Strange happenings with my bike

[nzspokes]

Well, battery's fine. Hooked it up to the battery charger and after a few seconds, it said the battery was fully charged. Both terminals are tightly secured. Tank's looking squeaky clean.

Managed to lose a screw for one of the side covers... Will have to have a look for the fuel filter tomorrow when there's better light.

Did you check the battery earth to the frame? Did you check battery when turning the motor over?

[Mom]

Thanks Mom. Think it may not be that though... I run 98 through it most of the time, and the tank looks very clean. BUT may be dirty/clogged fuel filter, as it's not been changed since i bought the bike and no idea of its condition.

Only Radian cough I know of was when I ran out of fuel!

Well, I will wait and watch. Honestly, I tried everything when my BB was playing up. The tank also looked fine, but if you have a look at how it sits when on the side stand, you will see a low point that is susceptible to rusting, and it does not take much rust in fuel to start making engines not run properly/hard to start. Good luck with it, I got heartily sick to death of mine

[MSTRS:Me]

Coughing, surging, dying....all symptoms of dirty fuel.
But the man says the starter won't turn the engine over. Or does he? Have to be clear about these things to 'diagnose' over the 'puter.

[Drew]

The kill switch wires are broken at the headstock I'll bet.

Happened to me a couple times on various bikes. Easy fix, have fun.

[Tigadee]

Did you check the battery earth to the frame? Did you check battery when turning the motor over?

No...

Starter solenoid and connections to it

Hmmmmm... OK. No idea how to check that but will try. Thanks DL.

The tank also looked fine, but if you have a look at how it sits when on the side stand, you will see a low point that is susceptible to rusting, and it does not take much rust in fuel to start making engines not run properly/hard to start.

I hope not that's not the case. Thanks for the pointer though.

The kill switch wires are broken at the headstock I'll bet.
Happened to me a couple times on various bikes. Easy fix, have fun.

OK< will check it out... Thanks.

But the man says the starter won't turn the engine over. Or does he? Have to be clear about these things to 'diagnose' over the 'puter.

Well, basically nothing happens when you try to start. Then after a few attempts, it will start like normal. No hesitation.

This morning, all perfect. No trouble starting, no huccups... Just start, and ride away!
Attachment 283747

[MSTRS:Me]

Well, basically nothing happens when you try to start. Then after a few attempts, it will start like normal. No hesitation.

When people say 'nothing happens' they may not mean what we think...

So - engine turns over, but doesn't start?
Or...
Engine does not even turn over?

[Tigadee]

When people say 'nothing happens' they may not mean what we think...

So - engine turns over, but doesn't start?
Or...
Engine does not even turn over?

As in you-can-hear-a-pin-drop "nothing happens"... No sputtering, coughing, shuddering, no turning over, nothing but silence. Bike is in neutral, kill switch is off and side stand is down. Headlight just dims, and I'll stop trying to start the bike.

After half a minute and a few more attempts, suddenly the bike comes to life and starts like normal, turns over and idles smoothly and strong, rides like normal and nothing like it happens again for a while.

Could be the planetary alignment, or a passing radioactive meteorite, or an overloading transmission tower nearby, who knows. It's bizarre!

[bogan]

As in you-can-hear-a-pin-drop "nothing happens"... No sputtering, coughing, shuddering, no turning over, nothing but silence. Bike is in neutral, kill switch is off and side stand is down. Headlight just dims, and I'll stop trying to start the bike.

After half a minute and a few more attempts, suddenly the bike comes to life and starts like normal, turns over and idles smoothly and strong, rides like normal and nothing like it happens again for a while.

Could be the planetary alignment, or a passing radioactive meteorite, or an overloading transmission tower nearby, who knows. It's bizarre!

Were it me, I compile a list of all the electrical or potentially electric related problems occurring, get the wiring diagram out, and have a big night in Chances are it will narrow down the search for what sounds like a wiring problem.

[MSTRS:Me]

As in you-can-hear-a-pin-drop "nothing happens"... No sputtering, coughing, shuddering, no turning over, nothing but silence. Bike is in neutral, kill switch is off and side stand is down. Headlight just dims, and I'll stop trying to start the bike.

After half a minute and a few more attempts, suddenly the bike comes to life and starts like normal, turns over and idles smoothly and strong, rides like normal and nothing like it happens again for a while.

Could be the planetary alignment, or a passing radioactive meteorite, or an overloading transmission tower nearby, who knows. It's bizarre!

My money is on a faulty earth.
With a side bet on the RHS switchblock...

[Tigadee]

Chances are it will narrow down the search for what sounds like a wiring problem.

My money is on a faulty earth.
With a side bet on the RHS switchblock...

It's looking that way, aye?

[Tigadee]

Dammit, it seems to be getting worse!

Tonight it took a minute of trying before it would finally start. Again it was the same: Turn on like normal, headlight strong and steady, in neutral gear, kill switch off, side stand up and press start button and nothing happens... No sound, no engine turning over, nothing. Headlight dims each time I press the start button.

After a minute, the bike starts like normal and off I go. On the motorway, three times it just seemed to lose power for one second and then resumes running, all at random times. At least I made it home!

[Coolz]

Another place you could look is inside the headlight. There is a lot of vibration there, forks pounding etc, and a lot of wires including the ones from your switchblocks are routed through the headlight.

[Tigadee]

OK, I guess I'll have to do that. [I hate having to rummage through the guts of a bike...] But thanks much, Coolz.

[bogan]

Dammit, it seems to be getting worse!

What, did you expect it to fix itself?

Chances are you're going to have to take to it with a voltmeter and wiring diagrams, hoping for the best is more likely to leave you stranded on the roadside than the problem disappearing.

[nzspokes]

Dammit, it seems to be getting worse!

Tonight it took a minute of trying before it would finally start. Again it was the same: Turn on like normal, headlight strong and steady, in neutral gear, kill switch off, side stand up and press start button and nothing happens... No sound, no engine turning over, nothing. Headlight dims each time I press the start button.

After a minute, the bike starts like normal and off I go. On the motorway, three times it just seemed to lose power for one second and then resumes running, all at random times. At least I made it home!

Well stop riding it or you will get stuck. I will see if I can find some time and pop over. Or do you think it could make it here? Easier here as ive got my tools. Top box wont hold everything.