Strange happenings with my bike

**Tigadee** · 6th June 2013, 12:06

It started three weeks ago on a ride in the country and the bike hiccupped twice. That means cut out for a second and then continued like normal then cut out again 10 secs later for another sec, then resumed working. Nothing else happened for another week when I was traveling home on the motorway when the bike again hiccuped once.

Last night, I tried for 10 secs to start the bike and it wouldn't. Lights strong and bright, kill switch off, bike in neutral... After 10 -12 secs, engine turned over.

This morning, I turned on the bike and hit the start switch. Nothing, this time for about 30 secs. Headlight dimmed each time I tried to start, but no sound, nothing at all. After about 30 secs, I think I heard a faint *tick* sound somewhere and the engine turns over and off I go after a warm up period.

On the motorway, the bike suddenly starts losing power and I pulled over. Engine is dead but right after I stop, I could start it again and continued on to work without a hitch.

Is it the cold? Dirty or deteriorated air filter? Fuel filter clogged?

Sparks and engine oil/filter are new (few months old), battery always seemed fine, and the bike always started without hesitation before.

I'll have George (MC Doctor) look at it but a bit cash-strapped at the moment so would like some ideas of what may be wrong before calling him.

**bogan** · 6th June 2013, 12:11

I'd be looking for loom gremlins, particularly in the RHS switchgear, as that has the kill and starter buttons right? so if something was going wrong, it could potentially make it stop running, or stop starting, but leave the headlights going fine.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 6th June 2013, 12:11

You haven't just got a loose/bad batt connection have ya?

**bogan** · 6th June 2013, 12:13

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

You haven't just got a loose/bad batt connection have ya?

If the headlights are unaffected I wouldn't think so...

**Tigadee** · 6th June 2013, 12:24

Originally Posted by bogan

I'd be looking for loom gremlins, particularly in the RHS switchgear, as that has the kill and starter buttons right? so if something was going wrong, it could potentially make it stop running, or stop starting, but leave the headlights going fine.

Will do, thanks for helping me start somewhere...

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

You haven't just got a loose/bad batt connection have ya?

Crap if I know! Bloody battery's buried down somewhere I can't even see it after taking the seat off...

Yeah I know, time to look at the manual...

**Crasherfromwayback** · 6th June 2013, 12:36

Originally Posted by bogan

If the headlights are unaffected I wouldn't think so...

I hear ya...but stranger things have happened. I always start with this...K.I.S.S. A mate of mine's Diesel ute was having ex the problem the other week. Lights worked a treat..just no starter motor. Lose neg terminal.

**dogsnbikes** · 6th June 2013, 12:53

This sounds similar to what Monies VFR was doing...

We traced it too a loose battery terminal,The bike has a motobatt battery and it was loose where the terminal bolts to the battery,not where the lead is connected to the terminal...so cheak your battery.

But would still look into the switch blocks too as it could be as simple as having dirty/rusty conections,before pulling them apart get some CRC or similar electrical spray and spray into the switchblocks till they are well saturated and don't be shy.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 6th June 2013, 12:55

Originally Posted by Tigadee

Crap if I know! Bloody battery's buried down somewhere I can't even see it after taking the seat off...

Yeah I know, time to look at the manual...

Maybe a lil plastic tool tray to remove first?

**buggerit** · 6th June 2013, 13:03

Originally Posted by Tigadee

It started three weeks ago on a ride in the country and the bike hiccupped twice. That means cut out for a second and then continued like normal then cut out again 10 secs later for another sec, then resumed working. Nothing else happened for another week when I was traveling home on the motorway when the bike again hiccuped once.

Last night, I tried for 10 secs to start the bike and it wouldn't. Lights strong and bright, kill switch off, bike in neutral... After 10 -12 secs, engine turned over.

This morning, I turned on the bike and hit the start switch. Nothing, this time for about 30 secs. Headlight dimmed each time I tried to start, but no sound, nothing at all. After about 30 secs, I think I heard a faint *tick* sound somewhere and the engine turns over and off I go after a warm up period.

On the motorway, the bike suddenly starts losing power and I pulled over. Engine is dead but right after I stop, I could start it again and continued on to work without a hitch.

Is it the cold? Dirty or deteriorated air filter? Fuel filter clogged?

Sparks and engine oil/filter are new (few months old), battery always seemed fine, and the bike always started without hesitation before.

I'll have George (MC Doctor) look at it but a bit cash-strapped at the moment so would like some ideas of what may be wrong before calling him.

I agree with Crasher,as you say your headlight was dimming when you were attempting to start bike, check your battery terminals and also where battery earth cable attaches to chassis/engine.

**Tigadee** · 6th June 2013, 13:28

Will do, gentlemen! Thanks for the pointers and I'll let you know what I find...

**Akzle** · 6th June 2013, 17:39

'at'll learn ya for buying a yammy.

**caseye** · 6th June 2013, 17:44

Bloody down countriers! Yakzel, you leave off da Yammies OK.
Tig , come over for a ride lets put her on the table and give her the once over, no worries.