My Motorcycle Dies After It Gets Hot?

Question

I'm a newbie. I just bought my 1st bike - '92 Suzuki Katana 750 - from a mechanic who was selling it for someone else.
I taught myself to ride. I watched a lot of videos, read a lot of books and manuals (the local MSF class was booked for months), found a big parking lot, hopped on and started going.

As I gain experience I've noticed a problem. After I've been riding for about 20 mins, the engine will stall whenever I come to a stop, and then will not start again until I sit for a few minutes to let it cool off (whether it's in neutral or 1st) If I don't have to stop, then the bike will continue running with no problems, but as soon as I come to a stop, the bike stalls and I can't start again (in neutral or 1st with clutch in and throttle fully open) but only after I've been riding and the bike gets hot.

Does the type of gas matter? The mechanic cleaned the carbs before I picked it up.
I'm not a mechanic but I'm mechanically inclined - anyone know of anything I could do to fix this?

I took the bike out again today to make sure the problem is still there - & it is!

When I start the bike and bring it out of the garage, I don't have any problems. Right now I try to ride at least 30 mins or so every day after work to build experience.
The problem came a little faster today. I got out and I was riding normally - stopping and starting from 1st gear with no problem. After about 10 - 15 mins the problem came back. When I stop (stop sign or light) the engine stalls - even with the clutch pulled all the way in. Also, its a little harder to put the bike in 1st gear when I'm having this problem. If I do a rolling stop, then engine will rev, but bog down when i drop the clutch
Whenever I have this problem and traffic is behind me, I want to open the throttle to quickly move out of the way to avoid being ran over, but today when i had the problem, I simply pulled to the side of the road, sweated for a while (102 degrees) and after about 5 mins, the bike started and ran again.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what that guy was talking about when he said to flip your heater on. I built my own bike from scratch and I sure don't remember installing a heater...

First of all, you should probably use premium gas. Motorcycles tend to have high compression ratios. A high compression ratio causes pressure detonation in your cylinders (knock). Higher octane gas eliminates knock. That is the only reason for high octane fuel. Don't believe people when they say it increases performance.

I wouldn't think your coil is the problem. Your voltage regulator should make sure everything is getting the right amount of electricity. If you regulator was broken you would probably have some melted wires (it happened to me). It's probably some kind of an electrical problem or a problem with your radiator or something. Just take it to a shop. This question is too vague to believe someone else's solution on the internet.

Answer 2

Why do you think the bike is hot? Do you mean after the bike WARMS up it stalls? Try this. Take a spark plug wrench with you (and some gloves) and when the bike stalls remove a plug re-attach it to the plug wire and lay it against the side of the engine. Now hit the starter button. If there is no spark you have a problem with your ignition. I'm thinking maybe the little black box.
Does the bike just stall or is there a snap crackle pop first or have you ever heard it before?
The other thing. Don't open the throttle all the way when trying to restart the bike after it stalls. You may be flooding it.
One more thing. Buy a shop manual for your bike and try to trouble shoot your problem. If you are mechanically inclined the shop manual will be invaluable to you. You have a good bike, very reliable. What ever your problem is it is minor. It may be a butt to find but you'll find it. Talk to other Katana owners (owners club on the net maybe?) and see if there is an inherent problem that many Katana's have.
I would be looking at the electrical end for this problem. Either in the ignition or maybe something as simple as a loose wire under the tank or rubbing the frame. Good Luck

Have you tried going back and talking to the mechanic guy who sold you the bike?

Answer 3

some motorcycles are extraordinary, whether the alternator is functioning, they desire a battery to run. Take the unique motorbike battery and function it charged and examined first. A battery shouldn't pass undesirable in a million 3 hundred and sixty 5 days. If it assessments undesirable, get a clean battery(under guarantee?). Now if a reliable battery won't carry a value as quickly as you place it decrease back interior the motorbike, then the charging equipment has a concern. The voltage regulator is an area of the laptop and if the the remainder of the motorbike purposes ok, that is in all probability a reliable sign. On an older motorbike i could say that is probable the alternator, yet no longer on a three hundred and sixty 5 days previous. go searching for a blown fuse, loose connections; the two the place they plug in, or are screwed down. make beneficial they are actually not tarnished and are tight. those are all issues that are common to ascertain, and are a lot greater probable to be your concern. If all else fails have a expert verify the alternator. desire this helps, and robust success searching. Charley

Answer 4

When coils are going bad, when they heat up, they stop working.
When they cool down, they magically start working again.
Practice getting to the spark plugs as fast as you can - like you were at a pit stop at a race.
Keep the necessary tools with you and a working spark plug.
When the bike cuts out, check for spark at each spark plug.
Remove a plug cap.
Insert the good plug.
Lay the plug's threads against a metal part of the engine and try to start the bike.
No spark - probably bad coil - get it checked out.
OR
Instead of getting to the spark plugs "pit stop fast", run the bike with the fuel tank raised (use an external fuel supply).

Answer 5

I'm not that experienced with bikes,but this sounds like it could be an electrical problem.Sometimes components work fine till they get hot and then not function properly.But the first thing I would do is make SURE the engine is not overheating.Also look for signs of water in the oil.This indicates a potentially bad problem.Good luck dude and ride safe!!!


Hahahahahahaha,,,,heater????!!!!!!!....

Answer 6

Don't listen to these jerks..they don't know the slighest bit about motorcycles.... this could be a fuel related problem... improper air fuel jetting can cause this...also you stated the guy you bought it from just rebuilt the carb.... get yourself a manual and adjust the jets accordingly...

Answer 7

hi newbie may be the head gasket is it using oil put a compression test on it i did have the same trouble it was the tank put a filter on the fuel pipe and and take the one off the inside of the tank see if it works

Answer 8

How fast were you riding? If you ride less then 50Mph your bike would be overheated in 30 minutes. Try go around 70~80 so your bike can cool down.

Answer 9

sounds like perhaps a faulty sensor and or thermostat.. this protects the engine however it sounds odd that it only does it when stopped .... have someone check (perhaps where you bought it ) to see if the idle adjustment needs turning up ... or the timing is off GOOD LUCK

Answer 10

A bad regulator/rectifier can show the symptoms you describe.