Starting to get worried... starting trouble

[mister]

RSK70,

When you put it on Prime before starting, leave it on prime for a couple of attempts before putting it back to On - assuming the bike's been sitting a week or so.

Question: I know you said it has been on a Tender... is this in a sealed garage or under a drafty carport?

A dimmed headlight after 30 minutes of trying to start is to be expected. Bike's don't have Big batteries and will drain fast.

You can pull the plugs if you like, just to see what they are like. This chart might help tell you something about them...



Clunky Gear Changes "could" be a gear thing. But with so little distance on the bike I don't think the Gears are messed up. I'd think the oil. I know you said it was done Before you bought it. And maybe it even really was. And maybe it was even done with something proper. But you just don't know for sure, do you? You've only got the owners Word - and he was interested in selling the bike and will say whatever needs to be said to do so. So if you have the aptitude...

Change the oil. There is a LOT of debate about oils. From normal car oil from Wally World to motorcycle oil. All I can do is tell you... my local Suzuki Store uses Motul 5100 oil, my non-store mechanic uses Motul 5100 and I use it. When I switched I noticed Smoother gear changes and no false neutrals.

And once you've pulled the plugs, might as well change them too. They're not pricey. And this way you'll know both were done and you'll know how fresh the oil Really is and what Type is in the bike.

While you're at it... your homework is increasing... take a photo of your rear sprocket/chain and post it up so we can see if they're ok.

Michael

[adidasguy]

I hope it isn't the starter, that just sounds expensive. As far as sounds go its a little something like this:
First try, imagine your finger slipped off the starter button before it fully kicked in (basically normal but then engine doesn't turn over). The light does start to flicker. After a few attempts, instead of maybe 3 ::insert engine noise here:: only 1 will make it before it just stops. I haven't heard grinding or clicking so much but the light definitely flickers. After a couple attempts at a stand still, pushing the starter button has no effect.. literally no noise or vibration from the engine (pretty sure this is because I drained the battery. Don't know what normal is but would a fully charged battery drain in 45 minutes if you essentially left the lights on and such?). However if I try push starting then I get that normal engine just before it turns over sound with it not turning over unless it is really pushed. I've tried starting at a stand still in both N and 1st.. no luck. Clutch always pulled in (unless I'm dumping it for the push) and side stand up.

Based on this, it s an electrical and starter issue. If it won't turn over then the starter motor or starter relay or battery or wiring is a problem. I don't think there is any need to do anything with spark plugs or carbs until you can get the starter to turn the engine. Then, if after 2o seconds or so of the engine turning and she won't run, it would be time to look further. Since you do say it runs OK if push started, fix the starter first.

Here's a high end meter. Does everything. You can get a good one for $20 or so. You really can't live without a good multi-meter. Use it around the house or in the car, too.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh8/R-100671269/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[RSK70]

What a day..

First, thank you all for the additional comments and suggestions. I used the multimeter my buddy dropped off and found the battery checked out. However, when I checked the connections to the turn signals and such, some of them had begun to wear down. I had some electrical tape and did a little work after disconnecting the battery. I am going to fix up the connections throughout the week. Anyway, after checking the battery out, I gave starting another shot after priming for a minute and IT WORKED!! The gear still stuck a bit but wasn't as bad as last weekend. The carbs still almost certainly need to get cleaned out, but at least I can get her running. It was pretty brutal doing highway speed with summer gloves on so may have another weekend left in the season. Afterward, I think I'll start to open her up and can guarantee I'll be back here for more advice. I don't know if I got lucky today or the connections were no good. I'll update later this week.