Bump/crash starting, can it hurt my bike?

**awayatc** · 23rd May 2011, 05:04

has it got tricks like....
Need to be on sidestand to be able to start?
or
Need to pull in clutch to be able to start?
If so then check the wiring from there...
(if those switches/cables earth it won't start...)

**Katman** · 23rd May 2011, 09:15

Quite possibly just dirty starter button contacts.

**Beren** · 23rd May 2011, 16:28

Hi, just out of interest - is bump starting a bike the same as a car? Put in in 2nd or 3rd get it rolling and drop the clutch? Or is there more of a technique to it than that?

**slofox** · 23rd May 2011, 16:55

I hurt a bike bump starting it once (many years ago now). When I went to jump on it as I dropped the clutch, I dropped the whole bike instead...Hurt me arse as well actually when I landed on the kick start lever...

**unstuck** · 23rd May 2011, 16:56

**slofox** · 23rd May 2011, 17:03

Odd. I always ran along beside the bike...

**fliplid** · 23rd May 2011, 18:20

Always worth checking to see if the battery connections are nicely done up. Spent ages a long while ago trying to start me old bike- everything lit up nicely, even just about clicked the starter solenoid. Just not enough juice going through to turn the engine over to fire...

**Madness** · 23rd May 2011, 18:52

I had a dead battery once in my old ZZR1100. Crash starting one of those on flat ground is fantastic exercise, as I learnt.

**MotoKuzzi** · 23rd May 2011, 20:02

I reckon I damaged the clutch on my California bump starting it and I only did it once, dry clutch though.

**matdaymon** · 23rd May 2011, 20:24

I seriously doubt its the battery. It started up fine on Saturday before I went to Waiuku, has given no signs that it might be going flat. All terminals are tight so that rules that out. Only thing out of the usual was the rain on saturday before I got to the beach, but then I ride in all weathers no matter what.
I have full power to my lights (nice and blinding to look at directly) but get absolutely nothing when I push the button. Later in the week will take it to the dealership/cycletreads and see if they can shed any light on the situation.

Glad to know that I wont be wrecking my bike bump starting it (unless I fall over while pushing it)

**FJRider** · 23rd May 2011, 20:30

Originally Posted by matdaymon

... but get absolutely nothing when I push the button. Later in the week will take it to the dealership/cycletreads and see if they can shed any light on the situation.

Undo the screws holding the RH bar controls together and check the "button" for shit/water between the contact points ... I've had issues in the past with some bikes I've owned ...

**slofox** · 24th May 2011, 15:21

Originally Posted by Madness

I had a dead battery once in my old ZZR1100. Crash starting one of those on flat ground is fantastic exercise, as I learnt.

I spent many an hour pushing bloody "sprint" bikes round and round the pits at Ruapuna many years ago. Trying to get the fuckers to start. Usually methanol fuelled with excessively high compression ratios...used to go black in the face after ten minutes of that lark...

**Sable** · 24th May 2011, 15:43

You've all omitted to mention the starter solenoid..

**matdaymon** · 27th May 2011, 14:38

It turned out to be the start button, more to the point the contact points on the starter button were corroded and not conducting. Bit of a scrape and hey presto, she starts!

Cheers to the lads at cycletreads for tinkering with my bike for 15mins to find out what was wrong

**Katman** · 27th May 2011, 15:05

Originally Posted by matdaymon

It turned out to be the start button, more to the point the contact points on the starter button were corroded and not conducting. Bit of a scrape and hey presto, she starts!

Damn, why didn't I think of that?