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Kman198
0
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2018
- Messages
- 458
- Reaction score
- 184
- Location
- Austin
- First Name
- Karl
- Last Name
- Haywood
As my middle son (son B) had done many years ago. My youngest (son C) has now decided to buy a motorcycle. He's very excited and talks frequently about him and me riding together and exploring Texas and beyond.
Son B had the same thoughts and talked about the same glorious adventures. As I wanted to take part in his excitement. I purchased a used 2014 Super Tenera. Son B and I did do some riding together. But, after a few poor decisions on his part. He gave up riding. I don't think we ever rode more the 100 miles together.
I continued to ride for a few years. Took a trip to Big Bend. Did a loop around Texas on a camping adventure. Then COVID hit and planted me at home for several years. I didn't ride at all. The most the Super T got was a trickle charger and a few laps around the neighborhood. Never far enough to burn up a tank of gas.
Back to son C. Being the supportive father I am. I do not wish to hinder his excitement for the road. I decided to dust off the Tenere and get it ready for some riding. Son C is picking up his bike on the 2nd. He wants me there where we can share our first ride.
The last time I tried to fire up the Tenere, nearly three (or more) months ago, the battery was exhausted and wouldn't take a charge. Replacing it, I started over. No issues. The bike started, not as promptly as it used to. But it fired up all the same. As before, drove it around the block a few times and parked it.
With March 2nd only weeks away. Saturday morning I pulled the cover off the Super T, put the key in, flipped the switch, and... nothing. She cranked over. And over. And over. Not a puff, not a fart, not even a hiccup.
Somewhat disappointed. I broke out the repair manual hoping to find the answer in a few short minutes of reading. As you most likely guessed, it doesn't work like that. Spent another two hours jacking around with something I've no experience with. I've been an auto mechanic when I was younger and do own a fair amount of tools. However, cracking into the motorcycle comes with some amount of anxiety for me.
Two more hours passed and I discovered I had spark, but the tank contained about 1 gallon of rancid gas. Cool... Pump that crap out, adding some fresh. Should be fine. Boy, how I thought I was high on the hog. Another hour passed and I had the key in the on position ready to flick the old starter. Crank, crank, crank... About now my French kicked in.
It was now crystal clear there was a fuel delivery issue. About this time, I noticed there wasn't a sound coming from the fuel pump when the key moved to the on position. As I recall, the pump would spin up to pressure and then shut off.
Pulling up the tank to access the fuel pump connections. I found 12+ volts and good ground. My "cup half empty side" started whispering in my ear that this repair was going to include many dollar signs. I browsed Partzilla for the pump and gave birth to a cow when I saw the price was nearly $500.
Lucky for me I have a wonderful and smart wife. She set to browsing the web finding a fuel pump that comes in under $50. It is a universal pump but does list the Super T as one of the many many bikes listed. We have it ordered and it's due on Thursday.
Son B had the same thoughts and talked about the same glorious adventures. As I wanted to take part in his excitement. I purchased a used 2014 Super Tenera. Son B and I did do some riding together. But, after a few poor decisions on his part. He gave up riding. I don't think we ever rode more the 100 miles together.
I continued to ride for a few years. Took a trip to Big Bend. Did a loop around Texas on a camping adventure. Then COVID hit and planted me at home for several years. I didn't ride at all. The most the Super T got was a trickle charger and a few laps around the neighborhood. Never far enough to burn up a tank of gas.
Back to son C. Being the supportive father I am. I do not wish to hinder his excitement for the road. I decided to dust off the Tenere and get it ready for some riding. Son C is picking up his bike on the 2nd. He wants me there where we can share our first ride.
The last time I tried to fire up the Tenere, nearly three (or more) months ago, the battery was exhausted and wouldn't take a charge. Replacing it, I started over. No issues. The bike started, not as promptly as it used to. But it fired up all the same. As before, drove it around the block a few times and parked it.
With March 2nd only weeks away. Saturday morning I pulled the cover off the Super T, put the key in, flipped the switch, and... nothing. She cranked over. And over. And over. Not a puff, not a fart, not even a hiccup.
Somewhat disappointed. I broke out the repair manual hoping to find the answer in a few short minutes of reading. As you most likely guessed, it doesn't work like that. Spent another two hours jacking around with something I've no experience with. I've been an auto mechanic when I was younger and do own a fair amount of tools. However, cracking into the motorcycle comes with some amount of anxiety for me.
Two more hours passed and I discovered I had spark, but the tank contained about 1 gallon of rancid gas. Cool... Pump that crap out, adding some fresh. Should be fine. Boy, how I thought I was high on the hog. Another hour passed and I had the key in the on position ready to flick the old starter. Crank, crank, crank... About now my French kicked in.
It was now crystal clear there was a fuel delivery issue. About this time, I noticed there wasn't a sound coming from the fuel pump when the key moved to the on position. As I recall, the pump would spin up to pressure and then shut off.
Pulling up the tank to access the fuel pump connections. I found 12+ volts and good ground. My "cup half empty side" started whispering in my ear that this repair was going to include many dollar signs. I browsed Partzilla for the pump and gave birth to a cow when I saw the price was nearly $500.
Lucky for me I have a wonderful and smart wife. She set to browsing the web finding a fuel pump that comes in under $50. It is a universal pump but does list the Super T as one of the many many bikes listed. We have it ordered and it's due on Thursday.
Well, I don't know which one of the tricks worked, but after doing that very complicated procedure, it fired right up.
