This week I'd had enough, enough of waiting for the Uly to start misfiring, running on one cylinder and eventually cutting out in the pouring rain. Usually half way down the motorway or mid-corner or mid-overtake.

I have tried numerous things in the past, checking and adjusting the routing of the plug leads, changing the leads when they show signs of rubbing, using Magnecor leads, applying damp start, waxoil to the inside of the rubber boots. All having little effect over time. So bad that this week the bike was already misfiring and cutting out when new leads were only fitted 3 weeks ago. Checked the front lead and was already showing signs of rubbing.

My fix.
Take 2 lengths of 12.7mm/1/2 inch heater hose, about 2 inches shorter than the length of the spark lead without the rubber boots fitted.
Thread the leads through the heater hose and then refit the rubber boots using some silicon sealant.
Refit the leads to the sparkplugs and coil.

Now the plug leads cannot rub directly against the throttle cables, engine, mountings or frame.

Went for a 50 mile ride straight after to test. Anyone in the midlands/north of England who has stepped outside today will know how bad the rain is/was.
For the first 30 mins I rode with the same expectations as normal, waiting for a change in engine note, a splutter, a misfire and the dreaded cutting out.
On the motorway the truck wash occasionally caused a cough but nothing more. On the B roads round Squires, the roads were totally awash, deep puddles, deep enough to push my feet of the foot pegs but nothing went wrong. The bike kept running, off the throttle it returned to a smooth idle, at the lights/junctions it would sit there happily ticking over.

Finished the ride with a huge smile. Just able to concentrate on the riding, being smooth and setting up for corners and other hazards correctly and generally actually having fun.

Touch wood, this mod is working.

Just need some new waterproof boots and gloves.

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Buell owners should be committed (but not for life)

Nice...

Post some piccies...

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08 Specialized Langster

Another solution to the plug leads rubbing through would possibly be to cover them in the spiral wrap used on electrical wiring for protection

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2001 X1 2009 1125CR 2006 Uly X3 2010 Uly a fully Maz'd S1 and a 1991 RS1200 Westwind.

Sorry for the silly question but what is heater hose ???

Eric.

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'09 XB12XT
'02 Beta Alp 200
'82 + '83 CX500 euroSports's
'83 CX650 Custom
Green "4 Legged" SUV

This sort of thing, I'd say ..

I'd go for the rubberised Fibreglass covers. About two pahnds-fifty a metre

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Sept 2017. Email will find me.

Yep, that's the sort of thing. Just had to buy a metre length at Halfords for £2.50

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165746_productId_184559_langId_-1

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Buell owners should be committed (but not for life)

Hello peeps,

I know this post is 4 years old, but does anyone know what causes these problems in the rain? is it the fact the leads or lead rubs on things or is it the water getting on to the leads coil pack etc that causes the missfire/cutting out?

Can anyone shed more light on this as I need to sort my bike to stop it doing this before I ride to France ......

Thanks

Normally front HT lead wears through on the tickover adjust, but all the rubber parts deteriorate so replacing them with new (with some silicon grease if you are feeling over cautious) is not a bad idea...

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08 Specialized Langster

Cheers for the reply pash, I did start doing the job and now need a new plug and lead because of rot and rubbing, will replace both of course, just need to find some now in the uk

and where do you put the silicon grease? just inside the connections to go on the plugs and the coil

Got loads in stock......but not at my Buxton branch

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Buxton branch spent my hard earnt at sparkplugs ltd via the link you gave me but I hope there good ones at that price

Link I gave you ?.....I dont think so.....anything other than standard plugs are a complete waste of dosh IMO

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR