 Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
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Hi everyone. I have searched the forum, and read some info that helps. But I thought I would post here as well for some additional guidance. My husband was deployed for a few months, and while he was gone he had me start up his bike weekly. I would say it started about 90% of the time without issue, and just a few times it took a few tries to get it started. Since my husband has gotten home he has ridden it about 10 times, with the goal to run the old gas out. The bike still has the old gas in it, since each weekend he planned to ride it for a longer ride to get the old gas out the weather was bad. Well the other day he went to start it up, put the key in (so the lights were on,) then had to go break up a scuffle with our dogs and forgot he had left his key in the bike. So of course the battery was dead. We tried to charge it, which didn't work so we went and bought a replacement battery on Wed. New battery is installed, and he has power. When he tried to start the bike, no go. I don't know the tech. term, but it sounds like it is trying to start, but it isn't getting enough gas to fully start. He unscrewed the gas cap, and we added Seafoam last night. After adding the Seafoam it would get very close to starting (closest it has gotten yet) but again never fully started. We went out to try it again this morning, and we are back to where we were before adding the Seafoam.
I told him after reading posts here, it is probably dirty gas (he didn't put any fuel stabilizer in it before he left since we thought it would be ok as long as I started it weekly.) Could you all offer any guidance on what we should do next? We have a bottle of Sta-Bil, but I wasn't sure if it would make any difference to add that at this point. Does he just need to drain the fuel? He really doesn't know much (mechanically), especially since this is his first bike. So if he needs to drain the fuel, and guidance on this would be great. We have the Triumph Manual, but I didn't see anything regarding draining the fuel (although I will look again.)
So any suggestions on what to do from here would be great. We would take it in, but we are in Harleyland where bike shops only work on Harleys. There is a Triumph guy in a nearby city, but my husband is getting ready to leave for a military school on Sunday so we couldn't take the bike for quiet a while. Obviously we now know that we need to put Sta-Bil in his bike when he is planning to be gone or not ride a lot (even if I am starting it) just to be safe from now on:)
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I would start by opening the carb drains (small screws in the side of the floatbowls) to make sure fuel is flowing. Old gas can tend to get sticky as it evaporates and it also forms a sort of crystalline deposit that tends to plug up fuel screens.
It could be that the float valves are stuck shut or the screen on the fuel valve is clogged. Also, where the fuel line connects to the T fitting between the carbs, there is another filter screen that could be clogged. This is a tube shaped screen that goes in the opening of the T fitting.
You are right about Stabil, it only works if you put it into fresh gas. At this point it won't do much to help.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
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OP
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Joined: May 2008
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Thank you! I will pass that info on to my husband. We have all day Saturday to try and figure this out, and hopefully we can get her started.
I just went out to try to start it again, and now it is making a ticking type noise as though it has no fuel:(
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Quote:
I just went out to try to start it again, and now it is making a ticking type noise as though it has no fuel:(
Is the motor actually turning over? Sounds like you might need to charge the battery up before trying again.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Member
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OP
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53 |
Quote:
Is the motor actually turning over? Sounds like you might need to charge the battery up before trying again.
I will do my best to describe how it sounds...
Yesterday it sounded as though it was trying to start (the typical noise the bike makes when starting if you don't give it enough gas.) Today it starts to make the same sound and then quickly stops making that sound and starts a loud ticking (sort of like a mini jackhammer noise) that seems to be coming from the right side of the bike (opposite side of the battery) below and to the right of where the seat and tank meet. I wouldn't think it is the battery since the battery is brand new and fully charged. But please let me know if you think differently.
When I get home from work if my husband can better explain the noise (in a less girly way, and more mechanically) I will have him post:)
Thanks again!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6 |
dead battery, the ticking is the starter solenoid. charge it up, and try again
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Member
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OP
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53 |
Quote:
dead battery, the ticking is the starter solenoid. charge it up, and try again
S*@T, we just bought this battery (two days ago.) Should we take it back to the battery store and have them test it? If the battery is dead, would all of the lights still be able to come on? I noticed when my husband tried to start it that the head light dimmed, but he said that was normal. I wouldn't think the issue would be how he connected it, since it is just the red and black cables that screw into the battery terminals. But I will say that he was having trouble getting his chrome battery cover to fit back over the new battery. I do know that the new battery is the exact same size battery as the one we had (I double checked it at the battery store.)
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
pics for greybeard's prose: Draining the bowls. 3mm allen wrench. some tubing and a hose  The hidden filter. your husband will need to use your smaller hand...This pic is with the carbs on my bench.  SeaFoam will clean the jets and help wipe away the gas residue (varnish) but the SeaFoam has to flow through to clean. Thus draining the bowls will do this in an extremely minor way. What draining the bowls will do is tell you if you are getting gas to the bowls. Turn the petcock off. Drain a bowl. With the bowl drain still opened turn the petcock back on to observe (or not) fuel flow, then turn the petcock back off and repeat for the other bowl. Smell the gas that drained. A burnished colour or a funky smell will tell you the gas has gone south. If you have bad gas, drain it all out. Having added the seafoam already, drain the gas using either or both bowl drains. Passing gas so to say. You can drain from the petcock too. Regarding the thought that the float needle(s) might be gummed up into their seat(s) a gentle tapping on the area of the bowls might free them up. However, when you turned the petcock on with the drain open, and fuel flowed, that needle is not stuck in the seat. Should gas not flow, Gentle now, use a rubber mallet as these are soft metal and will break if you hammer it hard. I am writing backwards, should gas not flow from either carb bowl with the petcock turned on, Disconnect the fuel line from the petcock and drain some gas from the petcock. Good. Now the next place that might be clogged would be that itty bitty filter, see above pic. Don't get sceered. chances are just draining the gas and charging the battery will get him rolling again. You will have to charge the battery. The clicking you heard is telling me that. When you get this sorted out, run at least two tank fulls of fuel mixed with seafoam through (by running the motosickle). Not on the sidestand but by stretching the throttle cables.  Then always use a double dose of stabil whenever he will be away for a while. God bless you and your husband for your service! Merry Christmas! P.S.: Here are some pictures of removing the carbs. From disconnecting the fuel line at the petcock to well having them on the bench. Disregard the photos of the removing the manifolds. Here is some betterer detailed destructions per our fearless yankee brewmaster, lord iamanasshole dinqua  
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Should we take it back to the battery store and have them test it? Only if they can charge it up for you! Or for peace of mind.If the battery is dead, would all of the lights still be able to come on? Yes. They draw nothing vis-a-vis the starter. I noticed when my husband tried to start it that the head light dimmed, but he said that was normal. The head light should not dim, it should turn off while cranking. (The dimming you saw was not a dimming but the headlight turned off with a little tiny indicator bulb remaining lit in the headlight bucket)(Which is not enough to see with when rolling through the tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, i digress)  I wouldn't think the issue would be how he connected it, since it is just the red and black cables that screw into the battery terminals. But I will say that he was having trouble getting his chrome battery cover to fit back over the new battery. I do know that the new battery is the exact same size battery as the one we had (I double checked it at the battery store. Have him ensure the battery connections are tight after reinstall, post recharge.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
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OP
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Thanks you guys! I told him all of this over the phone, but will have him check this out once I get home.
Thanks again!!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
Evan a new battery needs to be charged to bring it to a full charge. Most places will do that for you when you buy one but not all.Some you would need to ask them to. I would ask to have one checked even if they said it was fully charged and sitting on a shelf. Most good battery places keep them dry until you buy one then add the acid and charge them to ensure it is a good battery. It is possible for the lights to come on but not have enough juice to crank the starter.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Even a "new" battery can have one or more bad cells. It happens.
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Could you confirm that you are using the choke when you try to start the bike? If you are and have been, the engine might be flooded. Can you get someone to pull a plug and see if it is wet? If so, dry/clean/replace the spark plugs and try again.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Member
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OP
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53 |
Quote:
Evan a new battery needs to be charged to bring it to a full charge. Most places will do that for you when you buy one but not all.Some you would need to ask them to. I would ask to have one checked even if they said it was fully charged and sitting on a shelf. Most good battery places keep them dry until you buy one then add the acid and charge them to ensure it is a good battery. It is possible for the lights to come on but not have enough juice to crank the starter.
They did fill it for us at the store, but we will pull it off and either charge it or take it back to the store to have them check it today.
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53 |
Quote:
Could you confirm that you are using the choke when you try to start the bike? If you are and have been, the engine might be flooded. Can you get someone to pull a plug and see if it is wet? If so, dry/clean/replace the spark plugs and try again.
Yes we are using the choke when trying to start the bike. I will pass this info on to my husband, and we will try this if the other steps don't work.
Thanks!!!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53 |
Quote:
The hidden filter. your husband will need to use your smaller hand...This pic is with the carbs on my bench.
SeaFoam will clean the jets and help wipe away the gas residue (varnish) but the SeaFoam has to flow through to clean. Thus draining the bowls will do this in an extremely minor way. What draining the bowls will do is tell you if you are getting gas to the bowls. Turn the petcock off. Drain a bowl. With the bowl drain still opened turn the petcock back on to observe (or not) fuel flow, then turn the petcock back off and repeat for the other bowl. Smell the gas that drained. A burnished colour or a funky smell will tell you the gas has gone south. If you have bad gas, drain it all out. Having added the seafoam already, drain the gas using either or both bowl drains. Passing gas so to say. You can drain from the petcock too. Regarding the thought that the float needle(s) might be gummed up into their seat(s) a gentle tapping on the area of the bowls might free them up. However, when you turned the petcock on with the drain open, and fuel flowed, that needle is not stuck in the seat. Should gas not flow, Gentle now, use a rubber mallet as these are soft metal and will break if you hammer it hard. I am writing backwards, should gas not flow from either carb bowl with the petcock turned on, Disconnect the fuel line from the petcock and drain some gas from the petcock. Good. Now the next place that might be clogged would be that itty bitty filter, see above pic. Don't get sceered. chances are just draining the gas and charging the battery will get him rolling again.
You will have to charge the battery. The clicking you heard is telling me that.
When you get this sorted out, run at least two tank fulls of fuel mixed with seafoam through (by running the motosickle). Not on the sidestand but by stretching the throttle cables. Then always use a double dose of stabil whenever he will be away for a while.
God bless you and your husband for your service! Merry Christmas!
P.S.: Here are some pictures of removing the carbs. From disconnecting the fuel line at the petcock to well having them on the bench. Disregard the photos of the removing the manifolds.
Here is some betterer detailed destructions per our fearless yankee brewmaster, lord iamanasshole dinqua
Ok, we have looked over the pics and figured out how to drain the bowls. Although what we can't tell from the pictures is where the hidden filter is located since his carbs are on the bike. Can anyone offer some guidance as to where to look for the tube that has the hidden filter while the carbs are on the bike?
Also I am pretty sure I see where the fuel comes into the petcock. Should we remove that tube from the petcock and drain as well?
Just FYI, the battery is good. The clicking is only happening when we use the choke to try and start the bike.
Again, thanks for the guidance on this. We really have no clue what we are doing when it comes to this kind of stuff.
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
Quote:
Just FYI, the battery is good. The clicking is only happening when we use the choke to try and start the bike.
ok if it's still making that clicking noise... and you say the battery is good .. the check all your fuses and clean where they each one sets in the fuses box and use some DIELECTRIC GREASE ON ALL YOUR "electrical connections"
and put in NEW SET OF PLUGS...
right now everything you say why the bike won't start has noting to do with fuel.....
it's ELECTRICAL YOUR NOT GETTING THE FULL POWER FROM YOUR BATTERY TO THE STARTER THAT IS WHY IT'S JUST CLICKING...
ED 
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53 |
We have lift off!!! We drained the bowls and she started right up. It didn't run too smooth at first, but after a bit (I guess it took a bit for the seafoam to run through her) she is doing fine. Andrew is off to ride her around the neighborhood, then off to refuel (more seafoam) and then a longer ride to try and clear her out.
I can't thank you all enough for the help! Andrew says he owes you all some beer!!!!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 6 |
nice, I like beer! 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Great news. Just take the bike for a good run. That should get the battery charged and clean things out.
And thank you.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457 |
Quote:
Although what we can't tell from the pictures is where the hidden filter is located since his carbs are on the bike. Can anyone offer some guidance as to where to look for the tube that has the hidden filter while the carbs are on the bike?
We really have no clue what we are doing when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Glad you got it sorted out.
With the tank off, follow the fuel line to the connection on the tee on the carbs. There is a little spring clamp holding the fuel line on. Loosen the clamp, slide it up the fuel line a ways, and pull the line off the tee. The little filter is down in there. It is difficult to get to with the carbs on the bike. I used several different straight and bent needle nosed pliers. The hardest part was trying to re-connect the line.
You can save a ton of money and inconvenience doing your own maintenance and troubleshooting, just be careful and check everything twice. A little fuel leak and resulting fire could ruin your whole day.
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
Quote:
We have lift off!!! We drained the bowls and she started right up. It didn't run too smooth at first, but after a bit (I guess it took a bit for the seafoam to run through her) she is doing fine. Andrew is off to ride her around the neighborhood, then off to refuel (more seafoam) and then a longer ride to try and clear her out.
I can't thank you all enough for the help! Andrew says he owes you all some beer!!!!
Sounds to me like you may have had some condensation in the gas if simply draining the bowls did it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Someone please help me understand what the clicking noise has to do with the choke...
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
I think the click when it is pulled or the other click when it is pushed in. Other than that there is choke related click that I am aware of.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,440 |
Quote:
there is choke related click
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
Dinah,
In the future I would suggest adding fuel additive (stabilizer, Sea Foam or whatever). Run the bike, turn the petcock to off and run the bike another minute. Shut it down and then after it has cooled drain both carb bowls, and just charge the battery once in a while. I wouldn't suggest starting the bike once in while unless you plan to ride it.
This last summer between work and vacation I didn't start my bike for over 2 months (June 20th to Sept 5). Prior to departing on the business trip I did the above and connected the Battery Tender Jr for about 4 hours before leaving. When I got back to starting the bike all I did was connect the battery tender for about 4 hours, opened the petcock and shut it off, pulled the choke out about half way, turned the key on (waited about 20 seconds) and hit the started. The bike started within 2 seconds, I turned the gas back on, and adjusted the choke.
The first time I went on a long business trip (4 week trip) after getting my America I didn't do this, and it took me over 2 minutes to get the bike to fire up when I got back home.
Tom
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
you need to get your endorsement and keep your husband's motorsickle running properly! Glad you two got it sorted. Little things that seem way big will seem way small after a while. Wrenching is a pain at first, but after you realize that you can wrench and you can use the $$ you don’t give the stealership, to tool yourself up with, well, you can spend a lot more $$ on chromaholictical addictions or such. Or a baby carriage.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 315
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 315 |
is it ok to jump a motorcycle off with a normal car battery?
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Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
battery yes, but I wouldn't start the car.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Bike Won't Start
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807 |
Hi, Dinah. Glad you got it sorted. I think Moe has already said what I'm about to say and that is, why don't you get a licence (endorsement?) so you can ride when hubby's away? When he gets back, you can get your own bike and his will be all ready to ride. You could even get your licence without his knowledge and surprise him! 
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