Forum

[bullethead]

I've had great fun over the summer riding my 2001 Bullet - thanks to some help from the forum. A couple of weeks ago it just refused to start (had been 1st / 2nd kick for months). The spark looked weak but eventually got it to start twice but runs for a minute only. Plenty petrol Duh). Is it worth changing the condenser - or what other simple things can I check? Thoughts much appreciated...

[PeteF]

I would check the battery first. You should have 12v with a load on (parking lights, horn etc)
Condensers are tricky to check so it might be worth changing that if the battery is OK, they do tend to fail as they heat up. Check the points while you're at it.
Many people miss the fact that the plug might be on it's way out.

[papasmurf]

I would not be without a battery conditioner/charger and a cheap test meter.
What many people don't realise is, if you charge a 12 volt battery fully and only get a reading of 12 volts, it is probably scrap. (If you have a Hardly Dangerous, if the battery does not show 13.2 volts the bike will not start.
On our 4 bikes the battery fully charged reading are in the 12.85V-13.2V range. (I have fitted a solid state battery to the wife's VS800 Intruder because checking a normal battery on it makes one lose the will to live.)

[jaffa90]

If you can start the bike give it some throttle until it dies then check the spark plug to see/ smell if it`s wet with fuel.

[Scalyback]

This won't help, but might cheer you up.





in the bleak midwinter,
my old bike did moan,
i’d only suggested,
riding it from home,
my bike said, “So funny,
you think it is a lark?
this time you can sod off,
cos i refuse to start!"

[hubb]

Hi,for the first time since I've had my 2007 350 from new it refused to start a couple of weeks ago.Once I had got my breath back after kicking it over a few dozen times I found out it was the plug that had given up despite being fine the day before.So along with peteF and jaffa's advice changing that would be a good place to start.

[bullethead]

your time much appreciated, I will start with plug then battery and possibly condenser. I checked back about changing to electronic ignition and there doesn't seem to be a strong case. cheers!

[jaffa90]

Just remembered my 2004 made 535cc kick start only, had a cell down in the newish battery (12v5a) reading 10.4 volts but just about cold started after priming with ignition off. As my first post really.

[Leon Novello]

Had a new battery fitted to the Mazda 626. The RACQ (AA) man said not to use my old 1981 ARLEC charger on it,as modern sealed batteries won`t take a proper charge from them, and it could damage it. I`m going to see Santa tomorrow in the mall, to beg for a new one.