hey guys. I know that this topic im about to start has been discussed already but i'll try anyway. my bike wont start. Been riding for 3 years now and this is my first bike. But i've been reading a lot of gstwins topics regarding general knowledge, do's and donts etc, etc. anyway yesterday i started the bike to ride it outside my garage to wash. it started normally no probs like it usually does. turned it off and started to rinse the bike prior to washing. when i poured the water to the front area, a light smoke raised from the left bottom side coming from possibly the headers area beneath the handlebars. Intrigued but not worried. when i finished washing. i tried starting it again to ride it back into the garage but it wouldnt start as if there was no battery installed at all. The starter motor wasnt kicking, sidestep raised, clutch pulled in and first gear engaged as i usually start with both breaks covered. But nothing. no kick no life from the the starter motor.but oil light was on break and headlight was on. It wouldnt be the battery becuase ive just purchased a new battery 3 months ago. i Hve no idea whats wrong with it but when i rode it out of the garage, i heard a weird noise that sounded like a loose nut inside the engine. I've seen some topics regarding battery and clutch so i think it is safe to clear battery. Next i tried to check the clutch play and it seemed ok. i've seen the topic regarding adjusting the clutch and oiling/cleaning the the front sprockets, but i soon as i loosened the first screw of the engine side panel, it started bleeding oil. i then decided not to continue as i am aware of my limitations and dont want to do anymore damage, remembering if you dont know, dont touch rule. I now im a noob but is this normal or is there something wrong with the engine? would oil be on the left (sprocket/clutch) side? Please help as i dont want to spend an $80 per hour mechanic visit. is there something i might have overlooked or is there really something wrong with my baby

Others can say way more about the engine etc... than I can, but I have to wonder if you didn't get some water in something electrical.  Off the top of my head, I'm thinking about the sidestand switch.  When you first turn the key to ON (with bike in gear and sidestand up), can you hear a soft click sound from the sidestand relay located on the right side up by the seat?

Check the kill switch.
Check the sidestand switch (Just because the stand it up, doesnt mean the switch works. Temporarily bypass it if you have to)
Clutch switch (Same again, bypass it if you have to to check)
Could be water in the handlebar switchgear - shorting out the switches. - Open and clean/spray with WD40.
Oh, and PARAGRAPHS, please!
Also, make sure its in neutral when you try to start it. It will start in gear, but if you bypass the clutch switch and start in gear... well, i hope you cover the brakes.

If all of that fails, check for a short circuit or broken wire or something. Smarter people than me will be more helpful..

See if it'll start in neutral with the clutch pulled. If it starts, you've got a bad sidestand switch.

Just to add to what vinny said, as a general rule be careful about by-passing components.  If the component happens to be the only source of electrical resistance in that part of the circuit, you'll probably blow the main fuse, in the best case scenario.  Neither the clutch switch nor the sidestand switch are the only parts of their circuits, but again, just as a general rule...

Personally, I prefer to go after electrical problems with a multimeter before I start by-passing things.  It just seems safer to me.

Quote from: RossLH on August 17, 2012, 06:58:24 AM
See if it'll start in neutral with the clutch pulled. If it starts, you've got a bad sidestand switch.

This was my initial thought after reading the OP, too. That, or maybe you have a loose/bad connection at the battery. It was replaced only a few months ago. Does the headlight turn on when you turn ignition on? Could also be a bum battery, even though it's only a few months old.

Hey guys..thanks so much for the replies (and apologies for non existent paragraphs as i im only typing all these with my trusty smartphone..

I've tried starting it with both gear engaged and not engaged plus clutch pulled in and not and anywhere along those combinations with sidestep up and killswitch lubed. I've tried disconnecting the battery (even cleaning the conductors and disconnecting any add ons that might be using the battery e.g HID conversion unit, alarm system and just have the bike connected  to the battery itself as i had the same issue before with battery being not connected properly) but still, no clicking noise, no starting motor trying to churn, no life. As if there was no battery connected at all, and yes  headlight worked, brakes and turn signals were on prior to disconnection.

Regarding over riding switches, is there a walkthrough on how to do? As my knowledge is limited that i might do more harm than good

Two things comes to mind right now: blown up fuses due to water or stuffed up sidestand kill switch...Unfortunately im not very familiar with clutch switch..im about to check my bike right now
Thanks so so much guys for being helpful..i really do appreciate all this..will keep you guys posted of progress if there would be any.

Test the battery. Might have enough juice to run the electronics, but not enough to kick the starter on.

My friends katana had a similar problem. He started it then shut it off, then tried to turn it back on and got nothing at all from the starter, his problem was with the clutch.

Hey guys...i've just check my bike and found the problem..clutch switch. The wire socket came off the pins hehe ahhh the joy of being a noob  . And it was no excuse hehe. But i've learned something new today: knowing that there are still good people willing to help out there..thank uou so so much guys. I've just discovered a new family. Beautiful day outside and now might go for a ride. Keep safe all of you good people..

Free and easy fixes are the best fixes! Glad you got it figured out.

Glad it was that easy!

Ride safe.

@Rh yeah me too..not really keen on spending an $80 plus $70 pick up for something stupid like a socket coming off it's pins..but a clicking noise in the engine is what's worrying me though  might have to spend that money after all.
The clicking noise appears taking of or bottom ranges between 1000-4000rpms of first, secon and third gears especially 1st gear at take off then reappears at 2nd and 3rd and occassional in cruising speeds..bit for now we live to fight another day...