I've had this intermittent problem that's been driving me absolutely bonkers for the past 2 or 3 months now. Initially, the problem was that the bike would turn over, but not fire. My steps were as follows:
1> Was lazy and took the bike to the shop for a level 1 maintenance and diagnostic (for this problem). The tech said he couldn't find any problem and that the bike worked fine. Maintenance completed. A couple of weeks later...problem repeats itself.
2> Checked the battery and found that it was out of fluid. Bought a brand new aftermarket battery, then the bike started fine. Of course, the next day -- the same problem.
3> I then immediately took off the seat, the tank, then looked at the bike and planned my next steps. Reassembled it and tried it "just for the heck of it" -- it worked great. In fact, when I get her started, she runs fine. Next day, wouldn't start.
4> I checked the electrical system. Inspected all connections for corrosion and cleaned those that could use it. Busted out the multimeter and checked that I had continuity on negative line, no resistance across switches and connections, and 12V on decompression solenoid when bike was started. Everything looked fine. I reassembled the bike...and guess what? Well, OK -- it didn't work after this time. But the next day, I started it -- and it worked! (I think it only works when I want to go on joy rides, and not when I actually need to get somewhere).
5> My next step was the automatic decompression cable adjustment. (rant: Which was written in nonsenseese. First, because Clymer has you rotating the engine in the WRONG direction, and second because it's a good idea to specify which "actuator shaft" you're talking about. There's two: solenoid, and the one in the engine. /endrant) Anyhow, I ended up doing a very very minor cable adjustment. It worked fine. After this I drove my bike for a week or so with no problems.
6> Then, a few seconds after a successful start. It died. I tried to restart, but now the engine wouldn't turn over! After spending hours and hours (going through the troubleshooting checklist, and panicking because the next few items involved broken starting gears or seized pistons). I said "what the heck" and tweaked the decompression cable a bit closer to its original setting. Bike fired up fine.
So now I'm at the point where each time I try to start the bike, I get either:
1> Starts fine
2> Turns, but doesn't fire
3> Doesn't turn
Some observations: It doesn't seem to be related to ambient temperature, though after the bike has been running a while, it seems to start easier. But I do remember a time where it wouldn't start again, after about 10mins of rest. There is oil
. Fresh battery. Tank spits out gas when I disconnect from carb (as expected), and flows freely when put to PRI. The choke lever does work (when bike is running, there is noticable difference in the choke settings.) I usually start the bike on full choke, wait 30 secs, run on half choke for like 5-10 mins, then when it's warm no choke. If I take it off half choke without running it for 5-10mins, it dies when idle. I do live in the harbor, so corrosion is a possibility.
I'm absolutely stumped. I'm at the point where I'm just reading the manual cover-to-cover "just because." Any ideas?
By the way...Hello all, first post! Great forum ya got here
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