I'm frustrated!!!

kustomizer · Oct 17, 2010

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.

KEV-C · Oct 17, 2010

Kill switch??

bsaboss · Oct 17, 2010

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.

pete.v · Oct 17, 2010

Sounds likes you have gas, how about spark? Is you battery at 12v or more?

Hobot · Oct 17, 2010

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

DogT · Oct 17, 2010

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

TJKII · Oct 17, 2010

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

ewgoforth · Oct 17, 2010

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

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

Hobot · Oct 17, 2010

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.

kustomizer · Oct 17, 2010

KEV-C said:
Kill switch??

It's new

kustomizer · Oct 17, 2010

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.

No, but they only have about 20 miles on them, so they are practically new.

kustomizer · Oct 17, 2010

pvisseriii said:
Sounds likes you have gas, how about spark? Is you battery at 12v or more?

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.

kustomizer · Oct 17, 2010

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!!!

bill · Oct 18, 2010

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

eric
i have 29,000 miles on set of ngk's. if every thing is right it should not eat sparkplugs

travelerjerry · Oct 18, 2010

Check for broken wire that's crimped to push-on connector to blue 2mc capacitor?

cash · Oct 18, 2010

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

850cmndo · Oct 18, 2010

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.

kustomizer · Oct 19, 2010

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.

ewgoforth · Oct 19, 2010

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.

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

debby · Oct 19, 2010

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

I'm frustrated!!!

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