Dragster playing up.

[Bufficus]

After 5 miles of riding yesterday my Dragster started to lose power at full revs. I backed of and it was ok for a short distance. This happened several times and it eventually cut out. After coasting to the side of the road it would start again, but cut out again after a few hundred yards. By this time I was 15 miles from home so decided to stop and get it recovered.

My initial thoughts were that it was something electrical breaking down under load. But now I'm not sure.
After a quick inspection I noticed it had been leaking water from the head and the header tank was empty.
I was getting no warning lights, but I'm not even sure they work. (something else to check)

I'm going to drop the engine tomorrow because I want to replace a few things and inspect the top end.

Does anyone have any comments on possible causes?

[oldbiker]

my primmie had similar problems when first built, head gasket was not up to the job, this preasurised the system and I lost the coolent but did not notice untill must of the coolent was lost, I eventualy made my own head gaskets from modified honda gaskets, these had a steel inner seal, folded over some sort of fiber/paper mix. this solved the problem for me...hope you get yours sorted.

[Bufficus]

The top end is in mint condition after inspection, so I'll replace the rings while I'm in there.

After the belts are replaced I'll look further into the problem.

[lifes a drag]

header tanks are known to crack where the pipe fits
check your reeds as they can fray at the ends as mine did after less than 50 miles after replacing the old ones

[Andy Pickering]

Sounds like a blown head gasket simon ...had same symptons on a car..you might want to get the head checked for true..possible skim..

[Bufficus]

Thanks fellas. The thermostat was knackered as well. In the closed position.

New parts arriving from PSN tomorrow.

[twin]

take the thermostat out,and bin it,

[Bufficus]

take the thermostat out,and bin it,

Yeah, that's what PSN said. Done it.