CB1100 Idle speed instability problem

[peterbaron]

I wonder how regularly you have to use Top Tier gas, to see any benefit, and/or at what point someone who hadn't previously used top tier gas could begin using top tier gas and see a benefit?

Hi Ferret,
In general, using TT gas and FI cleaners is more preventive/maintenance than a "repair formula"..
My advice:: use TT gas regularly and FI cleaner/decarboniser according to distance driven, at least once a season ....if someone neglected, using TT gas alone may not be enough and should be backed by FI cleaner/decarbonizer 2-4 per season.. read instruction prior using .....
Also, stay with good quality oils and OEM parts instead of aftermarket oil filters that rapture while driving and cost one $300 or more..this is where gas saving is lost forever..
Have trouble free and safe riding
:)
-------------------------
50K

[the Ferret]

I have always used Seafoam in my gas a couple of times a year, but I buy gas when I need gas whether there is a top tier station around or not ie: I don't go out of my way to seek out top tier stations., especially when I am out touring. Top Tier around here tends to be a bit more expensive, maybe 10 cents a gallon on average compared to the non top tier stations. Sometimes I will drive the 10 miles to the closest top tier station to me for some of " the good stuff", but I don't know that I am doing my engine any good by doing so, it just makes me feel like I am doing something good for the bike lol.

[peterbaron]

I have always used Seafoam in my gas a couple of times a year, but I buy gas when I need gas whether there is a top tier station around or not ie: I don't go out of my way to seek out top tier stations., especially when I am out touring. Top Tier around here tends to be a bit more expensive, maybe 10 cents a gallon on average compared to the non top tier stations. Sometimes I will drive the 10 miles to the closest top tier station to me for some of " the good stuff", but I don't know that I am doing my engine any good by doing so, it just makes me feel like I am doing something good for the bike lol.

FERRET,
Do not go crazy about gas by doing special trips ... a lot of gas stations now are TT...and no one knows from which refinery/distributor is coming :(

[pdedse]

Just wanted to post a quick update here. As every year, when summer and high temperatures are fading here in SoCal I've noticed the low idle issue with my '14 CB1100 is back to minimum. The opposite process will start to kick in from April-May again, so at least I have a few months to relax.

I know we all have shared our experiences, feedback from the dealer, non-response from Honda (unreal), etc. so I was just wondering if this will be an unresolved problem forever or at some point someone either from Honda or with enough knowledge from the forum (unfortunately I don't have it) will find what is the root cause of this issue.

At this point I'm used to it, and since the bike doesn't fully die I think I'm going to accept it as a part of our bike's personality. I honestly prefer having this thought instead of the frustration of owning a pseudo-defective bike with no support from the MotoGp world champion brand.

I hope someday we'll get an answer, or Honda will decide to take a look at something that many of us have reported. Otherwise Mulder and Scully would be the last option...

Just venting before this thread dies and we all give up.

Ride safe everyone, gasssssss

Although my issues did just start this last July, I wasn't convinced that it was warm air temp dependent because some hot days it would high idle, some hot days it wouldn't, some cooler days it would, some it wouldn't. But now temps are down to daytime 60-70 here in Oregon and the last 3 times out, no issues at all.

If this holds, then I too will enjoy the winter riding and appreciate it all the more.

But, if it doesn't act up till warmer temps return, then this throws a wrench into my plans because I was thinking of taking it in to the dealer and having them give me their $99 opinion. Actually, I'm going to show them the spreadsheet, a few highlighted anecdotes, give them my story (bike started with issues 6 months after warranty ended) and request they do a diagnosis for free. It can't hurt to ask.

So, live in the present, and enjoy my beautiful steed with no idle issues...till next June?

Haha, I don't really believe that, but I can afford to be optimistic because my 07 KLR650 never fails me...until it does.

[beardyweirdy@me.com_imp]

I had the idle problem both before and after the guhl re-flash.
Since they updated the ecu at the Honda service centre I've had no more idle issues.... touch wood.

[Cormanus]

Beardy, did you lose the benefits of the Guhl reflash when Honda redid it?

[pdedse]

Update: Last two weeks I had 3 rides of 1 hour plus each with no issues. Cooler temps? But then a few days ago went for a ride and low idle returned after one hour, about 600-700RPM. Turned engine off, back to normal at 1000. I thought about waiting till next spring before talking to service at Honda dealer, but today was a nice day. So I wrote up a letter explaining the high/low idle issues, mentioned the IACV and throttle body assembly replacement fixes, made mention of this thread, highlighted a number of experiences folks here have had, and printed out the spread sheet. Beaverton Honda is a good 45 minutes from me in Gresham, so I figured that with any "luck" the idle issue would act up by the time I got there.

And...nope! Rock solid at 1000RPM the whole time there. Talked to the Service Tech and he said the Service Manager was out at the moment. I explained, he listened, but said that if it wasn't acting up, it might be pointless to leave the bike with them since it takes an hour of riding for the problem to happen of late. They charge $115 for a diagnostic.

I told him what I wanted was for the SM to read my letter, read the spreadsheet and give me a call. Then if I could get the idle to act up and brought it in the day of the ride, at least they would know exactly what I've had to deal with. He thought that was reasonable. After glancing at the spreadsheet he asked if I bought the bike there (I did) and if I had any service done with them (only the 600 mile; I've done the 4k and 8k mile oil changes). He said in some cases they can request Honda to cover an issue--implying even if it were out of warranty by a bit--but that in those cases they do so because the customer has had all service done with them...which, like I said, I have not.

So Tuesday, I'll give the SM a call to discuss things. What would I like? Since I bought the bike from them, I'd like for them to do the diagnostic at no charge. Tell me what they think it is. If it's throttle assembly at ($3k?--I've been led to believe), no thanks, unless Honda gave them the OK--not holding my breath on that one. But if they said IAVC, I might listen.

I decided to make this known to the dealer mainly so that they get more familiar with the problem. I'll send the letter off to Honda as well. I don't expect anything to happen, but as others have said, making the issue known with Honda is probably the best way to go instead of just "living with it" as I may end up doing anyway.

My complaint? HONDA...if you're going to make bikes that are unreliable (wink-wink), at least make them reliable in their unreliability!! If I can't rely on reliable unreliablity, then what's the point of not buying an extended warranty? I fully expected the idle issue to act up for the Service department...and nada!!!

I hung around the dealership area making lots of local stops, turned bike off, started multiple times, hiway riding, stop and go...the dang RPM needle would not budge off the 1000 mark! sheesh! Then I ride home, run into some bumber to bumber traffic, over 7 miles of it at 5-10mph...and nothing! 1000RPM just laughing at me all the way home. I actually found myself shouting at my bike "come on, you piece of Honda perfection!!...STOP your perfect idling!!!"

Total failure to not-perform! : )

Ok, back to being serious: Service folks confirmed for me that valve check would be $575 plus a $40 gasket. The price would be the same if any adjustments were needed. Lots of $$$. If my idle issues continue, I'll probably just forego it till about 20k miles.

My stock tires are at 10,200 miles. I suppose it's time. But I'll probably wait till mid winter. They want $150 to install both tires (cheaper if I were to bring wheels in separate). Replacement tires through them were $313 for stock equivalents. That's $463 for new tires mounted. I wonder if they would take my '14 as trade-in for a new '14 that they may sell at what, $6500? Heck, they should give me 4k for trade-in right? That means I come up with $2500 and get a new '14 with new tread, no idle issue (knock on wood), and no valve inspect needed for another two plus years. Hmmm...interesting idea.

Have a great afternoon, gents. BTW...are there any female riders of CB1100s?

[the Ferret]

LOL intermittent problems are just the worst. In the mid 70's I was the manager of a Kawasaki shop. I had a customer complain that sometimes his bike would not start, but just sometimes. I told him to bring it. I gave it to my head mechanic. Over the next couple of days he tried starting the bike 50 times and every time varrom. Every time he walked past it, he would turn the key, hit the button and varrom. I called the customer and told him we could not duplicate his problem. He came and picked it up. The next day he called and said it wouldn't start. Bring it back in. We then over the next few days proceeded to start it 100 times. Every time varrom. We could not get it not to start. Customer came and got it and we never heard from him again. Don't know if it quit again or not, but it never would as long as we had it.

[pdedse]

LOL intermittent problems are just the worst. In the mid 70's I was the manager of a Kawasaki shop. I had a customer complain that sometimes his bike would not start, but just sometimes. I told him to bring it. I gave it to my head mechanic. Over the next couple of days he tried starting the bike 50 times and every time varrom. Every time he walked past it, he would turn the key, hit the button and varrom. I called the customer and told him we could not duplicate his problem. He came and picked it up. The next day he called and said it wouldn't start. Bring it back in. We then over the next few days proceeded to start it 100 times. Every time varrom. We could not get it not to start. Customer came and got it and we never heard from him again. Don't know if it quit again or not, but it never would as long as we had it.

That's funny! But that's what I'm afraid will happen if I leave the bike with service, particularly with the cooler temps. They'll do their $115 diagnostic and will say "can't replicate issue" because they it won't act up on a test ride of 5-10 miles.

For the couple of members who had the IACV replaced or the throttle assembly, I wonder how the techs went about determining that. Was the bike hooked up to a computer? Was the high / low idle issue replicated while at the shop? Did they physically "open things up" and test parts? I know Riko had a video, and I think that's what I'll do and show them before leaving bike for any extended time.

[dsan1964_imp]

Mine was on a low idling kick... now it's on a high idling run... 1350.


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