Yet another bike won't start thread! :D

tussey · January 17, 2006, 10:33:58 AM

Bike won't start here is the data so far.

-Not dead battery (it's brand new)
-Engine DOES turnover but won't "catch" (for lack of better words)
-Popping the clutch DOES start the bike until recently
-Last time I popped the clutch the bike kept choking and the engine wouldn't rev even though I had it at full throttle. Eventually the engine caught and rev'd up but not after straining to turn over for about 10 seconds.nd rev'd up
-Bike operates normally once it's started.

Any ideas? I'm a newbie at bike but I suspoect fuel pumps (do bikes even have those?) or ignition coil. Would like input please. Thanks.

***UPDATED 1.19.05***

So I did another test. I read the voltmeter as the bike started. Interesting results. So I tap the battery. Initial Charge is 12.5v. I start the bike it drops to 10v and starts right up. I turn it off and try it again. Again it starts up, with a few cranks this time. Third time it won't start. Battery is down to 4v while trying to turn over the engine. I stop wait. The battery rises to 10.25v. Won't go higher than that. Again I try and it won't start. Drops to 4v again. At 4v it wouldn't even turn the enigne, just click. At 6v it would turn over a few times before dying.

So I guess it IS the battery, which I just bought

So buying another question is out of the question. I suppose I'll buy a battery tender. But I mean is this normal? Do all bikes require a tender? Why does mine?
Thanks.

scratch · January 17, 2006, 10:48:23 AM

Just because it's brand new doesn't mean that it might not be a manufacturer defect. Most batteries have to be charged before put into use, adding electolyte isn't enough. Was the battery charged before you put it in the bike?
Spark plugs - How old and what color?
Are the wires to the coils connected and in good condition? Are the ends rusty?
Do the sparkplugs give a good spark?

No fuel pump on our bikes, but we do have two ignition coils that are located under the tank on the inside of the main frame rails.

Jake D · January 17, 2006, 10:49:40 AM

It isn't the fuel pump. I am certain. I am pretty sure the GS uses gravity to feed the carbs and vacum (depending if the petcock is on pri or on).

A little more info on the bike.

What year?
Has it sat for long time?
Have you tried cleaning the carbs?
Have you tried cleanign the crabs?

And just because the battery is new doesn't mean that it is fully charged. Maybe get a trickle charger and set the battery on it for a while. Most new batteries aren't charged at all.

If I had to grab an answer out of the air, I would say ask Srinath.

NightRyder · January 17, 2006, 11:09:45 AM

"-Last time I popped the clutch the bike kept choking and the engine wouldn't rev even though I had it at full throttle. Eventually the engine caught and rev'd up but not after straining to turn over for about 10 seconds.nd rev'd up"

Not that I'm an expert, but this sounds like it has way too rich of a mix. Though, you can't be helping by holding it in WOT.

tussey · January 17, 2006, 11:55:27 AM

Quote from: Jake D on January 17, 2006, 10:49:40 AM
It isn't the fuel pump. I am certain. I am pretty sure the GS uses gravity to feed the carbs and vacum (depending if the petcock is on pri or on).

A little more info on the bike.

What year?
Has it sat for long time?
Have you tried cleaning the carbs?
Have you tried cleanign the crabs?

And just because the battery is new doesn't mean that it is fully charged. Maybe get a trickle charger and set the battery on it for a while. Most new batteries aren't charged at all.

If I had to grab an answer out of the air, I would say ask Srinath.

It's a used 89. Has not sat for a long time. Oddly enough if started everyday it seems to work, give it a few days and it won't start. Yes the battery was charged when I bought it and it stil lis charged. I've tested it with a voltmeter.

No I haven't cleaned the carbs.
No I haven't cleaned the carbs.

I'll search the site for cleaning carbs as I'm sure there is a DIY. Also know I've only owned the bike a few months and it's my first bike so I don't really know what carbs are but I'll go read up on it.

Jake D · January 17, 2006, 12:15:05 PM

Yeah, this site can help you learn what carbs are and how to clean them. And if you're cleaning them, you will probably be able to re-jet them on your own some day!

That probably just blew your mind.

I still say your battery isn't fully charged. But I'm nuts.

tussey · January 17, 2006, 01:12:23 PM

Quote from: Jake D on January 17, 2006, 12:15:05 PM
Yeah, this site can help you learn what carbs are and how to clean them. And if you're cleaning them, you will probably be able to re-jet them on your own some day!

That probably just blew your mind.

I still say your battery isn't fully charged. But I'm nuts.

Nah didn't blow my mind. I do most my own car work.

NightRyder · January 17, 2006, 04:43:53 PM

If it works everyday but not every few days, then either the battery or its flooding or something else

. I vote for the battery too. Next time it doesn't work pop it on a charger for about an hour or so, maybe 30 mins, and see if that does it. Mine can't sit about a week before it needs help. (it has some crappy old battery though). Maybe you have an electrical leak somewhere. A voltmeter won't tell you if it has enough power to start correctly. To start it needs that power for an extended time. (ie. under load the battery needs to provide that power, not when it's just sitting fat and happy)

tussey · January 17, 2006, 09:33:55 PM

Quote from: NightRyder on January 17, 2006, 04:43:53 PM
If it works everyday but not every few days, then either the battery or its flooding or something else . I vote for the battery too. Next time it doesn't work pop it on a charger for about an hour or so, maybe 30 mins, and see if that does it. Mine can't sit about a week before it needs help. (it has some crappy old battery though). Maybe you have an electrical leak somewhere. A voltmeter won't tell you if it has enough power to start correctly. To start it needs that power for an extended time. (ie. under load the battery needs to provide that power, not when it's just sitting fat and happy)

where can I get a battery charger? walmart? and can I plug it into an extension cord b/c I don't have a garage so it will have ti be charged about 20 feet from my house.

bigdaub · January 18, 2006, 12:12:39 AM

you can pick up a charger at your local motorcycle dealer. you may also want to check online if you can wait in exchange for a few bucks saved.

NightRyder · January 18, 2006, 08:22:28 AM

battery charger.. anywhere. Walmart: yes. Extension cord: yes.

Just know: if it is a charger, you will/can over charge the battery, so watch the readout. If it is a tender, it will charge and maintain the power, so you can leave it on there forever. I would pick up the cheapest one I could find; but thats just me.

scratch · January 18, 2006, 10:49:39 AM

Battery Tender Jr. is what I would suggest. But, if you buy any other kind of charger, make sure it has a 2amp (@12v) setting. Automatic shut off is nice.

tussey · January 19, 2006, 09:21:55 AM

Quote from: scratch on January 18, 2006, 10:49:39 AM
Battery Tender Jr. is what I would suggest. But, if you buy any other kind of charger, make sure it has a 2amp (@12v) setting. Automatic shut off is nice.

Umm....so if it IS this then what? I have to constantly charge my back when not in use? I certainly hope not as my parking spot is about 50 feet and I can't constantly charge it every day.

NightRyder · January 19, 2006, 09:40:28 AM

No, if it turns out that charging the battery helps, either get a new battery or charge it up and then you should be good. (if not you may have a power leak)

Maybe it just needs a normal tune-up. Clean sparkplugs, clean carbs, etc.

scratch · January 19, 2006, 10:51:46 AM

What about bringing the battery inside and charging it overnight, or over the weekend when it's not in use?

tussey · January 19, 2006, 02:59:30 PM

Quote from: NightRyder on January 17, 2006, 04:43:53 PM
If it works everyday but not every few days, then either the battery or its flooding or something else . I vote for the battery too. Next time it doesn't work pop it on a charger for about an hour or so, maybe 30 mins, and see if that does it. Mine can't sit about a week before it needs help. (it has some crappy old battery though). Maybe you have an electrical leak somewhere. A voltmeter won't tell you if it has enough power to start correctly. To start it needs that power for an extended time. (ie. under load the battery needs to provide that power, not when it's just sitting fat and happy)

Good suggestion. So I did another test. I read the voltmeter as the bike started. Interesting results. So I tap the battery. Initial Charge is 12.5v. I start the bike it drops to 10v and starts right up. I turn it off and try it again. Again it starts up, with a few cranks this time. Third time it won't start. Battery is down to 4v while trying to turn over the engine. I stop wait. The battery rises to 10.25v. Won't go higher than that. Again I try and it won't start. Drops to 4v again. At 4v it wouldn't even turn the enigne, just click. At 6v it would turn over a few times before dying.

So I guess it IS the battery, which I just bought

So buying another question is out of the question. I suppose I'll buy a battery tender. But I mean is this normal? Do all bikes require a tender? Why does mine?
Thanks.

makenzie71 · January 19, 2006, 05:23:46 PM

bikes require routine operation, not bettery tenders. A lack of routine operation requires a battery tender.

Most batteries have warrenties. I'd take yours back, get a fresh one and get a tender if you're not running her at least every 2~3 days.

tussey · January 19, 2006, 06:17:01 PM

Quote from: makenzie71 on January 19, 2006, 05:23:46 PM
bikes require routine operation, not bettery tenders. A lack of routine operation requires a battery tender.

Most batteries have warrenties. I'd take yours back, get a fresh one and get a tender if you're not running her at least every 2~3 days.

Strange thing is I ride every day.

makenzie71 · January 19, 2006, 06:34:46 PM

tender isn't your problem, then.

...short of time, I'll come back to this in an hour or so.

makenzie71 · January 19, 2006, 07:37:43 PM

What kind of amperage are you seeing with the bike running? Since you're saying that battery is progressively wearing down weather it's run regularly or not it leads me to believe your's is one of two problems: either the battery's cells are fouled and not absorbing propper charge, or your bike's charging system is not producing adequate enough current to maintain the battery.

News:

Yet another bike won't start thread! :D