CB1100 Idle speed instability problem

[Cormanus]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but john514's report says to me that one part of Honda US is aware of this issue. Maybe Dave's contact Kelly is not aware of this.

If it were me, I'd be trying to organise all other CB1100 owners with the same problem to make a joint approach to Honda US. I'd be talking to john514 off line in the hope that, in private, he might provide me with details of the Honda tech so I could make another request of Honda. I'd do it in writing and, if I didn't get a satisfactory answer, I'd contact Honda Japan to see whether that produced a response.

Just sayin'.

[dave]

I've never head the expression 'go pound sand' before. It's not used down under. I like it, although, in this case, Dave, I'm sorry it was Honda's response.

I got the expression "Go pound sand" from my father. I think this is something he learned while serving in the air force during WWll. I actually haven't heard anybody use it here in years.

[the Ferret]

I have a riding buddy that passed away a couple years ago that said it frequently. He was a stubborn old coot so maybe he learned it shortly after the war, cause he was too young to be in it lol. Vietnam era though.

RIP Roger

[Aka Tsubasa_imp]

I say "Go Pound Sand" all the time and I'm in my early 40's. Sounds perfectly normal to me.

[Lord Popgun]

When I was in the Navy we used to say pound sand. Or pack sand. As in pack sand in your, ummm, rear.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Pound sand

Pound salt

I've heard both.

[pdedse]

I'm into linguistics as a language teacher, so fun to hear both sand and salt used...but forgive me if I return to topic

Since my high idle issue just started, I think I want to chronicle exactly what's going for my own and others' reference, things I do or do not do, and results. I know we have the spreadsheet, but a bit more description here.

My bike: 2014 Standard, purchased Jan, '16. Currently near 9k miles, but 8k valve check not done, all other maintenance done as scheduled.

About three weeks ago, after an hour ride, fairly warm day, almost zero stops through country riding I stopped for gas. Idle spiked to 1500 and stayed that way 2.5 miles home. Started right away, same 1500 idle. An hour later, started and idle settled at 1000. Went on vacation till yesterday.

Today: (90+ temp) did the "the throttle twisting reset" (Key on, gauges cycle, then kill switch on, wait for under tank sounds to cease, three slow throttle twists from zero to full. Kill switch to off position, key to off position. Key on, gauges, kill switch, sounds done, start) as MM300 stated a while back (does this come from the owner's manual?).

Cold bike idled at 1400-1500 then dropped to 1200 after a minute or two. Within 1 block idle speed rose to 1500. Rode 2.5 miles to buy Seafoam and added 4oz. Did throttle reset again. Idle stayed at 1500. Did WOT for 2-4 seconds a number of times on local hiway in gears 2, 3 and 4. Couldn't safely get much above 6000rpm because of traffic. Idle speed dropped to 1000 and stayed that way for a number of stops during a 10 mile "spirited" ride.

Stopped bike, turned off engine with kill switch. Let sit for 1 minute, started bike and idle jumped back to 1500. Rode 4 miles and idle stayed at 1500. Shut off engine and restarted, idle dipped to 1200 then rose back to 1500 within a few seconds. Rode another 15 miles mostly hiway, again trying to ride WOT in different gears for 3-4 seconds each time. Idle would not come down from 1500.

Rode about 22 more miles of mainly hiway, did WOT when I could. 1500 up to 1700 idle when I came to a stop. Let bike sit for 30 minutes. Started and idle was immediately 1000. Rode 15 miles, no more testing of throttle and WOT. Each stop bike was at 1000 rpm. Shut off bike, let it sit for 1.5 hours. Started and idle maybe hit 1200 but then came down to 1000 right away. Stayed at 1000 at all stops for 5 miles home. Idled a minute at home at 1000 and it didn't budge.

Not holding my breath that the end result today is permanent, but I would be thrilled, of course, if it lasted a while.

No other "fixes" were attempted, only what was described here. I'll continue to report what happens over the next few days whether trouble returns or doesn't.

Comment: no one wants to, but I could live with this. The thing I don't like is that when I roll off throttle to check speed coming up to traffic or a stop sign/light, it's as if I continue to accelerate. The engine doesn't wind down and brakes have to be used more.

Hope it helps.

[the Ferret]

Just a wacky problem. There has to be a trigger. If we can only figure it out.

[Aka Tsubasa_imp]

Seems like whenever pdedse's engine cooled off the idle came down.

[pdedse]

Seems like whenever pdedse's engine cooled off the idle came down.

Yes. Except when I started out first thing today. The bike had been sitting for nearly 3 weeks, and the fast idle at 1500 started just a block from my house. But after it was warmed-up good today, I let it sit for 1/2 hour and then no idle issues for a 15 mile ride. Then it sat for 1.5 hours and no idle issue for 5 miles.

I'll try it again tomorrow to see how it responds.