Bike Gurgling Issue/Struggle

[Guest]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and have been riding for 2 years.

But my Suzuki Bandit 600n (1997 reg) has been suffering an issue, that I can't determine, nor can I find anyone else on any forums with the same issue. Perhaps they use better terminology? I'm quite a noob.

So, whenever it starts, there seems to be a sort of constant gurgling noise that accompanies the engine/exhaust noise. It sounds like a retarded harmony, and sounds like the bike is struggling to push itself. This has effected performance too, which on bad days seems to hinder its torque and I have to really step up the throttle to get the required speed. On the motorway at one point I seemed to be bogged down and limited to 80mph max.

Things I have done to try and solve the issue;

- Replaced all sparkplugs.

- Changed the fuel pipe (previous user installed a soft rubbery material which tended to fold quite easily, potentially jamming fuel flow).

- Took off and reinstalled exhaust to check for water build-up and ensure it was fitted on properly (I had purchased a Beowulf exhaust long before the problem).

- Checked and cleaned the carburetor. At one point the bike seemed to run smoothly, but only to replace it with another issue of leaking fuel. To mend this new issue, I replaced the needle (the spring under it wasn't functioning); this stopped the leak but presto, the gurgling issue was back again, with a few backfires to boot an the bike cutting off (unless its revved).

Now I know a big problem might be (which I don't want it to be) that the bike is only running on 3 cylinders. But I'm getting my bike back on the road after a year's SORN and need to get an MOT ASAP. So is there any other issue anyone might think it be? Am I missing something?

Cheers,

Douchebaguette

[Mr Fro]

When it's been running with the issue, are all the exhaust headers hot or is one a bit cooler than the others?

[Algray]

When it's been running with the issue, are all the exhaust headers hot or is one a bit cooler than the others?

 

I have a 98 bandit at the minute and the header pipes have two horizontal joining pipes between them so all the headers are all connected and all heat up pretty much the same. That's what I found when mine was only running on 3 cylinders

[eastanglianbiker]

personally i wouldnt try touching the headers with body skin because if the pipe is hot it might end up with skin stuck to it and that smells nasty as it burns off,i tend to use a fine spray of water as you can give each pipe an equal amount and see if it dissipates at the same rate