Same thing here -- I took the seat off, to remove the strap, and when I did, two *different * types of spacers/washers fell off the bike, one from each side, and each different. I went to the Kaw site diagrams, and guess what? NONE of the seat stuff, and none of the fastener bits, etc. was on the diagram! I asked my Kaw mechanic about this, and he says "he's used to it" -- "just do some stuff by using general mechanical knowledge" -- "by guess and by gosh" is what they used to call that. Jeez.

 

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are that's funny right there.....wait would that really work?

 

BUMP...
As of 1/14/06 my carb is still icing on the wet roads. At the end of the day I went to the dealer to bitch and moan, and discuss other types of filters. I've been contemplating a K&N filter because they are easy to clean and they flow awesome. I'm just not sure how moisture resistant the oil is. Any way, after arguing with the dealer, who wants to road test, put on the scope and check for electrical shorts and whatever @ $90 per hour, the topic of oiling the filter came up. Now I don't have a lot of experience with a multitude of bikes, I've only been riding for 6 years, Kawi dual sport based, but I work on my own stuff and can fix about anything. So the dealer mentioned that he doesn't know how well the bikes are set up we they get them, what a comforting statement, and maybe they used a poor oil on the filter. Well that led to my next step. I bought some Bel-Ray Foam Filter Oil, removed my filter and saw a wet area at the lower third of the filter, but no oil residue on the inside of the filter. So it appears the setup guy just used a spray-on oil that did not penetrate the entire filter. I have saturated the filter with the Bel-Ray and hope that cures the moisture/icing issue. Any comments from you long time off roaders?

 

I'm just no help on this. Here in the Dallas area carb icing isn't a big issue. None of my Harley's ever had a problem. My Beemers were all fuelies, and my Triumphs have carb heaters.

Having said that, oiling the filter is a good idea and really should be done after any dusty ride and at least once a month.

Also, have you tried any fuel additives? Do those help?

 

Yup. dumpimg alcohol in it stops the problem, but it shouldn't be there to start with. Adding a blind amount every tank isn't my gig.

 

surely there is a fuel additive other than HEET (methyl alcohol) that would not only solve that problem but be good for the system as well??? I will have this problem and want a solution before i get the bike....32F-55F with rain and thick fog are a norm in my area (extreme northeast TN, elavation 4000feet), plus i live in a mini-rain forest.

 

I'd love to have some carb icing down here [:@] Going on 90 days without measurable precip here.