Strange "Engine Burst" (???)

[rexolio]

Hi Guys,

This has happened to me twice now, and I'm not really sure how to explain (I'm not the most mechanically-inclined guy in the world.)

When traveling around 40 or 45 MPG, the bike suddenly revs much higher, as if you hit the gas - the bike speeds up just a bit, then the engine comes back down and everything is fine.

It only does this for like a second - don't know how else to explain.

May be nothing, but thought I'd throw it out there.

[Sarris]

Sounds like you may need to run some carb cleaner (Seafoam is good) through a tank of gas or two. That's all I can figure.

:)

[jonathan180iq]

What kind of oil do you have in the bike?

[Water Warrior 2]

What kind of oil do you have in the bike?

Great minds think alike. That was my first thought too. If the bike only speeds up a bit but the engine revs higher than to be expected at that given speed I would suspect clutch slippage. Have you recently changed oil ?? Maybe you have energy conserving oil in the bike, not a good thing for clutches. If no oil change recently maybe it is finally breaking down ?? Also is the clutch adjusted properly ?? Could be a combo of both which is an easy fix.

[rexolio]

Thanks, everyone.

No oil change yet. Bike is just over 4000 miles (I bought it at 3200 miles.) I haven't changed the oil, and I _ASSumed_ that the bike shop I purchased it from had done it. I'm going to do it this week now, just in case!

Not sure about the clutch - is there any other signs that might indicate the clutch needs adjusting?

[Easy Rider]

Great minds think alike. That was my first thought too.

More like: It takes a community to maintain a motorcycle!! :)

His description sounds like a classic case of clutch slippage........unless he is hitting some substantial bumps while the engine is pulling pretty hard. My Eliminator used to get tire hop all the time; the GZ has yet to do it on me.
I wouldn't have thought of the oil thing right away.

[jonathan180iq]

In your case, and just to be safe, use motorcycle specific oil.
Also, this might be a good time to lube your throttle cable and adjust the play in your clutch lever, just for good measure.
If you're still having a problem after all of that, we'll have to look more internally.

Unless you constantly burn your clutch while taking off from a stop, it shouldn't be worn out at only 4000 miles.

[rexolio]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to check the posts here on oil changes - may try to do it myself (if I can do my car I can do my bike, right!!!???)

Someone adjusted my clutch lever a few weeks ago - had too much play in it. Seems good now. We didn't lube it though, so I'll check into that. My uncle, who adjusted it, recommended Lucas.

Regarding burning the clutch, I typically do ease off of it to minimize a jolt at take off, but I _think_ that's okay. There have been a few times when I didn't let off of it quick enough - sort of eased into it too much. I would hope that only doing that a few times wouldn't have screwed up my clutch at this point. However, I can't speak to the person who owned it before me - it was a repo, so I never spoke to him.

[Easy Rider]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to check the posts here on oil changes - may try to do it myself (if I can do my car I can do my bike, right!!!???)

Someone adjusted my clutch lever a few weeks ago - had too much play in it. Seems good now.

Yes, you should certainly be able to do it. Just 2 things to watch out for:
1) Be sure to get the right bolt to drain the oil. It is on the BOTTOM and is the biggest one down there.
2) Removing the filter, in my experience, always ends up with oil running down the side. Have rags ready.

Let's hope that it's an oil problem OR the cable is adjusted too tight 'cause the other options could be expensive.
Have another look at the lever slack. Even if it is too tight (ie. no slack) it may appear to be OK because of the loose mounting/pivot point.

[rexolio]

Thanks for the tips, Easy! I'll check the slack and give it a go (carefully) on the oil change!