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Won't start

derek kelly

The Deli lama
Club Sponsor
Started first time as always this morning when I set off for work.
12 hours later she won't start, took me three attempts to bump start her, got home, switched off, waited a few secs & tried to start her, makes the right noises but just not firing up.
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
Why were you having to bump her, Derek?

Was the battery flat? :dunno:
 

derek kelly

The Deli lama
Club Sponsor
The engine was turning over but eventually the power started draining, that's when I bumped it, go home & there appeared to be enough power in the battery to turn the engine but just wouldn't start.
 

derek kelly

The Deli lama
Club Sponsor
Just had another go, started first time but sounds a bit ropey, I'm wondering if it's dodgy petrol, there are rumours that the garage I use waters his fuel down.
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
Just had another go, started first time but sounds a bit ropey, I'm wondering if it's dodgy petrol, there are rumours that the garage I use waters his fuel down.

It is impossible to "water petrol down", Derek. Oil and water do not mix. Light aircraft have a small outlet at the bottom of the fuel tank to drain a little out to ensure there is no water in the tank. Water is heavier and sinks to the bottom.

Stick a meter across the battery with the engine stopped and running and see what voltage you get. If it bump started but would not start on the battery then the first guess would be a poor battery state. How old is the battery? :cry:
 

derek kelly

The Deli lama
Club Sponsor
It is impossible to "water petrol down", Derek. Oil and water do not mix. Light aircraft have a small outlet at the bottom of the fuel tank to drain a little out to ensure there is no water in the tank. Water is heavier and sinks to the bottom.

Stick a meter across the battery with the engine stopped and running and see what voltage you get. If it bump started but would not start on the battery then the first guess would be a poor battery state. How old is the battery? :cry:

Unsure of battery age, I could stick the battery on charge overnight & see if that works but I'm thinking the battery's not the problem as the bike lights up like a Christmas tree & the engine turns over & as I say it started up ten minutes ago.
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
So why did it start on the bump but not on the battery? :-0)

PS 90% of all bike starting problems are electrical.
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
If you have a meter then check the battery engine off and running.

If you do not have a meter and you need the bike for work in the morning then stick the battery on charge tonight and buy a meter tomorrow. :-0)
 

derek kelly

The Deli lama
Club Sponsor
Connected the charger & straight away it registered as 80% charged which is the highest indicated reading on the charger.
I don't have a meter as I blew my last one up :whi5tl:
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
Hmmmmmmm.

See what happens in the morning. Have your running shoes ready! 8rfl@
 

noobie

Clueless in most things
You haven't done something near the earth strap from the battery have you Derek or loosened it in some way?
 

ianrobbo1

good looking AND modest
Sounds like a bad earth, perhaps a "tighten untighten" of the earth leads might help, also make sure all the connector blocks are connected, :dunno: and a short wait for "the" question we all love to ask!! :eek:
 

CBRDEAN0

Registered User
As it bump starts and runs but sometimes won't start on the button

Take a look at the starter solenoid on the side of the battery.

Some BB's have had them partially melt giving intermittent starting.
 

slim63

Never surrender
Club Sponsor
My first guess would be the battery being on its way out, plenty of volts to light everything up does not mean there are plenty of amps to turn it over quickly & CCA is what you need on start up
 

andyBeaker

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Why is this a long conversation?..................

- check the charging circuit
- what year Bird?..........loom fix


Then go in other directions........although I do agree for the time it takes make a quick visual of the stater solenoid as you will soon see if it is cooked....
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
As it bump starts and runs but sometimes won't start on the button

Take a look at the starter solenoid on the side of the battery.

Some BB's have had them partially melt giving intermittent starting.

Usually intermittent turning over rather than intermittent starting as such, Deano? :-0) The dreaded click! 8rfl@8rfl@
 

Centaur

Site Pedant
Club Sponsor
Why is this a long conversation?..................

- check the charging circuit
- what year Bird?..........loom fix


Then go in other directions........although I do agree for the time it takes make a quick visual of the stater solenoid as you will soon see if it is cooked....

Because Derek wouldn't answer the question, Andy! 8rfl@
 
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