I took the MV to work this morning, since the traffic was light. I got on the freeway, shifted into 6th gear and the MV gradually felt like it was loosing power and becoming very sluggish. It came to the power where I was opening the throttle ˝ to maintain my speed and I could start to hear a high pitch whining noise, which was becoming louder. It sounded like the whine of a turbo or supercharger.

My thought were it may have been the fuel injection or maybe by rear break was sticking. It was coming to the point where I had planned on pulling over at the next exit. I then had the chance to stab the rear brakes a few times and changed gears a few time as well. Shorlty after that, the power seemed normal again. However, I don't know if what I did have an affect on the power loss. It could have been....something?

Has anyone hear of any incidents where the rear brake was stuck? The high pitch whine really sound like it was from the fuel system…but then after that fuel leak I experienced a few months ago, I’m a bit paranoid.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), December 18, 2002

Answers

If it was the rear brake i think you should be able to tell by looking at it- I would expect there to be some heat discolouring,My dealer told me they do stick and he recomended increasing the clearance between the pins that hold the rear pads in and the pads themselves,he reckoned they are too tight and bind which would hold the pads onto the disc

-- Mike Tilston (mike@tilston00.fsnet.co.uk), December 18, 2002.

I check and there appears to be no discoloration. During the ride home the MV seemed normal.

Here are a few thought to what may have caused it:

1) I washed the bike a few days ago. Althought I dried most of the bike and started the engine, I did not drive it. When I moved the bike this morning a heard a "tock" sound coming from the front brake. I get the same sound if I wash my car and let it sit for a day.

2) I recently deceased the amount of free play in the throttle.

3) Bad gas? The bike not me.

4) Maybe it was a "mental slow" down and not a mechanical slow down?

As a precaution, I throughly lubed the chain and put some free play back in the throttle. I'll probably use the MV again tomorrow to see if it happens again. Right now, it's too early to bring to the dealer.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), December 18, 2002.

Oh! I also forgot to mention. On my old 2000 MV, I had a similar experience. After riding for about 10-15 minutes on the freeway (about 80mph), I hear a loud "TOCK!!" follow by a jerking motion. Immediately after that, the MV picked up speed. It was as if the rear brake was stuck and suddenly released. Shortly after that incident, the MV was totaled by an SUV.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (agibbs996@aol.com), December 18, 2002.

Greetings Allan- I envy you. Ridding your F4 to work in the middle of winter! Living here in Washington, I just hope that some day the temperature gets above freezing and the rain stops long enough to take a buzz around the neighborhood, let alone to work. Allan, I am truley MV-ous.

-- Tim W (provamo35@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002.

What a minute. Is there snow on the ground? If not, why aren't you riding. After all, isn't freezing rain is just like taking a cold shower. :)

Actually, this is pay back for the five months of the year when the temperature is above 100 degrees!!!

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Arizona) (Agibbs996@aol.com), December 20, 2002.

Here is a pic from my cold trip up to Mt. Rainier last spring. Remember this on one of those 100 degree days. Perhaps it will keep you cool :-) http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/inbox/view.html? id=4243174159&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagestation.com%2Fpicture% 2Fsraid43%2Fpc3d956c5d5554a606c9cdf69c8044da6% 2Ffce9b30f.jpg&caption=tim-mv5-6-01a

-- Tim W (provamo35@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002.

Sorry Allan, One more time http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/pc3d956c5d5554a606c9cdf69c 8044da6/fce9b30f.jpg.orig.jpg

-- Tim Willard (provamo35@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/pc3d956c5d5554a606c9cdf69c 8044da6/fce9b30f.jpg.orig.jpg perhaps I should stop. sorry :(

-- Tim W (provamo35@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002.