Guest Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Went for a longer ride today, got home and then about 15 minutes later had to go out again, going to start the bike up, the starter button sounded really clunky every time it tried to get the engine to turn over, clunkclunkclunk, and the only way to get it to start is to press the starter and give it throttle at the same time.I'm not particularly mechanically minded but my gut is telling me maybe a new sparkplug? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Could be the plug. Whip it out and check the condition/gap. You say you're not mechanically minded - it's not a hard one to do so if you don't know how to do it either look in the manual or ask on this thread Mine has a similar problem, but I just blip the throttle everytime I start it now. I noticed the mechanic did the same thing everytime he started a bike while I was getting my MOT done...I guess it's a common problem/feature/characteristic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_on_a_bike Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Spark plugs won't effect the noise the starter makes. Is the battery perhaps a bit tired? and it's just chugging over slower than usual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Spark plugs won't effect the noise the starter makes. Is the battery perhaps a bit tired? and it's just chugging over slower than usual? True, the starter motor itself wouldn't sound any different. But would a bad plug not make the overall sound of the bike trying to start sound a bit clunky?I agree with the battery idea. The best way to check that is to get a multimeter (less than a tenner) and make sure it's around 12.8V. However if there's really not enough juice getting to the starter motor, the starter relay switch would start buzzing/clicking.I'd say check the plug, because you can do it yourself so it's free. If that looks good then check the battery with a nice new multimeter...or borrow one off a mate (everyone should have one!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_on_a_bike Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Get the spark plug out, then plug it back in to the HT lead. hold the spark plug BY THE RUBBER OF THE HT LEAD then hold the nut of the plug against the engine casing. Hit the starter button and look for a good consistent bright blue/purple spark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Get the spark plug out, then plug it back in to the HT lead. hold the spark plug BY THE RUBBER OF THE HT LEAD then hold the nut of the plug against the engine casing. Hit the starter button and look for a good consistent bright blue/purple spark. not a good test your the HT lead is kput!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_on_a_bike Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 No pain, no gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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