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Message started by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 06:22:50

Title: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 06:22:50

This morning I tried to start my '02 Savage to get to work, but couldn't get it to run. The battery is almost drained now (I was fairly frustrated in the morning...).

The starter turned over maybe 20 times, but the engine didn't catch. It was on full choke each time. I also start my bike in neutral, and this morning after a few minutes with no luck I tried it in first gear, and the bike tried to move forward each time the starter clicked on. It felt like the gear was partially engaged even with the clutched pulled in.

Something else that might factor in is the weather, it was about 25 degrees this morning when I tried to start it.

Anyone have any helpful hints as to what I can do? I really want to get my bike in working order, as the good weather is almost here!

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by vroom1776 on 03/17/08 at 06:48:15

gas?

if it's been sitting for a while, the battery may be strong enough to turn it over, but not start it. charge the battery or get a new one... to start with

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 06:53:20

I had it out last thursday and filled it up then, so it should be full minus a few miles worth of gas.

I'm thinking it might be the oil, so I'm going to check that tonight.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by skrapiron on 03/17/08 at 06:53:24

One, pull your battery. Make sure all of your cells are topped up with distilled water, then place the battery on a charger.

Two, make sure you start the bike in Neutral. In cold weather, the oil is very viscous (thick). It coats engine parts and the clutch like honey. When you try to start the bike in gear, the cold oil grabs the clutch plates and 'sticks' adding stress to the starter. In neutral, the engine is disengaged from the transmission so the clutch is free to spin.

Three, when did you last ride? When did you last fill your tank? Did you add fuel stablizer before you put it away? If the answer to the questions is a while ago and no, then drain your tank and add fresh fuel. (ethanol blended fuels break down after a short period of storage and can draw water in from the air).

Four, if the above suggestions do not help, pull your spark plug and look at its condition. The electrode should be light gray to light tan. Black soot means it is running too rich and will foul out. White soot means it is running too lean and is burning itself up.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 06:58:30

Technically the bike was never put away for winter, I've been able to take it out every week or so (never sat longer than two weeks). Last fill up was Thursday of last week with Shell's Super 93....

I don't have access to a battery charger, unfortunately, though if I can get it started once, I was planning a 120 mile trip this weekend, and my destination does have a charger I could use.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by skrapiron on 03/17/08 at 07:05:47

If you don't have access to a charger, you're going to have a hard time getting the bike started. There is no real good access for attaching jumper cables while still attached to the bike.

Pull your battery and check the cells. You'd be suprised, but the cells do tend to dry out over the winter. Top up any that are low, then go to the auto-parts store and buy a cheap charger. They're less than $30.00 and some come with pig-tails that you can attach to your battery terminals that will allow for remote charging (without taking the battery out every time).

Worst case senario, you need a new battery. Any type 14 battery should work, you just have to watch the clearances of the box (use a tape measure). If you do get the new battery, get a maintenance free or 'sealed' battery. They won't dry out like wet-cells do. An AGM (absorbed glass mat) is the latest technology and seems to be unaffected by temperature.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 07:12:17

Thanks for the advice! I'll see what I can get done tonight with the bike!

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by skrapiron on 03/17/08 at 07:21:39

I just noticed, you're from Pittsburgh.... What part of town?

I'm over on the west side by the airport.....

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 07:25:14

Oakland. I'm a student at the University of Pittsburgh, and live on campus there. Great for learning, not so great for working on a bike...

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by Reelthing on 03/17/08 at 07:25:49

Some of the problem maybe the battery itself - if the voltage drops below 12.3v or so the Ign will not fire - the engine will turn over but will not fire.

If that is the original battery it's likely toast. Me I'd not fool with it unless I was really sure that battery was good - and replace it with an agm battery - no water to worry with, very low discharge rate when sitting around - everyone needs a Big Crank

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by verslagen1 on 03/17/08 at 07:31:53

You can push start your bike, my technique is different than others but it works for me.
push up to speed, hop on, put in 1st, push starter button, let turn a couple then pop the clutch, release starter button.
Why 1st, so you can leave it in gear and roll with it till the engine smooths out.
Why pop the clutch while the starter is going, starter has a one way clutch, also the safety interlocks will disengage the starter as soon as the clutch is let out.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by T Mack 1 on 03/17/08 at 10:07:51

5840594A5B425944452B0 wrote:

I just noticed, you're from Pittsburgh.... What part of town?

I'm over on the west side by the airport.....

Sounds like a rescue mission in the works........ ;)

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by JakeB on 03/17/08 at 12:51:40

If you don't have a battery charger you could remove the battery and connect it to your (or a friend's) car battery with jumper cables and let the car run for a while.

That would charge the battery, just cost you a bit in gas. :-/

JakeB

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by skrapiron on 03/17/08 at 14:55:32

Not the best idea, since the car's alternator produces about 10 times the charging amperage that the bike does. If you overcharge the battery, all the electrolyte boils off and vents explosively.

Ask me how I know.. (hint.. it involved a garden tractor battery and a Ford Ranger...

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by demin on 03/17/08 at 15:18:46

If you use a car battery(which isn't a good thing to begin with)never have the car running.Same reason as skrapiron said.Even if it doesn't explode,it shortens the battery life substantially.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/17/08 at 18:38:35

Well, good news, I tried out the bike this evening and I got it running!

I figured I would try and start it one more time before taking out the battery and the like, and I throttled it just a bit on the third or fourth turn and it roared to life.

man am I glad. I made sure to warm her up nicely, and then took her out for an hours ride or so, to charge up the battery I drained down.

Hopefully this means I can take my bike on that trip this weekend and get it serviced properly!

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by skrapiron on 03/19/08 at 05:17:43

Great to hear, SpacePirate.

Being on campus, I imagine you'd have to do all your maintenance in the parkinglot or on the side walk. (I remeber trying to keep my F-100 pickup running when I was in college. I'd have to keep pizza boxes under it to catch the oil..)

If you need a garage to do some stuff in, you're welcome to ride out this way (not to mention that Tracey's World of Cycles is 2 miles from my house, with a ready supply of parts and accesories).....

Anyhoo, when it gets a little warmer, we need to get together for a ride. Lemme know.

Title: Re: Bike Won't Start...
Post by spacepirates on 03/19/08 at 05:53:36

Aye, a garage would be an amazing thing to have, especially now when it is cold and wet.

Right now my Savage is sitting in a parking garage, mostly out of the weather but it is still far from ideal. It is impossible to keep clean, and I don't even have wax for it, which it disparately needs. So maybe in a few weeks if I could buy some wax I might take you up on that garage offer...

And as for the ride, that would be fantastic. I've mostly limited myself to riding around Schenley park and Squirrel Hill, which are ok, but there aren't many places to really open up the throttle. Just getting over by the airport will be a nice ride for me.