I finally got my bike all cleaned up, put back together, and bought a new battery a little over a month ago. I was very happy that my bike actually started. Twice I rode it around the neighborhood for 15-20 minutes, then I pulled the battery out. I tried to take it out again tonight and wasn't having any luck getting it started. I tried about 10 times, but big surprise, new battery and it just sat for a month. So finally I was about to pull it inside, and I gave it one last try and it actually turned over for a second. I gave it a second and tried again. Maybe about 5 times I tried, I got it to turn over, the engine fired up, and then it would die a second after I took my finger off the start button. Anyone know what causes this? It would start up fine with the choke all the way on, no throttle. If I tried to twist the throttle when I started it the engine wouldn't even start, and if I tried to twist the throttle right after it started to keep the rpms up, it would just die.
At first I thought it wasn't getting any gas, but I have clear fuel lines and they look to be full. Plus at one point I thought maybe I flooded the carbs trying to start it so many times, so I had put a little tube on the float bowl and drained them a bit, and all kinds of gas came out, they didn't stop until I screwed the screws back in, so no shortage of gas there. It just sucks that summer's over, and I haven't really even gotten to ride the thing. My motivation to actually pull the bike apart again is minimal.
Ran a month ago and now won't start? Sounds like old gas to me. I have that problem in the winter but never let it set a month in the summer. Trying to go but just can't make it. I just jump start from non running car, get a good connection and it really spins fast and has enough battery for a good spark too. If that does it get some fresh gas in it soon. Mine will restart all day after getting it started once on a cold winter morning.
Gas really goes bad after only a month? I guess I can give that a try. I think I'm going to go up to my parents this weekend. I'll ask my dad if I can borrow his battery tender for a week or two. If I charge my battery up and it's still giving me the same problem at least I'll know it's definitely not the battery.
I think harbor freight has their version of the battery tender on sale for $5 again this weekend.
Is it this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42292
yeah that's the one I have.
I assume it isn't as good as the name brand but it was too cheap to pass up.