The bikes been sitting on trickle charge, unable to ride obviously since the latest lockdown. I went out to the shed to check that it was charging ok and thought I'd start it. As soon as I powered it on with the keyless fob it tried to start without my pressing the starter. I switched the power off and tried it again and same thing happened. Every time I power it up it up, automatically tries to start. The starter button isn't depressed and moves quite freely. I thought about giving it a quick spray with WD40? Anyone got any ideas?
stuck starter solenoid is common in cold weather for one suggestion. Do you have a meter? you can check for continuity between terminals on starter solenoid and also unplug power lead to same to see if this stops it happening.
I seem to recall some people have had issues with the starter button being a bit unreliable at times. It might be worth checking the contacts. I took mine apart and gave it a clean out last summer. It was a bit fiddly to dismantle, but probably worth a look. The contacts are on a flexi-circuit behind the button, if I remember correctly.
i keep mine on a charger and start it once a week. Had a ride yesterday just to make sure that all is still working as it should be and it was. Need to keep the the forks and skyhook moving. I'd WD40 the switch and do this as a part of my maintenance.
I don't know your exact st/s. type, but a lot of the later ones don't come to pieces easily. After reading above, I remember the switch problem now, not that i've owned one.
If problem is switch don't use wd40 or oil. This actually adds friction to the plastic switch. Clean with contact cleaner or similar.
I know what you mean, overall it's the wrong approach isn't it? Internals get too "slippery" if saturated by several applications but I can remember it saving the day on several bikes when I would have been late if I hadn't tried it as a quick-fix on a bike that had been heavily rained on. Equally, some contact cleaners are not good around some plastic particularly if they don't get a chance for the main content to evaporate - more likely in winter. Typical "damned if you do/damned if you don't" stuff.
I seem to recall that the switches do have little rubber seals, although that might be my memory playing games. My recommendation would very definitely be IPA or brake cleaner on the contacts. As an aside I use gun cleaning oil on my bike. It's really excellent for preventing corrosion, and maintains a nice protective film, so that even when the bike is filthy it cleans up well. Brilliant for restoring black plastics too. I regularly spray it over the switchgear and the steering lock. This is the stuff I use: https://www.napieruk.com/products/g...-or-125ml-aerosol-cans?variant=15046230933570 You can get it on ebay and amazon, and I buy it from my local Mole Valley (farming and outdoors supplies).
I'm not sure where the starter solenoid is located. Is it accessible? I was wondering about the starter relay. I know on the original air cooled Multis the relays were not weatherproof but could be easily and cheaply replaced by with weatherproof ones. If I remember correctly they were the same as fitted to Fiat cars.
I e had a better look at it now and I think the button isn’t coming out properly and it’s semi depressed. What can I lube it with? Everything I’ve read steers me away from oil based lubes as the parts are plastic.
I had this on my ST, knock with rubber hammer sorted it but once seen it shall return. Buy a new one.
My 2013 did this, starter button was sticking, although it didn't look like it. Took it apart and cleaned and a bit of dielectric grease on the moving parts and has been fine since.
