Couldn't keep my bike going...

[hm6]

right-o, well, just to explain myself a bit. Got my bike -250 bandit- from up north about 4 weeks ago. Spent 3 days practicing, then did a mish with my brother and dad (on 1 bike) down to Wellington, with a stop over night in Hawkes Bay. Bike went really well, swapt with my brother to pillion with Dad every few hours, and get a rest. Loved it.

Since being back I've barely been able to ride it - partly a bit scared - cause the wind has been freaky, and just in general the weather has been shit (am I allowed to say that on here?). I'm concentrating on going down the road by myself to get really comfortable with the bike as I'm more nervous getting round town, than out on open road.

soooo...long winded, it's only had 3 rides since I've had it home. Tried to start it tonight. Got it going with choke. Got all my gear on, let the choke down a bit coz I thought, it's been revving high for bout 10 minutes,but it died. Put choke back up, and kept trying to get it started. Wouldn't budge. I was being really careful not to flood it, but after about 15 mins, sounded like the battery gave in. I got really p'd off.

q's are:
Is this coz I left it sitting for so long?
Is there something else I should've tried?
What should I do now?
Any bandit help appreciated

Also I'm really keen on getting a manual. I want to know the ins and outs - does someone know a good website, or NZ dealer preferably?

Ta
hm

[Pancakes]

If your battery is old/had a hard life or is out of juice it might be but sounds like it had the guts to crank over for a while? A few weeks isn't that long for a battery to sit.

The weather has been shit matey and if it's not your thing to learn while you get blown everywhere and soaked to the bone thats understandable!

You'll most likely have at least one person offer to come have a look, thats probably a good idea cos it sounds like your not sure of where the problem is coming from? have a look over the bike, is there anything that looks outta place? Cracks in the intake pipes? oil in the water or vice versa? Any other problems while you were on your ride with your folks? Your Dad rides, can he have a look?

I always feel like I've been stolen from at bike shops, there's things you need to go for but there are also poor racers out there more than capable. Comes down to your judgement of the individual I guess.

Goos luck and have fun posting!

[skidMark]

youve left her on the choke too long and fouled ya plugs......

need new plugs....

and yes shit biatch jewbag hippey crack whores.......

swear words are permitted... lol

[Pancakes]

You should ride down and give them a wire brushing Marky mark. Has your "holiday" started yet?

[skidMark]

You should ride down and give them a wire brushing Marky mark. Has your "holiday" started yet?

started on 24th of september...9 month walkys....



andi had another thought...perhaps shes run outta fuel???? just coincidence of when it happened...try flick it onto reserve if it looks like shes getting a bit low...

but failing that i still reckon youve stuffed ya spark plugs....fouled em.

[xwhatsit]

I'd say the too-long-choke theory is likely. Really, as soon as it will run without choke, turn it off; it'll take longer to warm up this way (lower RPM), but it's better for it.

Now it's been sitting for a while, give it another shot (choke again of course, the engine is cold by now). If still no cigar, and battery is fully charged, take the plugs out and run a bit of sandpaper between the electrode and whatever the other bit is called.

[PirateJafa]

Tried hooking the bike up to your car's battery? That's the easiest way to check if it is the battery at fault.

[BMW]

agreed with most of the guys. Choke is only made to start the bike.

Clean them plugs and try a good charge and re try. Also the fuel to. That has caught some people out!

[marioc]

yep just use the choke to kick it in to life,she should idle straight away with no choke,maybe a couple of gentle twists.
I had this same problem and it was indeed fouled plugs.

[Mikkel]

Could the idle setting have been upset so much that it won't run without the choke?

take the plugs out and run a bit of sandpaper between the electrode and whatever the other bit is called.

I'd say they are both electrodes - if you want to be more specific one is the anode (positive charge) and the other the cathode (negative charge) for DC electrodes. (These terms are redundant when considering AC)
I guess you could term them ground and electrode if you wanted as well. Ultimately it doesn't matter I guess - voltage drops are a matter of relative voltages.

[skidMark]

Could the idle setting have been upset so much that it won't run without the choke?



I'd say they are both electrodes - if you want to be more specific one is the anode (positive charge) and the other the cathode (negative charge) for DC electrodes. (These terms are redundant when considering AC)
I guess you could term them ground and electrode if you wanted as well. Ultimately it doesn't matter I guess - voltage drops are a matter of relative voltages.

too specific...brain overload.....overload...overload BANG!

[Mikkel]

too specific...brain overload.....overload...overload BANG!

I hope you were wearing your helmet then (ATGATT)

[Paul in NZ]

Remove the battery and place it on charge. Preferably check it for condition as a good battery is essential.

While its charging, see if you can get the plugs out for a look see. Its a prick of a job but it will give an indication of whats up.

First opportunity, get the bike serviced (or do it yourself), especially if there is no known history.

Personally - I'm definately NOT a fan of leaving vehicles idling on the choke when they are cold, IMHO you are better off warming the whole thing up by gently riding it. I live really close to shw1 so I'll go way around the block before leaping out there.

Sing out if you need more help - there are enough hormone soaked budding mechs here that would willing sacrifice knuckle skin for the attention of a damsel in distress - not me mind - I'm old, sad, in love and married and I skin my knuckles for the pure pleasure of it....

Cheers

[xwhatsit]

Personally - I'm definately NOT a fan of leaving vehicles idling on the choke when they are cold, IMHO you are better off warming the whole thing up by gently riding it. I live really close to shw1 so I'll go way around the block before leaping out there.

Probably best in this case to just let it warm up on idle with no choke, rather than gently riding it; it's a 250cc straight four; it's not like you can just let slowly let the clutch out with a hair of throttle and rumble around on British parallel twin torque.

Best to start it, get it off choke straight away, and leave it idling while you get your jacket, scarf, helmet and gloves on, by that time it should be warm enough to get (gently and without abuse) under way.

[hm6]

Thanks for all this input - went through most of these things in my head - fuel was sweet, talked to dad and knew idle was sweet - the bike had a full checkout by a motorcycle mechanic friend of his and got a new battery.

So maybe the bike just needed a rest? I thought I better just put the key in 2nite and see if it would start - and it went first button!! Blimmin heck

So going over it again in my head, it sounds like I left it sitting high on the choke for too long. Like Marioc said - just meant to get it started, and while I was fluffing about getting my gear on, it had been sitting with choke on full for 10 mins. So I'm putting it down to this for now, before I start thinking bout electrodes, voltage drops, using sandpaper...will suss that all out

This happened so easily, I guess the good thing in the bike conking on me is it made me realize, I want to get to know the mechanics a lot more

annoyed, but happy

so lets hope it starts tomorrow lol