Bike won't start after replacing forks ... What the ?

[Phooey]

After having my bike in bits for a month I finally got the re-chromed stanchions back and rebuilt the forks. Got them back on the bike and fitted the front wheel. Was pleased to get the bike off of the bricks ... I know, I don't have a proper stand yet.

Anyway, because the bike has been layed up for so long and now that it was off of the bricks I decided to put the key in and give her a turnover. The engine turns over but doesn't fire up. No firing at all!

I still have all of the front fairing with lights and indicator electrics disconnected and I was just wondering if there was something with all of this disconnected that prevented the firing. Something like a safety device? Or is it possible that I could have disturbed something when taking it apart? If so, what could it be? Everytime I do a mechanical repair I seem to create another problem.

[eastanglianbiker]

if you have still got the switch gear disconnected then the kill switch will be working plug right hand switch gear into main loom then put it on run and bike should start at the moment its like its in stop position due to no circuit

[Phooey]

Ah, hopefully that will be it. I thought with the kill switch on kill the engine didn't even turn over.

Thanks mate. Will look at this tomorrow.

[Phooey]

That doesn't seem to be it the only thing that is not connected is the front indicators and headligh.

[Mr Fro]

Sounds silly but have you tried moving the bike about a bit? I've had the carb floats stick before after a shortish lay up. A bit of a jiggle about solved it.

The other thing is to check you've not got a kink or airlock in the fuel line.

[mealexme]

couple of things to check

Did you have much petrol in the tank when you laid the bike up? Does it have enough to start?

Did you turn the fuel tap off?

If it was on bricks, did you catch the side stand switch? It may be worth looking at it to be sure its not damaged

If everything is fine, its problem solving time

I'm not sure how into mechanics you are, but a bike need two fundamental things to run. Fuel and fire.

Fuel - try starting it, if it fails again, remove the spark plug and see if there is any sign of fuel in the chamber.

Spark - test that its firing by connecting it back up to the HT lead and resting the metal part against the engine (don't touch it and be aware there should be a small spark, so be sure there is nothing flammable around) then hit the starter motor. The spark plug should give off a spark

This should tell you if there is an issue with the fueling system or the electrical system and we can help you diagnose it from there

[Phooey]

couple of things to check

Did you have much petrol in the tank when you laid the bike up? Does it have enough to start?

 

Half a tank Alex ... still there.

 

Did you turn the fuel tap off?

 

Should I have done?

 

If it was on bricks, did you catch the side stand switch? It may be worth looking at it to be sure its not damaged

 

Don't think so but my bike wont even turn over if the switch is on (stand down and in gear)

 

If everything is fine, its problem solving time

I'm not sure how into mechanics you are, but a bike need two fundamental things to run. Fuel and fire.

Fuel - try starting it, if it fails again, remove the spark plug and see if there is any sign of fuel in the chamber.

Spark - test that its firing by connecting it back up to the HT lead and resting the metal part against the engine (don't touch it and be aware there should be a small spark, so be sure there is nothing flammable around) then hit the starter motor. The spark plug should give off a spark

This should tell you if there is an issue with the fueling system or the electrical system and we can help you diagnose it from there

 

Will look at this after charging battery. A mate thinks a charge is necessary.

[Tankbag]

I'd get the plugs out & either give em a good clean or fit new ones. If it ran fine before I'd feel it won't be serious & carbs hate standing. Good luck, post up how you get on

[Phooey]

Crazy. Bike turned over fine but not a single attempt at a fire. Nothing. Put battery on charge for an hour and it fired up straight away.

OMG, bikes are querky!

Thanks all I think, hope, problem is solved.

[Tankbag]

Crazy. Bike turned over fine but not a single attempt at a fire. Nothing. Put battery on charge for an hour and it fired up straight away.

OMG, bikes are querky!

Thanks all I think, hope, problem is solved.

 

Easy fix then

My Bandit was a biatch to start after about 2 weeks standing & thinking about it a battery boost usually happened to help with more turning over ooopmh to help the start up.