Just back from the lakes

[Barnett]

Did a mini tour over 5 days from south coast up to the lake district with a mate on his A4 stopping in Wrexham overnight both ways.
Gotta say riding up the east side of Wales and the lake roads were fantastic.
Had one day decent dry weather, off and on the rest of the days. Very weird riding up to Wrexham, roads were dry but constantly rained on, rain was chasing us all the way up! Lost count of people we met who wanted to chat about the bikes, bumped into a guy at petrol station near Penrith that had 8 kz900 Ltd's, yes 8! Dropped in to see Z Power on way back, bought a few goodies.

Did over 1000 miles mixed roads, some motorways.
Av fuel consumption 52 mpg
Oil consumption about 200ml
Rear tyre wear 1mm
Not bad for a 50 year old!

Got caught in major downpour out of Kendle up in the hills, otherwise faultless Z1a did its usual trick of dropping cyl 2&3 until it dried off for 10 min. Have tried everything to try and fix this, new coils, plugs, leads, front guard mudflap etc but its a mystery. Points housing dry.
Any ideas?

Pic here on ferry across Wyndamere, after seeing bikes ferryman let us cross free!

[Sifu]

[zed1015]

Got caught in major downpour out of Kendle up in the hills, otherwise faultless Z1a did its usual trick of dropping cyl 2&3 until it dried off for 10 min. Have tried everything to try and fix this, new coils, plugs, leads, front guard mudflap etc but its a mystery. Points housing dry.
Any ideas?

Looks like you have those hard plastic NGK plug caps ? so likey those are the cause.
I use dyna leads with the tight fitting rubber caps and never had a problem.

[Barnett]

Only just seen reply, thanks, interesting, thought they were waterproof, they do have rubber boots on them, will try some silicone grease, otherwise not sure how I can change them as there dosn't seem much else available, my ht leads are imbedded in the coils.

[Skid Mark]

Only just seen reply, thanks, interesting, thought they were waterproof, they do have rubber boots on them, will try some silicone grease, otherwise not sure how I can change them as there dosn't seem much else available, my ht leads are imbedded in the coils.

Might be worth looking at something like 3M potting resin. Will defiantly keep the water out but not sure if the cap would be reusable if the lead eventually broke down.

[BAFF1960]

In all my years for biking I've never had an issue with GENUINE NGK plugs or caps but a few with other set ups. I used to carry a small can of WD40 spray and any miss firing would usually be fixed with a quick squirt at the coils - not the caps. This was on 70/80's jap stuff.
The only time I've had an issue had an issue at the cap/plug was on my FAZER 600 when on its side stand. They have a water drain drilled for the outer plugs recess which had become blocked. The bike was stored outside and after an overnight downpour the plug recess filled with water and upon starting there was visible arcing to the head. Whilst it was lumpily ticking over on choke I gave it a quick squirt of WD which started a flash fire. Instantly tried to blow this out - with my helmet still on! Total dick head moment.

[Barnett]

Thanks for those replys chaps, I did have some spray on me and it made a little difference but not great, sprayed coils, but tank hides them. I guess I need to be more methodical in tracking this down, I will try the suggestions after taking the tank off and running remote fuel supply then hit it with a water spray bottle