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

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.

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.

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

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

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

skrapiron -FSO wrote on 03/17/08 at 07:21:39:



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

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...