Hi all, bit frustrated today as bike won't start. Turns over well, fuel good etc and plugs look OK. Last used couple weeks ago. Took the airbox cover off and noticed some slight spitting from the RHS intake, maybe normal. Having said that, I did notice some mild backfiring once or twice when last riding. Plugs are wet so fuel getting thru it seems. Could the leads or igniters have developed a sudden problem? Thanks in advance
Battery? Cold weather is a battery killer. Even though it spins over happily, it maybe missing the extra to spark, as the wet plugs suggest. Maybe try giving the battery a top up charge, but IMHO, battery tenders are no use for that, an old school car charger for 30 minutes should do it.
Battery is fairly new and fully charged. Just found Haynes manual which suggests a method to check if sparks being produced. Kill switch is in the run position btw.
check the starter solenoid seem to think somewhere in the back of my mind the connector can come loose and cause the engine to spin over but no spark if it is the issue think I used a bit of silicone gasket sealer on the connector to help it stay together and not vibrate loose
Nothing fancy - both plugs out and replaced in the HT caps, plugs propped against the heads so that the end electrode or thread has direct metal to metal contact with the head, push the starter and watch the plug electrode gap for sparks. If strong (blue) sparks aren’t obvious, the sparks aren’t strong enough.
Problem resolved after trying the spark plug test above, thanks. The sparks were clearly visible although whether they could be classed as "strong" or otherwise I'm not sure. Battery showing 13.3v. While I was at it, I upgraded the earth strap lead to 16mm tinned marine grade, to match the start +ve leads which I'd previously fitted (massive difference in starting). I also cleaned up all contact points for the leads connecting to the battery. I did spot this poorly fitted end of the choke cable, which won't be helping. Although the choke does visibly operate at the carb end. The bike now seems to start ok, although it takes a few turns admittedly. Took it for a run and one thing I have noticed is that I'm getting some "popping" noises occasionally from the exhaust, which seems to be a new thing. The bike is otherwise in fine shape, only 7k and fully serviced. So now something else to problem solve and rectify... any thoughts on this new symptom?
Use Super Unleaded petrol, mine starts much better with it. I only use Supermarket petrol to get to the next proper filling station and always refill with Super ASAP thereafter, it may cost more but I reckon I get better performance (and MPG if I ever ride steady) - that unleaded E10 stuff is Piss.
Yep, I only ever use E5. Many years ago when I had a Fiat Panda 750, which needed to be revved pretty hard to maintain progress (and enjoyment natch), I once filled up with Supermarket petrol and it suffered from terrible pinking for the whole tankful. It left me stuck in the outside lane of a motorway, with a BMW up me chuff when the git in the middle lane increased his speed to 78 mph and the Panda could do no more... ho hum.
ck_uk, I just fettling my carbs at the minute. I too noticed an ill fitting choke cable, as yours mine did operate but the end was hanging out of the housing as per your picture, would be intrested if anyone has a fix or is it a case of "they all do tha sir". After a few weeks of not starting I had problems starting - I was traced to not turning the fuel tap back on. I stand to be corrected but is popping a lean mixture, not rich enough to be ignited in cylinder but ignites in exhaust? What do the plugs look like? I have only used the ESSO Supreme 99+ so far (some reports say it has zero ethanol or very little). Cheers Gaz
TBF I do use a mixture of super unleaded and regular, but even on a tank of regular I wasn't getting the popping. This is a new symptom. However, I have just located my nearest ESSO station, so will try that for the next fill up. Thanks
just to clarify does the popping happen when accelerating or when slowing down when the throttle is closed
My 900SS pops and bangs on the first ‘aggressive’ throttle open of each ride which is always a bit alarming but thereafter is absolutely fine. It happens each ride no matter if I’ve done 15 miles riding before I give it some beams. Someone said it might be the carbs that need setting up but I have no clue.
My lad rides a Aprilia sx50, there is a very noticeable difference in both performance and economy with E10. Although his budget is limited he always uses E5 as he gets better speed and MPG.
