My bike won't start :(

**Magua** · 25th December 2003, 12:58

I went to start my bike yesterday morning, held down the button and it wouldn't start! I heard all the usual noises but nothing. Being new to biking I'm at a loss at what's wrong. A friend should be coming over in a couple of days to take a look thinking it could be the battery, though I was really hoping to have it going by tommorow.

Are there like common causes of this? anything I can do?
Some help please.

**James Deuce** · 25th December 2003, 13:35

I get the feeling you've either knocked the kill switch from the run to the off position, or the fuel tap is in the off position, or you've gone onto reserve at some point and forgotten to switch it back to main when you've filled up, thereby running out of fuel. (Was that the longest sentence EVER?

)

Those are the first things I check when the bike won't start.

Jim2

**Magua** · 25th December 2003, 14:00

Damn, It wasn't either of those.

**marty** · 25th December 2003, 14:57

is the spark plug lead still on top of the spark plug?

**Magua** · 25th December 2003, 17:23

I asume so, I dont see how it could of fallen off while I was in Australia for a week, it worked fine prior to my leaving. It's just been sitting underneath the house for the last 8 days.

**marty** · 25th December 2003, 18:12

there's not much to go wrong really.

if it's turning over, then it's not the battery.

if there's definately fuel in the tank, and the tap is at least on reserve, then there should be fuel getting to the carb (have you checked that it hasn't been siphoned/drained while you were away?)

it would be unlikely to be the ignition leads/condesor failing or breaking down on such a new bike. the plug though may have failed, but if was going ok when you left it, i'd pick fuel. it's a simple job to pull the plug out and have a look at it. i would at least do that.

i've had the fuel thing stump me on the roadside - thought i had changed it to reserve but had switched it off (it is in italian....)

**merv** · 25th December 2003, 18:42

I presume you are using the choke as you are meant to and if its typical of my DR250R it will run pretty lean so I give mine a couple of squirts on the accelerator pump to start it from cold i.e. by twisting the throttle around a couple of times before I hit the starter button.

You say you only left it a week so the next comment probably doesn't apply, but truth be known I reckon there has been problems with our bikes if you leave them sitting too long ever since NZ has had unleaded 96 octane. I only ride my DR occasionally and when I do to get it going I always open the carb drain with the fuel still turned on to let it flush fresh fuel through from the tank. Mine has an Allen screw drain plug on the side of the carb, not sure what yours would have. Works a treat and it always starts if I do that. This normally applies if I've left it for quite a few weeks not just one week.

You can check the ignition is working by taking the spark plug out then reattach it to its lead and earth the base of the plug against the engine and push the starter with the key on and see if you are getting a spark at the plug. If not then you might have a problem there.

However chances are it is a fuel thing.

**Magua** · 25th December 2003, 19:52

Could be fuel, dunno. The bike hasn't really had much use in the time it's been around, the last owner literally just took it around the corner every now and then. I'll look into a few things tommorow morning, I've got a friend coming over, we will try some stuff. I'll get back to you hopefully with good news

.

**Marmoot** · 25th December 2003, 20:17

If it is cranking (the engine is turning) while you're starting,
- Check if you're using the choke properly. Most bike need the choke when starting cold.
- Check your fuel (is it there? is the fuel tap in ON position?). Might be too much condensation increased water element in the fuel. Or the fuel line is clogged by dirt (sometimes shaking the bike around helps).
- Check spark plug. See if it is fouled. Probably the engine is flooded (unburned petrol due to wrong starting for too long).

If it is not cranking (no noise at all),
- Check all battery connections OK or not.
- If there is a "click click" noise when pushing starter button, might be the relay and electrical are ok but there is something wrong with your starter motor.
- Might be the battery is dead. If it is, call AA if you need them to jump start your bike. Or you can try Suzuka-style bump start. DO NOT TEST BATTERY BY HOLDING TWO CONNECTORS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!!!
- Could be broken electrical cabling
- Could be starter relay (hopefully not)
- Could be your ECU is fried (pray it's not this one!)

**Andrew** · 25th December 2003, 20:38

I live in northcote, I don't mind coming over if you would like me to have a look at it. pm me for details

**georgedubyabush** · 26th December 2003, 12:49

Originally Posted by merv

You say you only left it a week so the next comment probably doesn't apply, but truth be known I reckon there has been problems with our bikes if you leave them sitting too long ever since NZ has had unleaded 96 octane. I only ride my DR occasionally and when I do to get it going I always open the carb drain with the fuel still turned on to let it flush fresh fuel through from the tank. Mine has an Allen screw drain plug on the side of the carb, not sure what yours would have. Works a treat and it always starts if I do that. This normally applies if I've left it for quite a few weeks not just one week.

That goes with what ive been told about our gas too. The KZ650 was a bloody nightmare to start until I learned about the drains. Battery screwed so about 30-40 kicks till she fires up. If I drain all 4 carbs, she starts first kick. Left overnight she starts fine, but anything longer than a couple of days and she needs a drain.