I think my Volty has had a seizure

[klingon]

Rode to Clevedon with some friends on Saturday. Volty ran perfectly well with no sign of trouble. Went to leave the Clevedon Cafe after stopping for coffee and Volty just went "clunk!" when I tried to start her up.

We first thought it might be the battery so tried starting her with the battery from another bike, with the same result.

My friend thought maybe the starter had seized, so we removed the starter motor and tried to push-start her. As soon as he let the clutch out, everything just locked up. Engine didn't turn over at all.

Poor wee Volty had to be trailered back to town. She's just gone to Holeshot for them to take a look.

The funny thing is she showed no signs of trouble while I was riding. I would have thought that an engine that was about to seize would have shown some signs of being super-heated... but I didn't see, hear, feel or smell anything unusual.

I know she's only a little thumper but she's my Best Bike Ever. I hope she pulls through.

[MIXONE]

I say brace yourself for sad news.Bugger right when the best riding weather is starting to mate.

[Ixion]

Won't be a seizure. Probably a jammed starter clutch. If so, it's no biggy.

[vgcspares]

Hope it is minor, but even if it is - use the scare as a reason to start checking your oil level and tire pressures before every trip

[MSTRS:Me]

Try putting the bike in 1st, and then rock it backwards. If it is something to do with the starter, that should pop it free.

[klingon]

Won't be a seizure. Probably a jammed starter clutch. If so, it's no biggy.

Thanks for the thought. I am hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.

Hope it is minor, but even if it is - use the scare as a reason to start checking your oil level and tire pressures before every trip

Yep, always check the oil, tyre pressure and tyre condition before setting off. Checked the oil again on the side of the road and there was still plenty. (She might only be a Volty but I do look after her!)

[slimjim]

Try putting the bike in 1st, and then rock it backwards. If it is something to do with the starter, that should pop it free.

helpfull if she still has bike...

however yes would think starter clutch problem, and yes not a big cost

[klingon]

Try putting the bike in 1st, and then rock it backwards. If it is something to do with the starter, that should pop it free.

Ah! So that's what he was doing! The friend I was riding with tried this, but it didn't help. He also whacked the case of the starter with a spanner to see if he could shake something loose, and when that didn't work he took the starter off completely. No luck.

[MSTRS:Me]

Oh...that sounds much more serious then. Still seems odd that there was no trouble before you stopped.
Good luck.
Edit: - take the spark plug out and then try turning the engine over. It's unlikely, but maybe the float valve didn't seal and your engine is full of petrol (hydrolocked)?

[klingon]

...Still seems odd that there was no trouble before you stopped.
...

That's the bit that's puzzling me. I've been riding the Volty pretty much every day for the last two years, and I'm pretty alert to any sudden changes.

A Volty doesn't have any of those fancy instruments like a GN250 - no temperature gauge or rev counter - but if anything I think that just makes the rider more aware of listening to the bike and feeling it rather than relying on instruments to tell you what's going on. I'm sure I would have noticed the warning signs if she was over-heating.

Edit: The bike has gone to the workshop for a professional check-up so unfortunately I can't experiment on her at the moment. Would I have smelled petrol if the engine was hydrolocked?

[ManDownUnder]

oh poo - and good luck!

edit

A Volty doesn't have any of those fancy instruments like a GN250

I can honestly say I have never heard those two words in such close proximity.

[Ixion]

Rocking backwards is a car trick, doesn't always work with bike starter clutches (ramp and ball). Removing the starter *motor* won't access the drive, which is behind the covers.

Could be anything , but a four stroke to seize immediately on starting (let alone *before* starting) would be most unusual indeed.

I'm sure I recall someone else having this exact problem with a GN recently.

EDIT: Ah, yes this thread. But the bugger never came back and said what the problem turned out to be!

[slimjim]

Ah! So that's what he was doing! The friend I was riding with tried this, but it didn't help. He also whacked the case of the starter with a spanner to see if he could shake something loose, and when that didn't work he took the starter off completely. No luck.

well well so someone was trying all the right things with ya..yes only thing would have been ..pull plug out..see if piston has movement...

well update please

[klingon]

...
I'm sure I recall someone else having this exact problem with a GN recently.

EDIT: Ah, yes this thread. But the bugger never came back and said what the problem turned out to be!

Yes! That's exactly what happened! What a shame he never came back with more detail once he started fiddling with stuff.

My Volty's 1995 and made in Japan, so at least we can eliminate that whole Chinese-made GN phenomenon.

I promise I will let you know what's happening as soon as I learn more.

[gijoe1313]

poopers, sorry to hear the volty is feeling a little tired! I hope all will be well and it is something simple the nefarious gremlins have nerfed. Bikes that you have had for a while and ridden many a road have a special place in your heart ... Let's hope the prognosis is not dire, nor some grim that a wee bash with Mr Block and Mr Mallet cannot cure!