Struggling in Rain - BT125 T9

[tomiam]

Bike runs very well in all normal weather scenarios.
However, when its been standing outside in the rain for 3 - 4 hours I get problems.
Info:-
1) It starts up without any issues at all.
2) It pulls away on full throttle without any issues.
BUT.... once Ive been 200 - 300 metres from where I started, the engine starts stuggling. It almost like the spark plug isnt firing. The more I open the throttle the worse it gets to the point that the bike is spluttering to a low speed. Note that this is only after its been raining. Normal weather its perfectly fine.
However, if I reduce the throttle to about 30% open then it clears and the engine runs smoothly. Open to 31% and it starts to struggle a little bit.

My initial thought was that it was some form of damp / wet getting into the spark plug area. I have ensured that the plug is in nice n tightly though.
Im wondering if damp air via the air filter might be to blame, or if the coil is a bit dodgy?

Any help / direction gratefully received.

[Macrofeet]

i had problems with my bike before i switched to a highflow

so it is probably water getting in your airbox

[cmtboy]

i have this exact same problem!

[ally1756]

so do i

[Macrofeet]

what i is thinking is

when you put high pressure eg open up it suxs in the damp water from the air filter

when you go slow there is not enough suxing going on to drag the water up into the engine

maybe rasing the air intake pipe a lil would help or raising the air box at the front

[tomiam]

Wow, I didnt expect many people to have this problem.
I will have a look at the airbox and see if there is any possiblilty for moving it.
I did have a thought this morning, I wonder if smearing a light coat of oil over the foam part of the air filter would help. I guess I can but try.

Thanks for the reassurance that Im not alone here

[ally1756]

im pretty sure its the HT lead, im gonna get a bettter one for my QT-9 soon

[enu06]

Hi, I'm new to this site, so I hope this goes o.k. I have a new Sukida 125 T3, identical to yours, I had much the same problem, for me the easy fix was to open the air box and take out the restricter, its that nozzle looking thing pointing fprward near the back end of the box. It just slids in/out. The worst bit is getting to the box, most of it is under the panel. To remove this panel, take out the self tapping screws to the lower panel, remove the 2 screws under the small panel that holds the rear reflector and GENTLY lift and pull this off, now you can slide the bottom panel back, you will see locating lugs that hold it to the top panel. Fit back in reverse order. After taking the restrictor out, try the bike for a while before replacing panel incase you find you cant handle the extra gut wrenching power! Good luck!
I also have a guide to take off your silencer if you are intersted, if you dont know the score it is very difficult to get it back on, the bands being the problem.

[ally1756]

theirs no restrictor in my airbox BT50QT-9
ally

[Macrofeet]

wierd there was one in a 125 must have been limited for

16 - 21

yeah there is a nossle tho in the airbox but if you take it out the bike runs is completely gash for me it kept doing about 2 meters then the engine would cut out

rasing the pipe or front of air box might be enough to stop the problem basicly so the water runs to the back also oil might work as well to stop the water passing the filter i would not use wd40

[tomiam]

Enu06 - I know the bit you mean. Ive taken the air filter apart a few times to clean it through out (just routine maintanence). I will try it without it and see what happens.


Also - could very well be the HT lead. I had an issue with an old one, so I cut the wire from the coil and spliced in a new one via a metal wire connector. Its a decent job and is water proofed as well. I will have a look at it when I put in the new Race Coil from scooter assassins.

Macrofeet - why not WD40 please? I saw a can laying about at work and it said something like "dispurses water". Im sure there is a logical reason and you will no doubt have saved me from blowing up my scoot. Again

[ally1756]

dont use WD40 its not designed for that purpose and it will just make your airfilter tacky and smelly and could hamper performance

[dmilo]

Hey all ,
dont use wd-40
K&N makes a oil special for filters i just bought for my free flow filter
11.00 usd

dmilo

[Macrofeet]

see this post taishanowners.proboards41.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=mechanics&thread=1143899534&page=1

[tomiam]

Thanks
With Easter Holidays being upon us I think its time I did some work on it.

Again - thanks for the input all. Very much appreciated. Just wish Id found this forum ages ago
/salute

[Jenkos0wls]

Hey all these bikes dont seem to run very well in rain. this is what i did to cure mine.

1) Get from halfords a product called damp start. and spray it on your spark whilst its in place on the engine. leave to dry and spray once more. it leaves a thin water proof layer over the spark plug.

2) Make sure your ht lead isnt connecting to any metal as when this becomes wet it to can jump to the frame.

3) Cover the HT lead with Damp start. then place it back in the spark plug.

4) if you have got a free flow do what i recomended in cleaining your free floww clean.

5) for those of you with standard airbox buy a product called easy start. you spray this in the foam of the box and it just makes the air goin through more flammable and easy to combust.

6) then seal your airbox and spray it with dampstart to make it water proof.

[onamission1989]

i have this problem as well, just checking the airbox is the black box with the sponge in?

[ally1756]

yup