Hitchcocks Forum

Hi I have just cleaned the spark plug on my 2013 Classic chrome as the bike will not fire up. I have checked and their is a strong spark. So I suspect the petrol may have gone off as the bike has been standing for a few months.. How can I drain the tank to put new fuel in as I can see no way to drain the tank. Thank you John

If the battery is not in tip top condition and not showing 13.2 volts when fully charged it won't start, no matter how fat the spark.

I doubt the petrol is your problem, I have quite a few bikes and the result is that sometimes they are not started for a very long time but they always start old fuel and all.

Thanks Lads, I will get the voltmeter out and check the battery. Watch this space.

Battery is showing exactly 13.2 volts. Still wont start although the starter is turning the engine over fine. It coughs as though it wants to start but will not pick up. Any ideas?

A couple of thoughts... things that are extremely easy to try:

(1) I've experienced a good fat spark that didn't start the bike, and then put in a BRAND NEW plug and it did work. (2) Is there a choke or similar that's either on or off as appropriate? (3) Have you tried it with a loosened petrol tank cap, to check there isn't and air lock? (4) Is there a filter after the petrol tank that would be easy to check and clean?

Good luck!

Thanks Chris, I have mainly had old British bikes with magnetos. This is my first with fuel injection, so no choke, or fuel tap. Have tried with the petrol cap open but no difference. Battery is now showing 13.7 volts so I feel that's is Ok also getting the same response on the kick start, it sounds as though it wants to fire up but just won't start. Up until now it has fired up straight away and chugged over perfectly.

P. S. Chris have also tried a new plug.

P. S. Chris have also tried a new plug.

It can happen that the auto-decompressor mechanism can stick and this may prevent the engine from running but not from firing-up intermittently. The decompressor bits are located in the exhaust cam.