Motorcycle Repair: engine miss at low speed and idle, high octane fuel, honda specs

Question
Hi Chris

I own a 1998 Goldwing SE.  It has about 36000 miles on it, and about 2 months ago I had a full service done from Honda Specs at a dealership.  After that, the bike developed a miss at below 1800 rpms, so I took it back.  They said it was bad gas and I should put some water removal fluid in it, which they sold to me.  Then the bike started loading up at about 60 mph and would start running slowly.  I took it back again, and they said the fluid had caused the fuel filter to fill up and they found a blockage in the gas tank vent which they removed.  Now the bike has a definite miss at idle and rpms below 1800 which makes it very hard to drive in city traffic.  Any suggestions on how to easily correct this problem or exactly what the problem is?  It almost sounds like a fouled plub or water in the gas.  I use only high octane fuel and have filled it up from almost empty about 3 - 4 times since it was last in the shop.  I do not want to take it back to that shop again.

Thanks

John

Answer
Hi John.
 Find a better shop.

Fuel in the system wouldn't cause the bike to miss only at low rpm.  Water in the system is not the problem.  It would cause the bike to die, since, as we all know, water is not combustable.

It sounds to me as if they botched the tune up in the first place and are now trying to cover it up to prevent having to redo it correctly for free.

 Chances are the valves are a little off or the carbs are not synched right or, and most likely, the timing is retarded just a little too far.

Have another, more reliable, shop look at the problem.  They will likely find the problem is one of those things that I mentioned and correct it.

Good luck.
FALCON