trike shut down again

Going thru Hartford yesterday my trike lost power and motor shut down just like it did in Charlotte two years ago. Seems like this only happens when I'm travelling in 5th gear. In the slow stop an go travel at the exit I lost track of which gear I was in and when I got in with the flow of traffic I went into 5th gear and less then a mile down the road, my trike lost power. Luckily this time, I was in the right lane and had a very wide breakdown lane to coast to.

seems strange that I can't ride in Overdrive (5th) but I can ride 70 mph in 4th gear for over a thousand miles. Will have it checked out this winter when I drop trike off for a few upgrades during my mechanics slow season.

Any guesses on what the issue could be will be considered. My trike was converted from an 09 Yamaha Venture.

I’m thinking a neutral safety switch picking up the wrong tranny location.

[QUOTE=DblTrbl;608568]Going thru Hartford yesterday my trike lost power and motor shut down just like it did in Charlotte two years ago. Seems like this only happens when I'm travelling in 5th gear. In the slow stop an go travel at the exit I lost track of which gear I was in and when I got in with the flow of traffic I went into 5th gear and less then a mile down the road, my trike lost power. Luckily this time, I was in the right lane and had a very wide breakdown lane to coast to.

seems strange that I can't ride in Overdrive (5th) but I can ride 70 mph in 4th gear for over a thousand miles. Will have it checked out this winter when I drop trike off for a few upgrades during my mechanics slow season.

Any guesses on what the issue could be will be considered. My trike was converted from an 09 Yamaha Venture.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like fuel related problem. Fuel filter, fuel line, fuel pump or gas cap vent stopped up. Fuel filter problems usually show up in high gear when demand for fuel exceeds delivery. If left unattended, the symptom will progress into the next lower gear until no fuel is allowed to pass at all.

[QUOTE=Lee H. Mann;608655]Sounds like fuel related problem. Fuel filter, fuel line, fuel pump or gas cap vent stopped up. Fuel filter problems usually show up in high gear when demand for fuel exceeds delivery. If left unattended, the symptom will progress into the next lower gear until no fuel is allowed to pass at all.[/QUOTE]

Had brand new fuel filter and fuel pump installed 10 days before my trip so that is not the issue. Will take a look at fuel line and gas cap.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[QUOTE=DblTrbl;608696]Had brand new fuel filter and fuel pump installed 10 days before my trip so that is not the issue. Will take a look at fuel line and gas cap.

Thanks for the suggestion![/QUOTE]

Mechanics 101.........Go back to the last thing that you did.....:Shrug:

I would thoroughly check/test the charging/electrical system.

It's possible that it is not putting out the proper voltage at higher RPM's, indicating a possible stator problem & or a voltage regulator issue.

Check to see if it has a kick stand switch ... symptoms would be the same if the trike thought the stand was down, even if it's been removed (the stand).

[QUOTE=FuzzyWuzHe;609237]Check to see if it has a kick stand switch ... symptoms would be the same if the trike thought the stand was down, even if it's been removed (the stand).[/QUOTE]

That wouldn't explain being able to ride in 4th for miles bu not 5th. I'd check the charging system. Like the voltage regulator but even that is questionable about the 4th and 5th thing. Is it possible to repeat the failure in 4th running the same RPM where it fails in 5th. The tach can cause failures like this too according to the dealer that worked on my Harley once. In my case my problem was only corrected with a ECM replacement. Hope you don't end up there.

Just another shot in the dark.......If it happens again , As your riding crack open the gas cap...:Shrug:....

What does losing power mean? Does it shutoff like you switched the ignition off? Does it seem to run normally, but you try to to turn the throttle and just won't go any faster? Does it sputter or run poorly just before it stops? Is it hard to restart or does it start immediately and run fine? If its shuts off like switch, its usually electrical. If it sputters to a stop like its struggling to go on could be a lack of fuel. When you're out on the highway trying turning the gas off. Does it replicate the condition, ie stop in the same way? Then you'll know how it runs when its running out fuel. Your mechanic will need all the info you can provide because it doesn't sound like something he can replicate on a test ride.

[QUOTE=DblTrbl;608696]Had brand new fuel filter and fuel pump installed 10 days before my trip so that is not the issue. Will take a look at fuel line and gas cap.

Thanks for the suggestion![/QUOTE]

just because its brand new doesnt mean its 100%... only means someone else hasnt owned it before....

probably you are ok .... buuutt

Yep, new parts can be bad right out of the box.

If the shop has a scan tool, they can check switch/ and relay functioning, plus every engine related sensor and actuator within minutes....talk a ride with the scanner hooked up and hopefully catch the problem when it happens.

I would in this case, think the youngest technitian would be the most knowledgable and hopefully the most honest....

forgot to add....to me, new, means (not worn out), not necessarily better or more reliable. But usually, new is better and more reliable.

Hope you get it figured out Dennis!