Crosswind sensitive GPZ (sorry - long)

[Bob Sims]

> I could use some advice on this: Since the beginning of this 
> season my trusty old GPZ has become sensitive to gusty 
> crosswinds from the LEFT. 

Ped,

I've noticed a similar problem w/my GPZ before, but normally only in very
high winds (rare), and even then it was never enough to really bother me.

I've heard of this happening with other bikes as well, some worse than
others.  I think it may be the carb drain hoses that exit from the top of
the carbs, and route beside the airbox.  These hoses are clear on my bike,
and there is one per side.  The wind moving across the ends of one of these
hoses would create a vacuum within the carb bowls, momentarily starving the
engine.  If I remember, the hoses route between the airbox and the frame
tubes, so the tips are close to the sides of the bike (and the wind).  I
suppose you could try re-routing these hoses, or extending them, or covering
them with some type of breathable foam.

A friend of mine many years ago had a Honda Hawk NT650, and this same
problem would cut a lot of power to the bike when the wind angle was right.
Apparently, it was a "known problem" with the Hawks, and the fix was to trim
or re-route the carb drain hose so the tip wasn't exposed to the wind.

Keep us updated, and hope this helps.

Bob
www.twowheelsburning.com