Hesitation in mid- to upper- RPMs

[J. Kidd]

I noticed I'm getting a hesitation in 5th or 6th gear at highway speeds when I go FOT. I don't notice it at lower gears and I'm guessing that's because the torque of the lower gears is carrying it through. My two guesses would be fuel or spark issues. I plan on throwing in some fuel injector cleaner (Chevron Techron) to see if that clears it up in case the carbs are a little gummed up. My next step would be to change my plugs - they're over 7k miles and probably due anyway.

Has anybody experienced this and if so, are there other areas I should be checking?

Next: I haven't checked my Clymer manual yet but what's involved in changing the plugs (ie. do I have to remove the tank)?

Thanks for any help.

[trinc]

welcome,

yes, you have to remove the tank.

it would be good to know what rpm range your riding at just before going WOT. i'd do both - a little fuel cleaner AND change the plugs.

but more knowledge about the bike would help - jetted ?


tim

[J. Kidd]

I'm sorry - my bike info used to be in my sig at 'the Planet'...

It's '96 Katana 600. I have a K&N air filter, Factory 5 Degree Ignition advancer, and I run Mobil 1 MX4T Synthetic Oil in it. Other than that, she's stock.

I didn't notice this last season before she went in for winter and for most of November, December and January I was able to ride about once a week (on average). Let January and all of February have been tough (too cold or too snowy).

I guess I notice it mostly cruising in 6th gear at about 6000-6500 rpms. If I go WOT at that point, I get a couple second hesitation and then she catches and goes. I also might be down on power overall but I've been attributing that to me getting more used to the bike. However, if there is a high-end miss or the carbs are a little choked, she probably is down on power.

I'll run some injector cleaner first and then when its warmer I'll swap the plugs.

Any other maintenance things I should/could do while I'll have the tank off?

[md86]

You know , I had the exact same problem a few months back whilst I was experimenting with jetting . I put in one size larger mains and it went away . I'm not saying that that's what YOUR problem is , but .... Have you messed with your jetting or anything that would effect that lately ? When's the last time you synched the carbs , or have you messed with them lately ? Lots of people say they have a hesitation and synching makes it go away . Just some ideas ....

[The CyberPoet]

I'll run some injector cleaner first and then when its warmer I'll swap the plugs.

Any other maintenance things I should/could do while I'll have the tank off?

The obvious ones are:

Valve adjustment
Carb cleaning
Carb Syncing (as MD86 said)
JetKit if you want to install one
Checking the valve cover gaskets for leaks & replacing as necessary
Cleaning up and smearing dielectric grease on the coil connections.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet