Bike doesn't start, WHY?

[MaxB]

You can get a cheapo charger for $20 or a jump starter for 60. Or borrow one from a mate. Might save you some $$$ in the long run.

[CookMySock]

if the dash lights are NOT dimming when starting, and the battery checks out ok, and all you get is a tick sound, then it might be the contactor(the thing that is making the tick sound) on the starter. They can either be replaced or repaired - usually the little part that joins the two main contacts gets chewed away from arcing. If it's this chewed, you might want to do bearings and brushes too.

If the dash lights ARE dimming or going out when you hit the starter, then there is not enough juice from the battery for some reason, OR a battery or starter terminal is loose or otherwise faulty.


HTH,
DB

[Foobin]

if the dash lights are NOT dimming when starting, and the battery checks out ok, and all you get is a tick sound, then it might be the contactor(the thing that is making the tick sound) on the starter. They can either be replaced or repaired - usually the little part that joins the two main contacts gets chewed away from arcing. If it's this chewed, you might want to do bearings and brushes too.

If the dash lights ARE dimming or going out when you hit the starter, then there is not enough juice from the battery for some reason, OR a battery or starter terminal is loose or otherwise faulty.


HTH,
DB

Hi

Yes, the dash lights ARE dimming when i hit the starter. Unfortunately im unable to hook it up to my car batter yet cause i need to remove the metal thing on top of the battery to get the crocodile clips to fit in....

Maybe the battery is just flat? that should be an easy fix i hope.

[xwhatsit]

Probably just a shagged battery -- these problems seem to pop up once the weather starts getting colder. Cold weather is hard on the battery and your engine needs more grunt to start when it's pre-chilled. Often the engine will still turn over, but there's not enough juice to get a good fat spark as well as turn the engine over fast enough, especially sparking four plugs in one cycle.

Is there a kick starter? Turn all the lights off and just kick the bastard. If you've got a silly bike without one (bet it hasn't got a centre stand either?), bump start it. Then take it for a long ride, keeping the revs up.

[Foobin]

no unfortunately it doesnt have a kick start, which i might add will be really useful to have right now.

it does however has a center stand.....

bike doesnt start with lights off either.

i cant push start it myself, however with the help with someone else i can roll start it, but not easy to go up to someone and say "hey dude, u wana give me a push" in the middle of nowhere.

so whats the best way to fix the problem? new battery? charge the battery?

[Spuds1234]

What are you trying to do when you push start it?

Shouldnt be to hard to push start that thing.

Biff it into third or forth and push it down the road as fast as you can and dump the clutch.

My katana did this last winter. Wouldnt start when the bike was really cold. Turned out to be a fooked battery.

[Foobin]

im probably just too much of a weakling or im doing something wrong, but cant seem to push start it myself.

the battery is getting charged right now, hopefully it will fix the problem.

[HungusMaximist]

Most of the time is the battery and if you can rule the battery out, you're gonna save yourself a lot of grief. Imagine all this time you've been stuffing around and it turned out it was a bung battery.

Just remember, if the battery doesn't hold charge, you've got a problem.

Buy from a reputable brand (replacement brands recommended by the dealer are OK also) and if you decide to get a new battery, MAKE SURE the ACID isn't alreadly inside the battery when you buy it because you don't know how long it's been sitting there. Fresh batteries are dry to start with and has to be activated with acid everytime a customer buys one.

Have a look if you're battery requires a top up of distilled water, if it's a maintenace free one then don't worry.

[CookMySock]

recharge the battery overnight first, and then try starting with it. If it still dont go then its rooted. Just buy another one. They're cheap.

If it works perfectly after that, then goes flat a few days or a week later, then you have a charging problem - take it to the shop.

DB

[Foobin]

will do, got the battery on charge right now, will see how it does in the morning.

[skidMark]

ya have to get her rolling...in 2nd if you can...stand up on the pegs...at the moment you drop the clutch, jump down on the seat...to compress the suspension. this stops the back wheel skidding so it can actually turn over.... if you can get it rolling fast enough it shouldnt be hard to clunk 2nd gear.

[fireliv]

Hope its just the battery and it will start for ya. I had that problem in welly but it wasnt the battery, it was the carbs. WIth 4 hours to make a ferry I had to beg a bike shop to take a look.
Sounds like a battery so let us know how you go in the morning

[Foobin]

ya have to get her rolling...in 2nd if you can...stand up on the pegs...at the moment you drop the clutch, jump down on the seat...to compress the suspension. this stops the back wheel skidding so it can actually turn over.... if you can get it rolling fast enough it shouldnt be hard to clunk 2nd gear.

that sounds like a great feat of timing and coordination, i can see myself riding into a tree or concrete wall.

[Foobin]

Hope its just the battery and it will start for ya. I had that problem in welly but it wasnt the battery, it was the carbs. WIth 4 hours to make a ferry I had to beg a bike shop to take a look.
Sounds like a battery so let us know how you go in the morning

i hope its just the battery!!! or i might have to take it into the shop and let them deal with it, as im not much of a mechanic. Give me a computer to fix any day, but bikes......yea...you get the general idea.

[Foobin]

So just out of curiosity i tried to start my bike before battery charger says its fully charged, and the bike started instantly. Matter of fact it actually starts faster than it normally did.

Now the question is if the battery will die in 3 days time....or ill need a new alternator..