I'm frustrated!!!

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kustomizer

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Mar 21, 2010
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I started my bike yesterday morning and it started just fine, then went to start it in the afternoon to show my father-in-law how it ran and I couldn't get it started. It would fire for split second every once in awhile but never run. I pulled the plugs and they looked wet so I cleaned them up and let it sit for a few hours and still the same thing. Pulled the plugs again and let it sit overnight. Went out this afternoon to try and get it started so I could go for a ride and the same thing, once in awhile it would fire for a split second, but never run. Then I'd kick and kick, but nothing. What the heck could have happened? I'm frustrated! I'm was just warming up to the idea of not selling it and putting off my other projects for awhile, but now I don't know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Have you tried using brand new plugs? I've found that with modern fuels the only way to clean fouled plugs is to beadblast them. Just using a wire brush and carb cleaner doesn't work and once they've fouled they just won't work.
 
Sounds likes you have gas, how about spark? Is you battery at 12v or more?
 
I agree, 1st thing to do is try a few new plugs and don't trust the 1st few, buy enough for a V8, as I've had brand new ones bad form the get go and lost ride time until more new plugs or old plugs put back in.

I had this happen to my 18 hp mower this week, ran like a champ a month ago, always started right up no matter its temp, but drove me nuts cleaning carb twice and drain tank and filter in case of water. Cleaned one season old plugs to see each spark but not quite a strong as I remember, so put in new plugs and got instant joy.
Just taking a break before mowing last acre today, maybe last time this year.

Other thing was mentioned, electrical connection/path gone sour.
Or even could be your fiber tank dissolving.

hobot
 
I hope you didn't put ethanol gas in a fiberglass tank. Take your carbs off and look at them, that's easy, but I would start with the electrics first. It's easy to pull the plugs and see if you have spark.

Dave
69S
 
If they gotten that wet, they are probably toast and if they are champions throw them as far and hard as you can! Start with a new set and go from there.

Tom
 
TJKII said:
If they gotten that wet, they are probably toast and if they are champions throw them as far and hard as you can! Start with a new set and go from there.

Tom
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I've never had a problem with Champion spark plugs in my Commando, or any other plugs for that matter. I've probably put the most miles on NGK BP7ES, because they're the easiest to find, Champions N7YC probably the second most miles. I probably change the plugs every 5,000 miles or so because they're cheap, I'd imagine you could probably go over 10,000 miles without any issues.

-Eric
 
Luck of the draw, Champions were how I learned plugs could be bad right out the box. Never had issue with them prior nor since. NKG's that sparked sitting on head of my mower, failed to start it, just sitting a month, when all else we go through on Cdo's failed, above Commando lesion came to mind, I bought new NKG's and volia first crank start. So you tell us what solves your problem and we all learn and add to our long list, each which gives same symptoms. I was just teasing about dissolved fiber tank, but if ya have one, its no joke.
 
bsaboss said:
Have you tried using brand new plugs? I've found that with modern fuels the only way to clean fouled plugs is to beadblast them. Just using a wire brush and carb cleaner doesn't work and once they've fouled they just won't work.
Click to expand...
No, but they only have about 20 miles on them, so they are practically new.
 
pvisseriii said:
Sounds likes you have gas, how about spark? Is you battery at 12v or more?
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It kind of fires for a second, usually on the first try then nothing, so I think there is spark, but will be one of the things I check tomorrow. I did run the battery down pretty good, so it is on the trickle charge over night.
 
Thanks for the info. I will stop for a new set of plugs after work and put those in before I try starting it. Fingers crossed!!!
 
ewgoforth said:
TJKII said:
If they gotten that wet, they are probably toast and if they are champions throw them as far and hard as you can! Start with a new set and go from there.

Tom
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem with Champion spark plugs in my Commando, or any other plugs for that matter. I've probably put the most miles on NGK BP7ES, because they're the easiest to find, Champions N7YC probably the second most miles. I probably change the plugs every 5,000 miles or so because they're cheap, I'd imagine you could probably go over 10,000 miles without any issues.

-Eric
Click to expand...

eric
i have 29,000 miles on set of ngk's. if every thing is right it should not eat sparkplugs
 
I would reckon you have sooted the plugs the day before, they would not have got hot enough to self clean, then over fueled the next day killing the spark. The next time this happens try switching off the ignition, with the choke off and do not tickle, hold the throttle wide open and kick it over a few times. Do not tickle or choke just switch her on and try again.

Cash
 
Check your kill switch , making sure the contacts are square and not bridging. Clean would help too. Also check your solder connections on the mount.
 
Charged battery didn't make a difference, so I will get new plugs and look into these other possible issues. Thanks for all your input.
 
kustomizer said:
Charged battery didn't make a difference, so I will get new plugs and look into these other possible issues. Thanks for all your input.
Click to expand...

Have you confirmed that you're not getting a spark?

What kind of ignition do you have: Points, Boyer, Tri-Spark, Rita, etc? What kind of coils do you have?

The steps to diagnose a no-spark condition are different for the type of ignition used.

With a Boyer you can trigger a spark by pulling touching the points wires together.

With any of them it should spark when you kick the bike over with the ignition on. You might want to invest in a coil tester, you clip it to the cylinder fins and see if it sparks.

For example:

http://www.amazon.com/OEM-25069-Adjusta ... B0014WDFLY

It makes a bigger, easier-to-see spark than the spark plug will and gives a better test of whether you're putting out a hot enough spark to actually ignite the fuel/air mixture.

-Eric
 
How long since the bike was last run? A crankcase full of oil from wetsumping will give those exact symptoms. When I first got my 750 I had the same problem. Took me six months to figure it out. Actually I never did figure it out. I hooked up with our local Norton club and someone else figured it out for me.

Debby
 
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