HI guys, I have looked through the first 12 pages on this part of the from to see if this topic was covered, and yeah i see the comments below on the much newer bike. I hired a mechanic mate to come round on Sunday to give me a hand setting up the bike (i insisted on paying for his time). we did the chain then checked all the suspension heights and a couple of other little jobs while drinking tea and eating bacon sandwiches. Mega time - then i went to start the bike after it had been on Li ion optimal charger/maintainer for a few days. It primed and turned over but would not catch. kept trying with the new Li ion battery then put a jump pack on it, wouldn't start. then connected a spare 300CCA gel battery that i have in the garage, wouldn't start. My mate got tore into the bike, had 3 of the plus out and checked them, they wet but otherwise fine - maybe wet due to us trying repeatedly to start the bike... As a few of you will recognise my profile name i am new to this bike and Fireblades so any advice or guidance or "well everyone knows x" would be welcomed. The bike ships to Almeria on 15th for 5 days of riding at the end of April. Please help! Are there things i should be trying, as ever, thanks in advance guys.
Hey Boothman, No we didn't see spark as my mate said we couldn't do that as everything was unplugged/removed to get to the plugs
Need a little more information to get this resolved really. For instance, prior to your bacon roll n tea was she running well or had recently had any issue at all ?
Hey Wes, i've had the bikes for a few weeks and it has never started well from 'cold' once its started it will restart pretty much first press even if left for an hour or so (so i am guessing still warm). We had not started the bike at all as the jobs that we wanted to do did not require the bike to be started - suspension and chain. It was only when went to start the bike that we realised it just wouldn't start. Gary (mech) could hear primer working, and it did turn over, nearly caught once but just didn't.
How old is the fuel or have you recently filled up? If it’s been stood a while it could have separated and drawn water in. Alternatively if you’ve not long since filled up I remember @PauloHRC had his Ducati in the shop for a while (wouldn’t start) and turned out to be shite fuel.
As for fuel I've been using Jet Ultra up to recently as the garage is close by, it's advertised as E5 so I thought it would be average. Started to go back to the Esso dealer for the last few fill ups of their 99octane and the difference is chalk and cheese. Better all round, 25p litre more worth it to me.
Fuel is about a week old mate, bike was dry when i received it so there can be no fuel in there that is older than 4 weeks
Here is a quick video of the bike not starting in case this helps... i gave the air intakes a squirt of carb cleaner but not sure how much i should use so just gave a couple of quick squirts
Sounds like the starter is not engaging properly, does it wind the engine over ok with the kill switch off.
Can you bump start it? If it starts with a rolling bump you can rule out spark plugs etc. It would then be narrowed down to starter motor. Did you check for a faulty side stand switch? Lean over switch?
that reminds me, my kill switch sticks sometimes, even in the fully on position, so it cranks but doesnt catch,
Anybody know if replacing the sprag gear requires an engine split? There is only one mention of Sprag gear in any of the forums
Racing Technician came out last night, listened to the bike and thought that it might be sprag gear. Stripped right hand engine panel off and checked the sprag gear but it seemed to be working fine. Therefore or QED if you wish, it must be a starter motor issue. Going to strip out my starter motor today and then steal one from a friend's bike! Install into mine and see if that works. If it does then i can borrow it for the duration of my trip to Spain and then fit a new one on return...i'll keep you posted!
Stripped out starter motor, drove like a demon to mates house about 45 minutes away. Removed his starter, drove home (also demonesque) and fitted his. Bike still wouldn't start, no real change in noise/sounds/actions from bike. Removed his starter, re-fitted mine. Yeah no change. Went inside and ordered a sprag clutch starter gear and 24-hour postage from ebay. That arrives tomorrow (Friday) bike has to be ready to take down the road at 05:00 on Saturday. What a mare
