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My 650 n reg (uk) runs sweet as a nut on a dry day but add more than a drizzle and it won't stay ticking over.  If I start it under cover and get the engine hot then I can just about get home if I don't throttle off too much in low gear. I have used vaseline on every connection I can find with the seats and side panels off to prevent water getting in. On the occasions I've broken down, using wd40 on ignition and kill switch didn't work either. I don't want to be condemmed to riding round with a cover in my backpack forever and don't want to put bike out to pasture for the winter.
Enough rambling! Any tips from fellow British weather sufferers? ???

Wow, I thought I was the only one with this problem! On Sep 29, I rode to work in a heavy rain and left the Savage Beast parked outside in the parking lot. It rained all day. When I tried to start it after work it took a long time to start and I really had to baby the throttle to keep it running while it warmed up. It never stalled on the way home but she did run pretty rough for about 6 miles. It was just a light drizzle on the ride home.


Ken in Albuquerque

You need to make sure you aren't getting water into the air box, carb and gas tank.. The  electrical stuff should be a gimme . Water and current don't mix. One thing i learned a long time ago. NEVER USE VASELINE on electrical connections  A. vaseline is an insulator ,current can't pass through it . I know you're trying to keep water out but you should use contact grease it will keep water out but it is also conductive so it will actually not impede current . B . Vaseline will actually corrode circuit boards and switch connections ( Kinda like when a rubber worm gets left in a tackle box and eats the plastic)

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:10:


Not a problem Rob.  Really.  I have ridden in some really strong rains for the last 2 years, and for the same reason as you state, I have tried to notice if that would cause any problem.

I remember that it burped once in a 70 mile ride in some hellatious rain at interstate speeds (to Deals Gap no less), and it happened when I stopped at a light.  However, in hind sight, It may have been that the engine was just too cold from all the water cooling.  I used a little choke and it restarted just fine.

I think the problem here is strictly electrical.  Don't worry.

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:10:


The top, middle and bottom of my head don't remember things like they used to

That's why I always post this picture.  You want a K&N? Here is the part number to buy it, and if you want the size you can use this number at the K&N site to find it....that is where I started.