Low speed t-bone collision knocks something out of alignment

Hi guys.

I could use some help. Last weekend my brother t-boned me at a low speed and knocked my bike over. (It was probably my fault, we had a miscommunication, we're both alright.) However, now it has a hard starting issue. It still runs, and I had to ride it 300 miles back home, but it needs starter fluid and maybe a jump to get it going. Not even a week before I had it running perfect after months of carb struggles. OK.

So here's what happened. Basically we were going to turn around and check out a scenic lookout, and he hit me just in front of the footpeg going about 15mph as I was maneuvering around. Bent the front forks on his bike, snapped his clutch handle on the way down, and before I knew it, both bikes were on their sides leaking gas into the road. The YICS logo cover on my left side is chipped through, and now it wont start without help. It starts up if its hot, but with more effort than before. A friend of mine said something about "points" being out of alignment, but I'm unfamiliar.

If you guys could offer any insight I'd really appreciate it. Had just gotten it so it would start up no problem on a cold morning. Thanks

 

Re: Low speed t-bone collision knocks something out of align

The bike has a transistorized type breakerless electronic ignition. No points or adjustment. But I suppose it could have effected the timing. Check your service manual on checking the timing. Another possibility, when it got tipped over hard it unsettled debris from the bottom of the fuel tank which ended up in the carbs and effecting the enrichment circuit. Did you clean the fuel tank when you cleaned the carburetors?

 

The ignition pickups are under the LH crankcase cover, as is the trigger "wheel." Since that's the side that got damaged, I'd start with a nice careful inspection under that cover.

 

Re: Low speed t-bone collision knocks something out of align

I agree with taking a look under there...

Another unfortunate option is stirring up a bunch of crap in the gas tank. Only unfortunate if you're not using a fuel filter.

Take a look at the manual. On the 650's there isn't a whole lot you can do to mis-align anything under that cover, and never take off that pointer. My pickups had been cracked for a year before I replaced them by the P.O. and it still ran fine.

Look and see if anything is horribly wrong- it should be really obvious.

I recommend changing the oil/filter as there is probably some gas in it.

 

All good tips guys, thanks. When I remove the cover, what would I be looking for to be out of alignment? The nasty little voice inside my head is telling me I tipped the bike over with some force and now the carbs need cleaning and re-synching and a new battery for the hell of it.

As for the gas tank, I didn't clean it out when I cleaned the carbs, but it has an inline fuel filter. The tank itself didn't take a hit (no dents), the handlebars bent all to shit and absorbed the blow. Whats worst case scenario here? It still runs so I can't have totaled it. Right?

 

This is what it looks like under that cover......however this is from a 1982 XJ750J Maxim.....yours will be simiiar....

 

Re: Low speed t-bone collision knocks something out of align

Reviving my old thread...

Finally got some time to poke around.

Removed the damaged cap and this is what i've found.. are these points supposed to touch? The side of the bike was hit by a front tire, so i cant believe there would be a ton of impact damage... after that its fall was broken by the handle bars bending. All in all I'm very confused.

 

The pickup coils are supposed to have an air gap between them and the ingition timing cam. Unless there is evidence of the cover kissing the internals I wouldn't expect any damage to have been done there.

 

Re: Low speed t-bone collision knocks something out of align

there is some evidence. starter fluid got the bike running today, and i rode it for a couple hours. It will start right up if its warm. I could have another issue. It runs with the cap on but today i left it off.

 

Well that's no good. Does the ignition cam spin true? The air gap needs to be the same at both pickup coils, and shouldn't vary at all through the portion of rotation where the cam is closest to the coil. You should also check for crankshaft endplay, and have a look under the opposite cover for any signs of damage there.

Hopefully the cover absorbed the brunt of the hit and didn't transfer much force to the crankshaft.

 

I don't see anything wrong there. I have to agree with those who suggest done crisp got stirred up into the carbs, or a float got knocked out of whack--- smell the crankcase and see if it smells like gas is in there ----

Dave

 

I'll agree with that, but I'd hate for something to be overlooked.

 

The first thing i would do is clean out all that oil and metal shavings that does wonders on electrical components. I could be wrong check and make sure the star wheel is not bent grinding on the cover did that no good. Looks like its been leaking oil for a long time. It might not be the problem but check it out really good

 

Thanks for the responses guys, will update asap

 

Replace the cover; it's obviously caved in and hitting the ignition plate. Don't put it back on.

Make sure the ignition trigger wheel is spinning evenly and that the air gap to the pickups is the same for both, and then install your new cover.

 

Re: Low speed t-bone collision knocks something out of align

Take it for a short spin without the cover on: see how she runs.