Suzuki GN250E Mystery

**Matariki** · 26th April 2010, 07:42

Hi guys,

Recently I have been having a problem with getting my little Suzuki GN to start. My dad thought It was a problem with the battery, we charged it up using the van.
My dad asked my to start the motorcycle, I turned it on but It still wouldn't go. I made sure that the kill switch was off, I pulled the choke, pushed on the eletric start button and turned the throttle, the engine made the usual sound it makes but then It died, I tried several times to get it going without luck.
My dad asked me if the spark plug was in, he had a look and it all seemed ok, (I don't even know where the spark plug is on my motorcycle)

Note: I did give my motorcycle a wash about a week ago (I don't know if this had any effect on the motorcycle) but the engine went started smoothly after I left the gears to dry for a few hours in the shade.

Any idea's on what the problem might be?

**Mom** · 26th April 2010, 08:35

Just one little thing, if you have the choke out do not use throttle as well. You will likely flood it if you do that.

**CookMySock** · 26th April 2010, 10:55

Sounds like the battery is stuffed. Try connecting to the van again and try to start it.

It's really important not to run the van engine while the bike is connected to it, or else you will damage the bike regulator.

Steve

**Mully** · 26th April 2010, 13:50

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

It's really important not to run the van engine while the bike is connected to it, or else you will damage the bike regulator.

Really??

Shit.

**davebullet** · 26th April 2010, 14:16

Is is firing (you'll hear it crank quicker as the motor is trying to start), or just turning over without any ignition? (useful to determine whether a fueling or electrical problem. Of course just cranking could be fueling AND electrical problems combined - but unusal for both to fail at the same time)

When did you last start it / run it and what happened when you finished? (could be water has got into the electrics stopping it from firing)

Have you let the tank run completely empty / out of fuel? - could be a blocked fuel filter (if there was any rust / gunge in the tank). I'm not sure how you check a carburettor bike for fuel flow.

You could remove the spark plug and whilst still on the lead, ground the tip to the engine and watch for a spark? It's still safe to do that, right people?

**Matariki** · 26th April 2010, 14:18

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Sounds like the battery is stuffed. Try connecting to the van again and try to start it.

It's really important not to run the van engine while the bike is connected to it, or else you will damage the bike regulator.

Steve

Thanks for that peice of information.
Iv'e charged up the battery twice though with the van's engine running.

I really hope I haven't stuffed the battery.

**CookMySock** · 26th April 2010, 14:27

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

Iv'e charged up the battery twice though with the van's engine running.

I really hope I haven't stuffed the battery.

It won't hurt the bike battery, but it has the potential to damage the bikes' regulator/rectifier unit (little finned square silver or black thing with wires coming out of it.)

There's not much you can do to hurt the battery.

Try connecting the bike to the van (without starting the van) and then try starting the bike. If it starts perfectly well, then leave the bike running and disconnect the van - the bike should stay running. Stop the bike engine and try restart it - if it doesnt start then the battery is almost certainly completely flat or else it's stuffed - take it to the bike shop and ask if they can test it for you. If you or a mate has a little battery charger then charge it fully overnight and then see if it will start the bike - if not, then new battery time. Cheapest will be repco or supercheap.

Steve

**Matariki** · 26th April 2010, 14:32

When I tried this morning, the brake lights were going and so were the main lights. However the battery failed to start the engine.
I talked to my father just before but he's not 100% sure if its the battery, thats the problem. Any other idea's on what It could be?

**Matariki** · 26th April 2010, 14:43

Originally Posted by davebullet

Is is firing (you'll hear it crank quicker as the motor is trying to start), or just turning over without any ignition? (useful to determine whether a fueling or electrical problem. Of course just cranking could be fueling AND electrical problems combined - but unusal for both to fail at the same time)

The engine is making noise when I use the electric start and throttle, but its failing to start. I'm not what sure what you would call that in motorcycle terms. But I think's its the second on the list.

Originally Posted by davebullet

When did you last start it / run it and what happened when you finished? (could be water has got into the electrics stopping it from firing)

I drove it last week after cleaning it. The engine started up smoothly. I left the electrics and the gears to air dry for a few hours before driving back into the garage.

Originally Posted by davebullet

Have you let the tank run completely empty / out of fuel? - could be a blocked fuel filter (if there was any rust / gunge in the tank). I'm not sure how you check a carburettor bike for fuel flow.

The tank has never been emptied since I have had it (about four months now), I have always refilled it up before it ran out of gas.

Originally Posted by davebullet

You could remove the spark plug and whilst still on the lead, ground the tip to the engine and watch for a spark? It's still safe to do that, right people?

Like I said before, I'm not 100% sure where the spark plug is on my motorcycle or where you would generally find one on a motorcycle (yes, I am a newb)

**Matariki** · 26th April 2010, 14:53

Originally Posted by Mom

Just one little thing, if you have the choke out do not use throttle as well. You will likely flood it if you do that.

LOL!

I went out before to see If that were the problem, turns out that this was the case, thank god it wasn't the battery.

I'm leaving it to run anyway to get some more life into the battery since I haven't ridden it for a while.

The case of the Suzuki GN250E Mystery is now closed.

**Mom** · 26th April 2010, 16:05

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

LOL!

I went out before to see If that were the problem, turns out that this was the case, thank god it wasn't the battery.

I'm leaving it to run anyway to get some more life into the battery since I haven't ridden it for a while.

The case of the Suzuki GN250E Mystery is now closed.

HI FIVE!

Tricky things these motorbikes sometimes