Off Topic ..... Sorry but ????

[8LEGS]

They chip and sealed our road this month, so I haven't rode the motorcycle for a few weeks. Anyway, went to ride yesterday and the battery was dead. I put the charger on it and now have full charge but it still won't start. It turns over but doesn't seem to catch. I am off to work for a couple hours today and was going to go to the local shop to pick up some seafoam. I was thinking the gas may have went bad. I'll have Dad check the plug .... I'm clueless. Anything else I should try? Oh, it was runnung fine when I parked it in the garage. Thanks in advance.

Sorry about posting in here, but I didn't see an off topic area in the forum.

TIA
Tina

 

[Monique]

I had a simialr issue two days after picking up my Spyder - all battery operated parts worked fine on start up (gauges, lights etc.) except the bike just wouldn't start - it seemed to be missing just a little "umpf". My husband had to give me a push and I popped the clutch to get it going. The dealer replaced the battery immediately - appears some models just had bad batteries so that starting them was hit and miss. (while I do not know the exact technical cause I was told a part of the battery had shorted out ) Glad to report my "little pumpkin" has been fine ever since and will be getting it's first service tomorrow !

 

[Roaddog2]

I had a simialr issue two days after picking up my Spyder - all battery operated parts worked fine on start up (gauges, lights etc.) except the bike just wouldn't start - it seemed to be missing just a little "umpf". My husband had to give me a push and I popped the clutch to get it going. The dealer replaced the battery immediately - appears some models just had bad batteries so that starting them was hit and miss. (while I do not know the exact technical cause I was told a part of the battery had shorted out ) Glad to report my "little pumpkin" has been fine ever since and will be getting it's first service tomorrow !

I would have them test ur battery sounds ng.

 

[8LEGS]

Thanks for the replies. When I say Motorcycle, I mean my 2 wheeler, as I don't have my spyder yet. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[NancysToy]

New plugs usually do the job.
-Scotty

 

[8LEGS]

New plugs usually do the job.
-Scotty

Well, changed the plug, put seafoam in tank, still no luck. I guess I'll be taking the tank off and checking the fuel lines tomorrow after work. :-(

 

[bjt]

It turns over but doesn't seem to catch. I am off to work for a couple hours today and was going to go to the local shop to pick up some seafoam. I was thinking the gas may have went bad. I'll have Dad check the plug ....

I would check to be sure you are getting a spark at the plug. If so, the next thing would be to determine if the fuel is getting to the cylinder. It gets more complicated if you verify that both those are happening and its still not firing.

 

[NancysToy]

BJT is right on target. Fuel and spark are the keys. If no fuel, check fuel filter, or for water in the carb, if so equipped. If no spark, clean points, if it has them, or replace the ignition module. BTW, the spark needs to be strong and bluish, not yellowish and weak. That can indicate plug wires or caps breaking down.
-Scotty

 

[8LEGS]

ok, I'm good with computers not engines. lol. How do I check to see if there is spark at the plug? My Dad, bless his heart, was trying to assist me get this thing running. The plug we removed was black and smelled really bad. After putting in the new plug and trying to stert it, he removed the plug to look at it and smelled it ????? He said it wasn't getting gas?? I guess the plug was not smelly? I don't know. He is usually really good at fixing my yamaha raptor when things go wrong. Even helped me put in a stage 2 jet kit in it, I think he is baffle at this one.

I'm of to bed in a few, but will look at it after work tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice!!!

 

[NancysToy]

ok, I'm good with computers not engines. lol. How do I check to see if there is spark at the plug? My Dad, bless his heart, was trying to assist me get this thing running. The plug we removed was black and smelled really bad. After putting in the new plug and trying to stert it, he removed the plug to look at it and smelled it ????? He said it wasn't getting gas?? I guess the plug was not smelly? I don't know. He is usually really good at fixing my yamaha raptor when things go wrong. Even helped me put in a stage 2 jet kit in it, I think he is baffle at this one.

I'm of to bed in a few, but will look at it after work tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice!!!

OK, if the new plug was wet, you probably have no spark. Put a known good plug in the plug wire (out of the engine), ground it against the engine, crank the motor, and look for a spark. Should be strong, with a bluish color in it. Strong sunlight will make it more difficult to see. You should be able to hear it "crackle" too. If you have spark and the plug was wet, the engine is flooded. Carb float could be sticking, too much choke, or the earlier tries fouled things. Crank it a few times with the plug out, put in a fresh one, and try again. If it doesn't start right away, open the throttle all the way and try once more. Sometimes they will catch that way.

If the plug was dry, you probably don't have fuel flowing. Check the filter, or for a plugged or dirty carb. Pull off the fuel line at the carb, turn on the gas, and watch for fuel flow. If that is OK, clean the carb. Of course all this advice goes out the window with fuel pumps and fuel injection. Gets more complicated then. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
-Scotty

 

[8LEGS]

It's fixed. I changed the plug and tried the things you suggested, it was dry. Anyway, long story short, it started today and is runnung strong, in fact, I think it is running better than before.

Sooooo, Thank You all for the help.

:2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[bjt]

The suspense is killing me.

Can you tell us what the problem was? I'll laugh if you say the fuel valve was off or something silly like that. :joke: :joke:

 

[NancysToy]

Glad you're back on the road. Watch out for that remaining loose gravel at the corners.
-Scotty

 

[8LEGS]

The filter was clogged up with what looked like sand. ??? I was having trouble finding the problem so my pops helped me. (he did most the work)... Anyway, I'm good to go now, and only 4 more months and I'm ordering my Spyder ... :2thumbs: Would love to order 1 now, but I promised myself all bills had to be paid off first. So by the end of the year things should be good. I can't wait.