Hey guys, I'm just new to bikes so have a serious lack of knowledge and hope you can help me please. I own a 2004 fireblade, and was riding home for Xmas, 100 mile trip and when riding along about 60mph, all of a suddenew there was a serious high pitch sound, I though it was wind going through my helmet and it lasted a few seconds then went away. Shortly after, I heard it again after I accelerated quickly in 1st gear... then I realiased it wasn't my helmet, it was the bike, again it went away after a few seconds... I can only describe it as a similar sound as if a cars fan belt was slipping. I had to ride back again yesterday and the bike stalled at a set of lights and won't start again. Whenever I would switch ignition on, the oil/temperature warning light would stay on red, I definitely have plenty oil and I left engine cool down.... the engine would turn when pressing it on but it wouldn't catch.... but now the battery is dead so I'll need to get it charged. I'm hoping the fault is obvious to some of you here and can let me know what you think. Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Danny
Hi Danny Not an expert on the early models but with the sound your describing it could be a fuel pump issue your having, when you say it's turning over but not firing! The engine only requires fuel and air and a spark to complete its combustion. Once your battery is charged just turn the ignition on and listen to hear if the fuel pump is priming, you should hear a whirling noise until it builds the the right bar pressure for the fuel rail. Not sure about the warning lights... perhaps someone else can give you some input with these.
Danny, I think that warning light will only extinguish once the bike has started. If it doesn't extinguish once started then you have an issue and knock it straight off. Agree with Dave, get the battery right and have a listen for the fuel pump whirring, if it doesn't do anything it might have failed + blown the fuse at the same time. Be prepared to replace both.
Good news boys!!!!!! Took the battery off the bike and charged it for a day then back on and it's starting!! Thank God it's nothing mechanical.... I just need to take the bike to a friend to run some tests on the electrical system and see what's happened.
Great news that it's started, but I'm not sure your bike is cured. I can't think why a flat battery would create the noise you described. Make sure your breakdown recovery is up to date. Let us know how you get on for future reference.
Yeah.... I defo have questions.... but it's nice to see improvement with it even starting. I'll still get it tested even if it's just for my own confidence
Haha. Well my Scottish notes don't get accepted down here without an argument... so you're English money is more valuable to me I was out about on the bike this morning.... it's running perfectly. Still dropped it off for a check up tho.
ish..... All tests done on the charging system and it's all running absolutely fine... but the heated grips were wired directly to the battery instead of ignition, which I didn't previously know... so I wasn't switching them off when bike wasn't in use and it's drained the battery. Now got the grips connected to ignition, but strangely enough.... the battery actually went flat again yesterday aT the end if an 80 mile trip.... which is weird as it should be taken a good charge during that trip which was almost completely all motorway. I have a battery tester at home and fully charged the battery last night and will keep a close eye on taken he battery level over the next few weeks.... my current theory is the battery isn't holding a charge the way it's meant to due to it being completely drained previously (as said, all tests have been done on the charging system, so it seems to be the battery) I'll buy a new battery when I get paid on the 15th. On that note.... any recommendations on a new battery? Sorry for the long winded replynsay Danny
Full charged battery.... rode it about 10 miles to a friends and stayed there last night.... then bike wouldn't start this morning. This sucks!!!!!! Im wondering if my battery is cooked and not holding charge because there is nothing connected directly to battery apart from a charger connection thats not plugged into anything, and the normal positive anything no negative for the bike....
If you have checked rectifier and charging side then it can only be a dud battery, how old is it?? Take it to a battery specialist who can check the SG levels and tell you if you have any bad cells..... but almost 100% it will be especially if the grips have been wired directly to the battery!!! Fecking idiots
The link i put up earlier has a great faultfinding section, i raise my bet to £2, but chances are it is now the stator and reg/rec
I'm inclined to agree with you as it sounds like he's not tested any of that from his previous posts....but also think the battery is also going to be a contributing factor once he sorts all that out... I will double the bet
The mechanic I took bike to checked the full charging system because he said it's common that it can overcharge and cook battery... but the bike is absolutely fine he said. I fully charged battery on Monday... went a run from Carlisle to Brampton (15 mins) left bike overnight then it wouldn't start again this morning.... battery was less than half charged.... fully charged it then rode bike back to Carlisle... and it's only got half a charge left. I think that since the battery has previously been drained completely by the heated grips not being wired correctly.... then the first charger of used was a cheap B&M job (probably overcharged it) I've probably wrecked the battery.... and it's just not holding a charge.... so bike can't charge it fast enough. Anyone agree/disagree with that theory? I'll get a new battery when I get paid and see what happens. Any advice or suggestions on a new battery? Thanks for all your input everyone.
Discharging a battery can kill it rendering it unable to hold a full charge. Had this happen a few times over my biking career. Apparently Motobatt batteries are pretty decent, cost around £40. I'm going to give one a go in the next few weeks as my battery has suffered over the winter.
Yeah... this is what I thought from my little knowledge of batteries in general. Thanks for helping confirm it. I'll be sure to check out Motobatts batteries too thanks
My heated grips are wired straight to the battery as the manufacturer recommends, they have an auto switch off system , then they don't overload the ignition system,Oxford grips, wire direct.
