No idle after heavy rain

[nilsthenomad]

Last night I got caught in some seriously heavy rain on the way home from work. It was only 2 miles so I just suffered it out and got soaked. However, after getting pretty wet I stopped at a light and my bike did not want to idle. It just died. I restarted it after a lot of cranking and got it to rev up and to limp home the last  mile, knowing that if I let of the throttle it would die. I figured that everything just got too wet and maybe shorted the plugs or something. Put it in the garage and assumed all would be well after a night of drying out. I started the bike tonight to go to work, and sure enough again it does not want to idle or idles very rough. Yesterday before the rain the bike was idling perfectly, now its not. Anyone know what could have happened? Also, i do not have pods i have the original airbox.

[TOOLS1]

I am going to say that it is still wet somewhere. If it is a SOHC pull the points cover and check inside, pull the tank, and check the coils, and wires under there.
TOOLS

[sgtslag]

This is probably not your primary issue, but it is a related, 'aside' item, to check.

The blow-by bottle, under the seat.  It collects water-oil-crap, from the engine.  People often forget to periodically empty this bottle, which then backs the crud up into the engine, causing problems.  There is a clear hose, hanging down below the battery, with a plug in it.  Put a bucket under it, then pull the plug, and let it drain.  Put the plug back in, and done.  Crud will accumulate faster in the bottle, if you ride in the rain.  I drained mine, however, after four days of riding 150-250 miles in the rain each day, and I got nothing out of it, so it is just something to periodically check.

Another 'aside' would be to add some SeaFoam to the gas, to absorb any water in the tank, or anywhere else in the fuel system -- inexpensive, dissolves varnish, also.  Add 1 oz. of SeaFoam per gallon of gas in the tank, then ride.  Best of luck!  Cheers!

[shinyribs]

TOOLS1 wrote

I am going to say that it is still wet somewhere. If it is a SOHC pull the points cover and check inside, pull the tank, and check the coils, and wires under there.
TOOLS

^^This.   See if it's hitting on all four. Feel to see what pipes are hot and which are cold. That will narrow it down to which cylinder and you can inspect from there. If you have a cold pips check for spark on that plug.

Like Tools said, it's most likely a coil or a trigger/points issue.