Suzuki GN250 Bobber starting problem

[Tombstone]

Update - solenoid appears to be fine. Tested it last night, tried to crash start and no joy (good compression though). Spoke to a guy down at KG Motorcycles and he's 100% convinced the starter motor needs the brush replaced - says he's dealt with a tonne of them. I'll take the starter motor off tonite and get it down to him in the morning to have it sorted. Hopefully problem solved. Will update when I get it sorted.

[Tombstone]

Pulled the starter motor apart and the brushes are worn and one of the small coil springs that hold them in is buggered. Being fixed now and hopefully that's the problem solved. Will keep ya'll posted.

[Fergus]

If a push start won't work, logic says a rebuilt starter won't either...

[Tombstone]

If a push start won't work, logic says a rebuilt starter won't either...

Well, either way it needed repairing and if it doesn't work when reinstalled then I'll move on to the next thing. Gotta start somewhere so why not with the part that's buggered? Seems kinda logical to me. See where you're coming from though - cheers.

[Tombstone]

If a push start won't work, logic says a rebuilt starter won't either...

Goddam - you were right (but starter needed rebuilding anyway)! Even connecting the two poles on the solenoid did nothing. So back to the drawing board. Stoopid bike!

[Karl08]

....ahh the joys and despair that comes with owning a bike....

[Tombstone]

....ahh the joys and despair that comes with owning a bike....

If I wasn't a grown man I'd cry ... but shall persevere and get it running if it near kills me.

[ducatilover]

I don't see how the reg/rec can stop a GN from starting.
Did you try putting power straight to the starter?
I'd roll start it in 2nd or third, if no dice then you might have a rooted power cable from the battery or a munted earth.

If I saw this sooner I could have sent you another good starter and solenoid

Sent from a place with lots and lots of GN parts

[Tombstone]

I don't see how the reg/rec can stop a GN from starting.
Did you try putting power straight to the starter?
I'd roll start it in 2nd or third, if no dice then you might have a rooted power cable from the battery or a munted earth.

If I saw this sooner I could have sent you another good starter and solenoid

Sent from a place with lots and lots of GN parts

I'm kinda new to the bike thing (have always tinkered with old hot rods and cars) so I'm a little green on it so what would you suggest? Is there some way of trying to actually isolate the problem without having access to what your average motorcycle mechanic might have handy like meters etc? I really want to get her going and it's kinda depressing as I just threw $80 at the starter being rebuilt (with new brushes and armiture) and still nothing. I rang the guy back and he's kinda stumped. Here's what I've done so far. Recharged battery and no joy so mate down the road had a new one which we made sure was fully charged and still no joy. Starter brushes were shot along with spring so had that rebuilt - nada. Tried push starting - no joy (compression good though). Bridged poles on solenoid and got good spark but didn't ignite starter - losing my mind now. Checked all connections - battery, earth etc which are nice and clean. Kinda stumped now. Got two autistic boys who are dying to hear it run and so am I. By the way I really appreciate your offer - cheers. Here's a pic of the bike as it is now (I'm a freelance low brow artist so gonna hit her with some custom artwork when I get it up and running).

[Karl08]

I don't see how the reg/rec can stop a GN from starting.
Did you try putting power straight to the starter?
I'd roll start it in 2nd or third, if no dice then you might have a rooted power cable from the battery or a munted earth.

If I saw this sooner I could have sent you another good starter and solenoid

Sent from a place with lots and lots of GN parts

I have no idea either- just basing it on what the bike mechanic diagnosed.

[ducatilover]

Why did you have no joy push starting it? Did you build up a running pace and dump the clutch?
Owner's manual http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26633588/GN250%20Manual.pdf may help you out

[bogan]

Sounds like you have at least two problems.

My picks are:
1) Dodgy high current connection to the starter somewhere, so while you get a decent spark by shorting the poles, the current is still shy of what it needs to tick over.
2) You're shit at push-starting

Alternatively
1-238) its fucked

Other Alternatively
1) mechanical issues making it harder for the starter to turn over
2) electrical issues for same
3) electrical issues making it unable to be push started
4) mechanical issues for same

Diagnosis
Find out why it isn't push starting, the starter problems shouldn't affect this at all.

[Tombstone]

Why did you have no joy push starting it? Did you build up a running pace and dump the clutch?
Owner's manual http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26633588/GN250%20Manual.pdf may help you out

if I knew I'd tell ya but I can say this much - by the end of it I was sweating like a man on the run and have to sit under the air con for a good half an hour so certainly wasn't for want of trying. Threw her into second, got up speed, dumped the clutch - nada.

[Sable]

Grow some balls and crash start it. Every. Time. Artists = pussies

[FJRider]

if I knew I'd tell ya but I can say this much - by the end of it I was sweating like a man on the run and have to sit under the air con for a good half an hour so certainly wasn't for want of trying. Threw her into second, got up speed, dumped the clutch - nada.

Try 3rd or 4th gear. 5th Even (you can push it for longer) ... 2 is way too low for a non runner.

Good plugs you know are ok. Not the plugs that are in it that "LOOK" ok ...