K1300Gt exhaust can glowing red

[andym2]

I don't think an air box / idle valve problem or Lambda sensor would cause a single cylinder misfire, so it's got to be fuel, ignition or compression. If it was mine I'd have to know.

[nookles]

As the first mechanic couldn't find a solution I took the bike to Graham's Motorcycles in Bradford and Stephen found the problem within two hours. It helped that he had the diagnostics from the first mechanic and he eliminated it being a compression problem based on his experience of these bikes and the fact that valve clearances were good. He lifted the tank and shone a light down onto the air intake throttle bodies while the bike was running and noticed that the No 2 boot/seal was perished and leaking causing the bike to run lean and on three cylinders. It was obviously not apparent without the bike running so was probably missed by the first mechanic on that basis. I am replacing all four seals and whole cost will be £457 which is more than reasonable to get the bike back in shape. The only downside is that I was halfway to getting the wife to agree to a newer replacement still it's a great bike so I shouldn't grumble. Sometimes the simplest solutions are right under your nose!

[alaskier]

What were you thinking of replacing it with? A K16 or something else?

[richtea]

The only downside is that I was halfway to getting the wife to agree to a newer replacement ...

Standard Excuse No. 1:
"I need to replace it before it goes wrong again."

On the other hand, it's a K, so you might be disappointed by the next bike.

[NIBS]

As the first mechanic couldn't find a solution I took the bike to Graham's Motorcycles in Bradford and Stephen found the problem within two hours. It helped that he had the diagnostics from the first mechanic and he eliminated it being a compression problem based on his experience of these bikes and the fact that valve clearances were good. He lifted the tank and shone a light down onto the air intake throttle bodies while the bike was running and noticed that the No 2 boot/seal was perished and leaking causing the bike to run lean and on three cylinders. It was obviously not apparent without the bike running so was probably missed by the first mechanic on that basis. I am replacing all four seals and whole cost will be £457 which is more than reasonable to get the bike back in shape. The only downside is that I was halfway to getting the wife to agree to a newer replacement still it's a great bike so I shouldn't grumble. Sometimes the simplest solutions are right under your nose!

Thanks for sharing the solution I am sure somebody will benefit from it in the future.

[nookles]

What were you thinking of replacing it with? A K16 or something else?

Lol, never got past the negotiation stage never mind choosing a replacement model.
I think I would prefer to stay with the 1300 over the 1600 though.

[Matt]

Thanks for the update! That's possibly a new or quite rare one, perhaps coming now with age. All useful knowledge

[nookles]

Thanks for the update! That's possibly a new or quite rare one, perhaps coming now with age. All useful knowledge

I notice you are on a Superduke GT Bernard, would you recommend it as a two up tourer? Its a bike I have been casting my over lately. Not the prettiest machine but the write ups have peaked my interest.

[raesewell]

Or even piqued 

[nookles]

Or even piqued 

I'd like to blame my spelling mistake on something Rae, maybe I had a fit of peak?

[Matt]

Thanks for the update! That's possibly a new or quite rare one, perhaps coming now with age. All useful knowledge

I notice you are on a Superduke GT Bernard, would you recommend it as a two up tourer? Its a bike I have been casting my over lately. Not the prettiest machine but the write ups have peaked my interest.

Ah I've yet to carry a passenger on this bike I'm afraid. We have another owner here Chris, who will see this at some stage. He's often carrying his wife so will be letter placed to help. Though his might be rather customized, I forget.

I like the bike a lot though so far. I had a GS in between which was nice, but this is more like the K I had before that. Though possibly more insane.

[chriscanning]

[nookles]

Good picture Chris but I'm wondering if you have used the bike for touring.
On a personal level it ticks all my boxes however the pillion pegs seem a lot higher than my k1300Gt.
Just wondering how comfortable your wife finds the riding position?

[Matt]

We need a Wife Ergonomics site like that rider one I can never find! And possibly a comfort modifier based on leg lengths, osteoporosis, and how much they like their husband.

I'll get to it now in a minute. After I've been cancelled.

[nookles]

We need a Wife Ergonomics site like that rider one I can never find! And possibly a comfort modifier based on leg lengths, osteoporosis, and how much they like their husband.

I'll get to it now in a minute. After I've been cancelled.

LOL, very good.
We use bluetooth headsets to talk with one another, so if I get it wrong there will be no escape.
Could be a good ride ruined. :-)