened.. I did have a strange thing happen though, seems as if each time it does it, it happens when I am using the blinker, but not every time I use the blinker... also if I keep it under 75, it doesn't happen (blinker or not).. once I ride at 75+ and use my blinker and get on throttle it happens, but not 100% of the time.. I have noticed the problem resets(for lack of better term) as soon as I turn off the bike, and I have had it reset itself , once while I was still riding home and it was again like nothing happened..
so I am a little lost..
I have a ride planned to Nova Scotia and the Cabot trail in 10 days and need to figure this out, because I really don't want to take the RSVenture... ( my newest toy)
Thanks in advance for any help..
Chuck.

[doug of so fla]

Kinda strange!! and I think you know about the wires from ignition to connector on left? ( if you have it ty-wraped to frame, cut ty-wrap and check inner wires) Wiggle the harness coming from the ignition going to the left in front of frame rail in front of faux tank to see if it makes a difference at idle or reving. If not check the big white connector on the left where this harness goes. You may have to remove left upper fairing to get to it . Also check battery condition and bottom of fuse block for corroision. Sounds like a short but could be fuel problem also. If you get further frustrated give Carl a call. He is a good unfrustrater!!! 731-413-8666 or e-mail voyagerparts@bellsouth.net, He is retired now so he may be out riding or fishing so if they are'nt biteing or it's raining he will get to you soon.. If you come up with anything let us know and we will try to help. intermittent makes you crazy!!!!

[DaveMac]

Check the little hose that is connected to the igniter. Mine came
Lose and acted like this.

[ekap1200]

Check the little hose that is connected to the igniter. Mine came
Lose and acted like this.

Also , drain the carbs and see the condition of the fuel.

[debron]

My XII started doing the same thing on Wednesday at the rally in Logan. 3,000 miles later I'm still on the road on the trip back home from the rally (will be home tomorrow!) Mine does what you described in any gear, at any speed when the rpm's are below 3000. If I open the throttle, it balks, stutters, pops, and backfires. With just a little throttle and the rpm's above 2500 I can accelerate and am generally OK at 3000 rpm's and above. I suspect vacuum leak as it's acting like it's not getting the vacuum advance with the open throttle. I will replace the vacuum lines when I get home. I will also check the hose at the igniter as suggested by DaveMac.

[cushman eagle]

Also,in addition to the above ,make sure the fuel flow to the engine is adequate,in other words,pump,tank vent, and filter are all doing their job as they should.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Guessing the vacuum line that hooks from carb to ignitor would be first thing to check then start checking loose wires. Middle two spark plug , etc.


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[suzib6sw]

Sounds like the Pilots are possibly sucking up sludge from the bowls..
Up to about 3000 rpm you are on the pilots.. Over that and you are on the mains..

Drain Carbs and run seafoam in with several tanks..
Also change your fuel filter..

It does seem a little co-incidental that it happens with the turn signal.. I'll take a squint at the Circuit diagram but Im pretty sure its fuel related..

Pete

[debron]

Turns out the problem with my bike was a broken spark plug cap. I took the bike to my mechanic to have the spark plugs replaced before the Reno rally and he found the broken cap. Replaced all four while he was in there. Bike rides like it did before, lots of power and smooth acceleration from as low as 1300 rpm in 5th.

[mountainman]

I would run a voltage check on alternator for output and if that's okay when hot then I would check alt wire and alt wire plugs ins. Then work backwards to fuse box. Sounds like low voltage after riding for a while. Low voltage under load will do crazy things to coil output. mike