Starting Problems

Paschcom

Guys
I recently bought a 2002 Yamaha Dragstar 250 with 20k miles, which I have been very happy with up to today! This morning it started fine and I had the choke on while it warmed up and I was getting my gear on - no more than 2 mins. However, before taking off, I knocked off the choke as usual, but then when I went to go it cut out and despite repeated attempts it wouldn't start again. Gave it a few mins and tried again, but still no joy. Had to get to work so took bicycle! Will look at it again this evening.

It feels like the battery may be low, as it was trying to turn over, but just not catching. However, it has been fine to date and I do about 10-15 miles a day - though in city stop-go traffic. I've been told before that this may not be enough to keep a bike battery adequately charged, but I thought with the bigger battery on the bike as opposed to my previous scooter, this wouldn't be such a problem. Any thoughts?

Any other views on what might be causing this problem? I only have it a couple of months, and it was 'supposedly' fully serviced before I got it, so it should be in reasonable shape - though I'll admit I'm far from competent to confirm if it is or not!

BTW, I'm thinking of taking a bike maintenance course. Has anyone done this - any suggestions of places in Dublin?

Cheers
P

faceman

depending on the duration and average speed your battery may not be charging fully. Is that 10-15 miles one way or in total? Then again you could have flooded the engine this morning unknowingly and it could start when you get home.

As for courses im not sure. There used to be course but in one of the colleges but i think it has stopped? I know bikeworld take in apprentice mechanics. Someone else might be able to advise you on this one.

sutty

Just a thought, but you do have fuel in the bike right and the fuel tap set to the right position? Almost sounds like you ran out of fuel in the main part of the tank and need to switch to the res. To do this, start the bike on prime and then once its running, switch it to res. But when you get fuel and you should ASAP, dont forget to switch it back.

I done one of the 10 week courses on the north side with Martin Cummins. Was well worth the 98 euro or what ever it was that I spent on it. I've just done a complete firing change and brake services (oil and dust seals) on a CBR 250rr with the training I got from the course. As well as a host of other things on that bike and on a Ducati S4r. So in short well worth a look into the courses for the Basic stuff. Will save you a ton in the long run.

Paschcom

Thanks. Yes I thought I might have flooded it, and so left it for a few minutes before trying again with no success. Maybe i should have left it longer?

BTW, I did run out of fuel last week - luckily, I had felt it was going and made a beeline for the nearest garage and got there just in time. I did all the prime stuff to get it going again, once filled and its been working fine since. I guess this might be likely to give after effects? ie. it may have allowed some dirt into the lines if it was running low and this could have caused the problem now. However, as its been going well since, it seems unlikely.

I'll let you know what happens tonight when i get home! fingers crossed it resolved itself.

Sutty, do you have a number for Martin Cummins? It sounds like what I'm after. Where abouts is he based?
cheers

gipi

If it turns out to be the battery, can I suggest you head to Lidl and pick up one of their battery chargers, currently (no pun intended!) available for 10 euro or so.

I've a Suzuki Marauder 250 which was laid up for winter, battery was flat when I tried to start it earlier this week but one night's charging with the Lidl charger and I was up and away again!

A useful item to have!

Paschcom

Got home and it started first time, so panic over, I'm back on the road! Guess I must have flooded it and just didn't give it long enough before trying again.

I actually have one of those chargers, can't remember if it was Aldi or Lidl, so might just throw the battery on it for a night, just in case.
Thanks again

Esel

Trick to starting a flooded engine is: choke off, throttle open fully.

Also, letting the bike tickover on choke is a very bad idea. The rich fuel/air mix washes away lubrication. You should be sitting on the bike ready to drive away before you fire it up. Turn choke off almost immediately.

Jonty

Letting it run out of petrol is a bad idea, dirt can get into the carbs.

SlabMurphy

I had a similiar problem, found out it was the rectifier. Here was the test -

With the battery in, and preferably fully charged, check the volts across the poles, it should be 12+, if not it will be written on the battery.
Now, turn it on and let it tick over at normal revs (not on the choke).
Check it again, it should now read abour 13+.

Rev the bike to about 6k, then check it again, it should now be in the 14V range.

If any of these do not tally, the most likely cause the rectifier and you need a new one. Depending on the bike you may need to get a mechanic to do it as some models of bike put them in a difficult place to get to them.

Appearently they are made up of a circuit consisting of several electronic diodes. Some of the diodes wear out etc, but the system can still function but only recharge at 2/3 or 1/3 efficentcy.

sutty

The site for the courses is http://www.pobalscoilrosmini.ie/night.html The course code is T13. Its a 10 week course. Its really worth it, thanks to it, I've just taken all the brake calipers off Oldyellars CBR250 and replaced all the dust seals as well as serviced the pistons and redone the brake fluid in the lines. I've also done alot of work on it over the past few months. Carb balances, Oil changes, Electrics testing and a striping down to frame and engine. To be honest, it has to have been €90+ I spend in a long time. I've already saved 5 times over in service costs! on that bike alone... not to mention things I've done on my Ducati S4r

Thinkingaboutit

Push starting might be an idea. I never had to push start my XVS 250, but the VN800 was easy for start, so there should be no problem. The trickle chargers might be a good buy.