Today's challenge

[arcane12]

Starter clutch.

Wow, looked that up, seems real close to the mark. I hope not as it does not sounds cheap! (Best first post I have had yet!)

Blocked fuel vent line to tank.

Would not that cause issues with how it runs, and stop it from starting when warm?

Faulty wiring for the kill switch?

Again, if the kill switch was always on, it would not run full stop?

didn't count on me showing up, didya sunshine?

solenoidal. and plugs. and the fuct that it's a boulevard. and you're silly and neglected to service it.


what do i win?

I am not sure if I fully agree on the Boulevard thing, but the S40 is not really a bike for me. I am a bit tall for it for a start. But that is kinda off-topic. Um, I have had it 6 weeks or so (done around 2000kms), how often do you take yours in for a service? (oh and as I keep getting told, it's plug not plugs!)

faulty side stand switch

If it's in neutral it will start with the side stand down, and if the switch is on it acts like a kill switch and the engine does not turn at all.

Off topic: I'm amazed how few trolls I've had (one of the reasons I did not post for advice when it first started going wrong). It almost revives my faith in posting serious stuff on here again!

And I do care about the responses, I would like to know what I could have done wrong apart from just buying the bike to avoid future issues. I keep getting told 'Nah, you just have to check the fluid levels and get it serviced from time to time, it'll run good apart from that'.

[Banditbandit]

Does it have a choke? (Carbed model) Did you use it? That would mean it would be hard to start cold but OK when warm ..

[ducatilover]

Starter solenoid or broken down power/earth wires.

It also has a distinct lack of cylinders and engine-penis

[BigAl]

Broken power band.

[arcane12]

Broken power band.

I checked the yellow one, but it was ok. Perhaps it is the wrong colour. And I also checked my muffler bearing, and topped up the fluids in the headlight.



I have tried various levels of choke. It was my first thing - I thought maybe it was running too rich for it to start properly now the weather was warmer. I have pretty much ruled that one out. Also mostly ruled out the battery, as it is able to start it when warm no issues, even when the mechanic turned it off and started it again about a dozen times or so when I dropped it off.

Still waiting to hear, I guess I should not have mentioned I would not be coming in to pick it up until the weekend. (I get back from work too close to when they close to drop the car off and get there in time).

I'd better go order the prize so it will be ready for the winner!

[bogan]

Also mostly ruled out the battery, as it is able to start it when warm no issues, even when the mechanic turned it off and started it again about a dozen times or so when I dropped it off.

A warm starter motor has a higher resistance so the battery voltage doesn't sag as much. A warm engine is easier to turn over as well, and a warm engine is always easier to start. A 'warm' battery has a higher resting voltage. All that rules out is the battery isn't completely fucked, it could still be more than a little fucked.
The clicking indicates voltage sag at the solenoid, in my experience that's nearly always a battery fault, or sometimes a wiring fault.

[arcane12]

A warm starter motor has a higher resistance so the battery voltage doesn't sag as much. A warm engine is easier to turn over as well, and a warm engine is always easier to start. A 'warm' battery has a higher resting voltage. All that rules out is the battery isn't completely fucked, it could still be more than a little fucked.
The clicking indicates voltage sag at the solenoid, in my experience that's nearly always a battery fault, or sometimes a wiring fault.

Damn you and your convincing science! It's a 2007 bike, so if it's the original battery it could be end of life... This is fun!

--edit--

On further thought I believe your math is a little off. Higher resistance would mean less current can be delivered, therefore the starter would be worse off? However yes you are right, a warmer battery does work better.

A warm engine, and (possibly) a warm battery could mean less amperage is required to start, overcoming a poor connection, poor battery, etc.

[G4L4XY]

I have no f***ing idea

[Akzle]

it's plug not plugs!

f*ck me. it is too. a four stroke single.
how gay.

anyway, asides from your appalling taste in bikes:
you never said it was clicking when you tried cranking it.?

grab a jumper lead and take it from the positive batt terminal to the switch lead on the solenoid (usually the smallest of 3 connections). if it works - your wiring/switch is fucked somewhere along the way. grab your multimeter and get on the hunt.
if it doesn't: hook a good battery into the bike and try again.

replace the plug anyway.

[Tigadee]

...or loose terminal on the battery...

+1 Had this issue with my GSX750. Check the battery terminal connections.

[Edbear]

Did somebody mention a battery..?

[Road kill]

A warm starter motor has a higher resistance so the battery voltage doesn't sag as much. A warm engine is easier to turn over as well, and a warm engine is always easier to start. A 'warm' battery has a higher resting voltage. All that rules out is the battery isn't completely fucked, it could still be more than a little fucked.
The clicking indicates voltage sag at the solenoid, in my experience that's nearly always a battery fault, or sometimes a wiring fault.

And we have the real winner at last,,,clicking has always been battery when I've had it happen.

Mind you I have a real bike now so if I hear a click it's more likely to be my own knee

[arcane12]

A new click, that I was aware of, but had no idea about, is the click of the decompression valve opening. I thought someone might have tried that one! That was the one thing that was checked when I dropped it off, but it sounded like it was working well.

And yes, I mentioned clicking early on, mostly after at least the first turn of the engine. It was inconsistant, sometimes after one or two cranks, sometimes it would crank away merrily half a dozen times until I stopped (and no clicking). It has been more likely to click last few days.

[baffa]

I had this exact same problem with this exact same bike.
Ignore all the previous advice given to you, the bike has a faulty Flux Capacitor.

Can you still reach 88 miles per hour?

[ducatilover]

Did somebody mention a battery..?

I knew it! Ed's here!