Bike just won't start!

[RavenousPirate]

Hey everyone,

Haven't started the motorcycle for a few months due to it needing maintenance and the whole winter thing.

Trying to get it started again, and it will turn over but it just won't fire. I've tried a few simple things like replacing the spark plug and push starting the bike but I can't get it to go. Any suggestions?

[mole2]

If it sat for a couple of months the fuel in the carb may have evaporated. Did you set the fuel switch on PRI (prime) for a few mintues before attempting to start to try and prime the carb?

[alantf]

Have you tried flicking the red kill switch on & off a few times? Usually works for me when it won't start up straight away.

[mrlmd1]

Make sure the battery is FULLY charged.

[burkbuilds]

All of the above and one more, if the gas had 10% ethanol in it, that stuff goes bad pretty quickly and just won't fire. If none of the above tips work, drain the gas completely out and start fresh.

[RavenousPirate]

I've set the fuel switch to prime and fully charged the battery. Haven't tried flicking the kill switch or completely changing out the gas so I'll give that a shot after work today. Thanks!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by RavenousPirate

I've set the fuel switch to prime and fully charged the battery. Haven't tried flicking the kill switch or completely changing out the gas so I'll give that a shot after work today. Thanks!

When you changed the plugs, did you do a "spark test" ??
Are you using the choke ?? Folks in Fla. sometimes don't know what a choke IS !! :biggrin:

After that, a little starting fluid (ether) might help get it going.

[RavenousPirate]

Haha, yeah I'm using the choke. I've also put some starting fluid into the gas and nothing.

However, I don't know what a "spark test" is. Explain, please =D

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by RavenousPirate

However, I don't know what a "spark test" is. Explain, please =D

You take a loose spark plug, connect the wire to it and lay it against the frame or head. When you run the starter and the engine turns over, you should be able to see/hear a spark jump across the plug gap. If you have an old plug in reasonably good condition, you do NOT have to remove the "working" plug to do the test.

Starter fluid (ether) is applied a tiny bit at time into the air cleaner.....NOT into the gas tank.

You should get into the habit of reading the lables on ALL products that you use !! :cool:

The choke should not be left completely ON for more than a couple of seconds; then move it to about half.

[RavenousPirate]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Starter fluid (ether) is applied a tiny bit at time into the air cleaner.....NOT into the gas tank.

You should get into the habit of reading the lables on ALL products that you use !! :cool:

Er, sorry, not starting fluid... I put fuel treatment into the fuel. Had the two confused.

However, speaking of starting fluid, I did try to use it today. Can told me to spray it for about 3 seconds into the air intake and then try to start, which I did. The engine fired but died out immediately... Turned the throttle a few more times and it started making a clicking noise. After trying to start it over the last couple of days the battery is about dead. Do you think this would work once I'm able to get the battery fully charged? Or is there something else I should look into?

Haven't tried the spark test because I don't know what you mean by the wire. Very very new to this :-D