motor dies ???

I have a 95 900 ss and for some odd reason it tends to bog out and die on the freeway mostly. I could be doing a consistent speed and all the sudden it starts loosing power and backfiring then dead. I can smell gas and when I completely shut it down for a minute it is back up and running ??? I am going to change spark plugs and clean air filter maybe replace jets??? any suggestions

I have no clue, but a few questions...
How long has this been going on?
Have you worked on the bike recently?
Check your fuel lines, any kinks or blockage there?
Whats your battery voltage looking like with the bike off/with the bike on?
How many miles are on the bike?

Like I said I have no clue, just looking for some basic info.

Sounds like its possibly a loose connection somewhere.. But I'm just guessing. I'd go thorugh and check all electrical terminals, check voltage readings, grounds etc.

I appreciate your help...the battery light does come on occasionally...I havent seen any kinked fuel lines yet. It has been going on and off for a week. I did have a problem about a month ago same thing bike dying. I noticed the vacuum lines coming out of the secondaries were cracked really bad, I replaced them and the problem seemed to go away until recently.

the bike has 34,000 on it and last weekend I replaced the rear tire, sprocket and chain.

I bought this bike 3 months ago and seem to be replacing the previous owners neglected maintenance. One of the filaments on the tail light burnt out so I started looking around back there and noticed the right turn signal was out as well, there is a loose ground wire that goes to the bulb?

Yikes. . If the battery light is coming on and off, thats one of two things.
Thing #1, regulator rectifier is possibly failing.
Thing #2, regulator rectifier isnt connected fully, loosly connected, or battery termninals are loose

My SS/CR's battery light came on and off like that, and then one day came on, stayed on, and left me stranded (luckily only 5 miles from home).

I'd check it out before taking it on any 500 mile rides...

EDIT

I've got some regulator testing info up here:
http://www.rebelpacket.net/mai....html

If the fuel tank vent hose gets pinched, it will cause it to die and then start up again after a few minutes. I also had the same symptoms when one of the wires to the fuel pump under the tank broke and only worked intermittently.
Joe

I am going to suggest connections at the regulator rectifier. If connections check out, its going bad. I thought mine was going bad. Went ahead and got an Electrex unit. When I went to swap it out, I realized it was a connection and not the unit. I went ahead and replaced it and kept the other as a spare

I'll suggest popping open the fuel tank when it starts to sputter. If it takes back off, your vent line check valve coming off the top of the tank is probably bad.

Thanks to everyone for the theory....it seems that I have some searching to do, I appreciate the direction. Does anyone know where to pickup a manual? i have ridden dirt bikes my entire life, this is my first street bike...I thought maintaining a dirt bike was a full time job. Maintaining a street bike is much more serious, I dont know if anyone lives in southern california but breaking down on the freeway is not a lot of fun. As far as the milage is concerned on my bike 34,000 what are some things I should do to prevent any other problems. And is this excessive milage for a '95?

Nope. My '95 SS/CR has 42K on it. You want to make sure valves are in spec. Valve stem seals probrobly need replacement too. If you want to get serious and take a look at the cylinder bores, it wouldnt be a bad idea.
I know a few people who have worn the nikasil coating off the cylinders around that mileage.

But thats just what I'd do. I like taking shit apart.

I heard that ... tear that thing apart and give it more power !! Unfortunatly it is my only form of transportation at this point. I am considering trading it in for a new 749. When I bought it I didnt want to make a huge investment...so I found an inexpencive Ducati and only Ducati...I love the Thumpers ! I paid $5k for it 3 months ago...with all the maintenance and fun stuff I have put into, it would have made more sense to buy a new one. Live and learn.

You will also want to check the belts and replace the fuel filter. Since it seems the previous owner neglected the bike a little.

Usually the belts should be replaced around everything 12k miles. Unless you have some maintenance records for the bike laying around, it would be cheap ($100+) insurance to replace the belts. Definitely replace the belts if the edges are wore or there are any tears.

The fuel filter should be replaced every 6k miles IIRC. Its a $15 part and if it gets clogged your bike maybe experience the synonyms you described. But it is probably one of the problems mentioned above.

As for manuals, check out LT Synder's desmodue book and the Haynes Manual. You can get both at Motowheels.
I believe LT synder has stopped printing his desmodue manual since it is listed as sold out on his site. But it looks like motowheels has 3 copies left. I would pick up both manuals. They each excel in different areas and really compliment each other.

I was just joking about buying the 749...