SS180 cuts out

[iainc]

After starting real good, the bike runs real well, but if I go for  a 50 MPH rum after 20 mins it starts to hiccup and then when I close the throttle it dies. I then leave for half an hour and it starts real good again.

There is a spark when it stops. I have had the carb electronically cleaned, changed the HT cole and lead, re-seated the head and am now totally at a loss. Any ideas or anyone know a very good mechanic in the south? 

[sbwnik]

Condenser failure. You can still get a spark when it's on it's way out.

[henri]

yep,i second what nic reckons ,a failing condenser like a coil will heat up in use an then cut out altogether ,soon as its cool it works again , take it for a run an when it dies feel the coil body ,warm=ok, hot/ouchy=failing ,mostly its the first 1 an its the condenser failing ,there cheap as chips but ya need to be able to solder well to change em, an also a new plug ,jus coz it sparks out in the open doesnt mean it aint failing under load/heat an pressure in the engine ,
an which bit of the south do ya need a "good mechanic" in , the souths a bit of a wide place , i'm in brighton/portsmouth area an know a couple ,an have prob heard of shops/garages in ya area if your more specific . H

[iainc]

Thanks guys. This has been going on from the day I put her on the road some 8 years ago. It did run fine when I could get Leaded petrol and I did change the condenser, but that was some time ago so will try again. This is my second coil but will try and see if it is hot when she stops. Funny that she stops when I close the throttle coming off the duel carriageway. Portsmouth is as local to me as it gets. If you have any names that I could try after, I have changed the condenser, would be real good. I didn't think that the condenser was soldered in!

[sbwnik]

That could help...

There is a lovely old bikers trick - if you run a wire from the points outside the engine casing, and to a bracket mounted on the casing. On the bracket are two condensers, each with a bullet connector on the lead. One attaches to the points circuit, the other sits as a spare.
Any problems, two minute job to swap them over, and being outside the engine helps them to stay cool.

[iainc]

Hi Long time with this one. put in a new condenser, new points and replaced the cables. All was good for about 70 miles. Sun was out a couple of days ago so I took the scooter out and it has started again. So I think that the condenser could be fried again. do you know what knocks out a condenser? Would I need to replace the stator wires? 

 

[henri]

condenser die , its a fact of life ,thats why a lot of brit bikers use to do what nic reccomended , are ya still after a mechanic ,as i'm in petersfield 15 miles north of pompey from thurs to sunday every week , H

[iainc]

Hi Henri. Yes I could be. I think this condenser issue, I will get there but just need to keep replacing, until I get to the problem. But I have other issues on other bikes. What is your experience/speciality? Are you just scooters 2 stroke etc.?

[vespasco]

Have you checked your cam on the crank too? Does it open the points evenly/smoothly?

8/10 SS180 owners, (who expressed a preference), said they carry a spare condenser

[henri]

as the tag line says "wheels+noise" makes henri a happy lad ,i dont do pushbikes tho, anything from brit bikes/jap bikes/vesps/lammies/classic cars /landies upto commercials ,for instance my missus's daily car is a 66 1200 herald with a mild tune spitfire lump,in my garage a couple of vespas an a 82 montessa twin shock an the "b*st**d" a bsa c15 with a honda cb350 engine that trys to kill me occasionaly hence the name , last 2 builds for mates where a xt600e flatracker an a lammie chop,an did a cut-down cosa for missus last august ,aswell as a couple of smallframes for myself,an just talked my mate into lettin me build his tribsa in my bedroom , i'll stop braggin now ,oh an just scored a full race tune kwacker kx125 motocrosser ,as i noticed the lump is perfect size for my lambretta ld frame that was goin to have a boring auto lump in it,
AaaHHHH , thats better ,bit of boasting sets me up for the day, basically its my passion ,some in the family call it my obsession an i'm only restricted by storage space ,seems 2 garages/3 sheds arent enuff , an your mention of other bikes has my attention/interest peaked , so come on put me out of my misery an tell uncle henri all your vehicle based woes ,you know you want to an you'll feel better afterwards , but no crying on my shoulder ,the damp sets off my rheumatism , H

[iainc]

So, As you know I have this SS180 that I bought in 2004 as a non-runner but with everything as it was delivered from the factory. I won’t go through all that I have done to her, but all works well other than this issue of cutting out when hot. Thought I had sorted it out when I replaced the wiring and the condenser but looks like I am back to it stopping when hot. Next stage is to replace the rectifier and if that doesn’t work it will be the stator wiring.
I also have an SS90 and that I got MOTed last summer. I have issues with the electrics and although she went through the MOT the lights are only just on and only got this by moving the connectors around. She does run fin, but will cut out when I open the throttle up. However, I have managed to bump her before we stop. I have now put in a new main jet in, but as yet not tested her on the run (to cold).
I also have a Kawasaki 44LTD and although not worth anything I would like to get her on the road. The piston seized on her and bent the valve, plus the head was a bit of a mess. I got a replacement head and put her back together. She started but one side of the exhaust heats up RED and there is not the pull that there should be. One of the carbs needle had gone so I have a new one made up, as I thought it must be the Carb. No difference. I have had the carbs cleaned at a specialist, still no difference. This one is my main issue and I am getting out of my depth.

[henri]

2 scoots with electricals , nothin out the ordinary there then , an what main did ya drop into the ss90 an which carbs on it ,a shb19/19 is proper 1 i think, ive a spare 1 of them kicking about an a few different jets , on smallframes its best to be careful when messing with carbs as a airleak on the funny manifold joint can cause seizures ,did you replace the greased felt washer an use grey silicon sealant aswell ,
an ya kwacker ,ive run Z400's before as hacks , down on power n exhaust glow says exhaust valve needs lapping in as its leaking maybe , do you know what caused the seizure ,an is the hot side the 1 that seized,
i wouldnt change rectifier on ss180 just yet , thats just to charge the battery ,but would check the ignition coil on stater for breaking insulation an rotten joints , i havent a ss180 wiring diagram to hand but memorys saying its the same as battery model sportiques , is it still on 6volt or been uprated to 12volt , an if ya want to go electronic ive a small taper pk flywheel an probably a good stater in my stash , change bulbs n brake light switch ,which ive prob got ,a reg box n cdi an bye bye to points/condensers/coils an dim lights , H

[iainc]

Hi The SS90 is all standard Dellorto SHB 19/19 with a SHB40. I'm hopeful that it could be sorted. But it is still to cold for a run.
The Kawasaki I cant remember what piston was damaged. It didn't seize exactly. It was a few years ago, but I think that the valve got stuck and when the piston hit it, it bent the valve and damaged the glide. I did grind the valves back in but it could be that I didn't do a good job. I will have to take the flywheel of so will take another look at the wiring and the stator coils. I don't want to go to 12v as this is all original and I will keep it that way I just need to get to the fault.
If you fancy a look let me know and what your time would cost.

[henri]

well had a bit of a sleepless night so instead of countin lamb-chops thought electrics instead , the kwacker i'll message ya as i dont want to drag this forum over too "the darkside" ,
had a idea you'd want to keep ss180 stock , was just throwin that into the mix to see , an my best clue is that the ignition coil is breaking down under load or over producing an frying condenser , what do the faces of points look like ,as its best to change em regardless of wear every 2 condensers , tho properley set up thats every 4-6000 miles , lots more than what youve had ,
an i'd mis-remembered about the ss90 , the v100sport came with a 19/19 the ss90 was a 16/16 as stock, but most where instantly converted to 19/19,which pipe is it a, banana one ,an i'm guessing a stock filter , a 40 idle jet should be fine on that , an the cutting out on throttling could be too large a main jet , does it happen if ya crack the throttle open but less so if throttles eased on, an have you stripped the carb an checked the main jets clear an what size it is ,
biggest question is ,where in south are ya , i'm between brighton weeks n petersfield hampshire at weekends ,an my time to skive off jump on my bike an go look at scoots is free , petrol/beer/coffee not so. H

[iainc]

Hi I'm in Ptersfield. Sheet to be exact on the A272. Iain

[henri]

damm n buggery , i reside in shiit , aswell ,thursday to sunday , just off pulens lane , you aint the beggar been drivin me nuts startin a lambretta on sundays in pulens crescent are ya ,every time i go for a nosy he's either ridden off or put it away , been drivin me nuts ,rides with a union jack open face helmet , small world eh , an by the way henri's my nickname so you might already know me , dont believe the hype/rumours i'm not that bad , nobody could be . H

[iainc]

No not me. I have a red wheel cover on the SS180 and always have a parker with bull's-eye and 'The Who' written in it.

[henri]

Aaah ,thats you eh , ive spotted ya once i think but by time i'd turned you was gone , nice lookin scoot from what i saw , as i said i'm in sheet from thurs to sunday earlyish, saturday ive got to go aldersh*t way to drop off some crankcases ,will message ya my contact details ,drop us a txt an if ya like i'll wander round an have a chat/give a opinion , i dont get good reception at my pops so prob wont get a call but txt's eventually get thru , H

[iainc]

07704773035 and it is Iain

[iainc]

Thanks for your Text, sorry I wasn't about. It looks like I will have my hands full for a few weeks, so will text you to see how you are fixed, but it will probably be after Easter.
Cheers
Iain