Trouble Starting..1150

[raginmund]

I thought it was the battery, but after a couple of days with various chargers everything seems fine, but when I try to fire her up she never quite 'kicks in'.

Fast-idle on, nice firm press on the starter, rumble, chuh chug, rumbbllleee...nowt.

Any ideas?

 

[zdaveuk]

my thought would be starter motor is the culprit

 

[SCOTTY]

If the tanks been off to charge your battery check that the throttle cables are seated correctly in there adjusters.

 

[Uncle Crumpet]

I still say its the battery!

 

[MikeP]

I thought it was the battery, but after a couple of days with various chargers everything seems fine, but when I try to fire her up she never quite 'kicks in'.

Fast-idle on, nice firm press on the starter, rumble, chuh chug, rumbbllleee...nowt.

Any ideas?

my thought would be starter motor is the culprit

I still say its the battery!

Put a volt meter on the battery when cranking, that will tell you if it's the battery. Simply having lots of volts in a battery that's not under any load won't tell you anything relevant.

If the voltage is good when under load, then strip the starter.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207984

 

[warmshed]

"If the voltage is good when under load, then strip the starter. "

While partially correct only suspect the starter if the voltage is good where it goes into the starter not at the battery, you could have a poor connection en-route. and ensure that the earth path is also good.
I am sure that,s what MikeP meant.

 

[raginmund]

"If the voltage is good when under load, then strip the starter. "

While partially correct only suspect the starter if the voltage is good where it goes into the starter not at the battery, you could have a poor connection en-route. and ensure that the earth path is also good.
I am sure that,s what MikeP meant.

How would I do that?

 

[warmshed]

Get a multi meter, put it on DC voltage on a range that will allow it to read up to or over 15 volts. Put the probes across the battery and try to start the bike. If the voltage stays above 12 volts then the battery should not be the culprit. So next prove the electrical connections.

Now leave the probe on the -ve side of the battery and place the other probe on the starter motor where the thick cable is bolted on. Try again, if the voltage is lower by more than 1/2-1 volt (than it was when across the battery when trying to start) then you have a problem in the +ve electrical path to the starter motor.

Try putting the probe on the +ve side of the battery and the other on the starter motor casing, try to start again, if the voltage falls more than 1.2-1 volt (than it was when across the battery when trying to start) then the _ve path to the satrter motor is the problem.

If it all sounds double dutch then I am afraid I have not described it well enough so you should try to grab a friend who is used to using a meter as it is easy to lead yourself astray if you are not used to them.
Best of luck.

 

[raginmund]

Get a multi meter, put it on DC voltage on a range that will allow it to read up to or over 15 volts. Put the probes across the battery and try to start the bike. If the voltage stays above 12 volts then the battery should not be the culprit. So next prove the electrical connections.

Now leave the probe on the -ve side of the battery and place the other probe on the starter motor where the thick cable is bolted on. Try again, if the voltage is lower by more than 1/2-1 volt (than it was when across the battery when trying to start) then you have a problem in the +ve electrical path to the starter motor.

Try putting the probe on the +ve side of the battery and the other on the starter motor casing, try to start again, if the voltage falls more than 1.2-1 volt (than it was when across the battery when trying to start) then the _ve path to the satrter motor is the problem.

If it all sounds double dutch then I am afraid I have not described it well enough so you should try to grab a friend who is used to using a meter as it is easy to lead yourself astray if you are not used to them.
Best of luck.

Thank you, I really appreciate it; I'll try all that tomorrow

 

[Colban]

If the tanks been lifted,has the throttle cable seating been checked?.

 

[Uncle Crumpet]

I still say its the battery!

I still say its the battery.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Starter motor button on bars

 

[raginmund]

I still say its the battery.

Gave it a last chance to charge before I toddle off to Halford for a multimetre.

Low and behold it kicked in after some coaxing with the throttle, but there were a couple of misfires from the exhaust and it didn't rev freely.

Jumped aboard and drove 5 miles down the road, and it feels lumpy and unwilling to rev, like their is something stuck down the exhaust pipe. I stopped to make sure the throttle cables were OK and noticed the Cat was glowing orange

Let it cool down and brought it home, where it's now glowing like the embers of a fire..

Now I'm even more confused

Any more helpful suggestions??

 

[raginmund]

If the tanks been lifted,has the throttle cable seating been checked?.

I'll check them again..

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

Well, I don't know the definitive answer to this but I'd be having a look at the condition of your cat' to check that it hasn't been physically damaged or that the internals have not become loose.

 

[Welshman]

Well, I don't know the definitive answer to this but I'd be having a look at the condition of your cat' to check that it hasn't been physically damaged or that the internals have not become loose.

Mine had loose cat internals, made no real difference to running just rattled, I go Throttle cables, have you checked the rubbers around the throttle bodies for an air leak?

 

[warmshed]

I agree with Colban, check the throttle cables are seated correctly. As it started but runs rough then starter and battery are not suspect. Glowing red? timing/hall effect or fuelling?

 

[Colban]

Is it a single or twin sparker?.
After checking the ends of the throttle cables that go into the splitter box under the battery as well as the TB end,check for failed stickcoils if a twin spark.

 

[raginmund]

Thanks for all the input guys; I couldn't figure it out so Roy (RGM Motorcycles) picked it up and ran the diagnostics on it.

Turns out it was the throttle position potentiometer (I had to goggle it), which had become dislodged. So, in the end, a minor fault

 

[Nutty]

Should've bought a 1200