Help Bike won't run!

[Beak Freak]

Help

Went to start the bike the other day and it fired up first turn, ran for about 2 seconds and then died. Oh well, it had been a while, so tried again....same thing happened. I have now drained the battery in trying to get it started.

The bike has been left outside for a couple of months, but with a new battery fitted ( I have checked the throttle cable seating and have ridden the bike since fitting the new battery). It starts to cough and splutter after a couple of seconds and then just dies.

I have searched here and I realise it could be several things, but could someone tell me what the most likley fault is as I am not the most adept spanner man!

 

[Gecko]

What bike is it ?
I had similar with my R1100GS a while back and diagnosed it back to the clutch switch - the engine was just dead as a doornail. Side stand switch is often another culprit but if yours has been living outside in all that sea air in the islands then corrosion on the battery terminals would be something to look for .

 

[northengit]

Help

Went to start the bike the other day and it fired up first turn, ran for about 2 seconds and then died. Oh well, it had been a while, so tried again....same thing happened. I have now drained the battery in trying to get it started.

The bike has been left outside for a couple of months, but with a new battery fitted ( I have checked the throttle cable seating and have ridden the bike since fitting the new battery). It starts to cough and splutter after a couple of seconds and then just dies.

I have searched here and I realise it could be several things, but could someone tell me what the most likley fault is as I am not the most adept spanner man!

Since you now have a flat battery, while it's being recharged do a few simple check's whip the plugs out and give em a clean, check the airfilter is clear ( not full of dirt or moisture ) you said you've checked the throttle cables so check fuel level, ?? is it v-low.? .
Other than that not sure , but when you re-install the charged battery , switch the ignition on and Fully open and close the throttle 3 or 4 times to reset the motronic brain.
See how you get on.

 

[Beak Freak]

thanks for the advice guys, hopefully get it sorted at the weekend.

 

[stephenm]

Help

Went to start the bike the other day and it fired up first turn, ran for about 2 seconds and then died.

Are you starting it on the centrestand? The back wheel spinning (in neutral) while the front is still can trigger a shutdown.

Stephen

 

[LiquidLAN]

I don't know enough about the BM engines specifically, but this sounds like a fuel problem rather than an electrical one.

If the bike starts and runs then the electrics should be ok - it will take more juice to fire it up than to run it.

From what you've said it starts, runs then starts to splutter and fade... if its been outside over winter have a think about refueling with fresh fuel - its an easy 1st step

Then depending on how good you are with spanners take a look at the carbs, they tend to get stuck up with petrol residue if you let them fill then dry out a lot.

There are other guys here who know these bikes better than me, but thats where I would start.

 

[LiquidLAN]

Are you starting it on the centrestand? The back wheel spinning (in neutral) while the front is still can trigger a shutdown.

Stephen

That's a sign of too much technology stuffed into one bike...

 

[Phil Thomas]

I had exactly this problem a month or so ago, admittedly after I had had the tank off for maintenance. It started every time, but would run only for a few seconds, consequently I too flattened the battery.

Removed the tank, checked every thing was in place, carefully re-installed tank. Guess what, started first time and has run perfectly ever since. No real conclusion but suspected that one of the breather pipes from the tank was squashed, possibly causing a partial vacuum. However, I don't really know but interested to hear how you get on.

Regards to all,

 

[gypsy]

Just a thought but have a look at the wires coming out of the ignition switch to see if any of the wires have broken

 

[Steptoe]

Are you starting it on the centrestand? The back wheel spinning (in neutral) while the front is still can trigger a shutdown.

Stephen

Are you on drugs ????