Forum

[dazza]

I know this has been talked about a lot of times I have a 2007 350 bullet and I have trouble getting her going I have some loud bangs and pops going on but after a ride on her she's a lot easier to start but first time it's hard work perhaps I'm not doing something that's not right I have a decompress lever also a choke lever and a Amal carb to tickle it I know people mention TD?? Something I do try and kick it when the kick start is at the top with a lot of compression ? Also tried tickle it first sometimes I've also tried little throttle and sometimes choke lever but I would love to find a way to kick her over after a few times lol another thing I have noticed my AMP gauge needle is in the middle but when I turn the ignition key no lights or horn work but when she's running they all work then is this normal thanks

[PeteF]

I think the clue is in your last sentence. If the lights and horn don't work when the engine isn't running then the battery is duff (note that the headlight only works when the engine runs but the side and tail lights work off the battery)

[dazza]

Thanks peter would this affect me starting her first thing I have had trickle charge on her over the winter ?? As soon as she does start up everything works should I just get a new battery thanks

[Beezabryan]

As Peter says, the battery very likely has reached the end of days. If you have a multimeter a voltage check before starting will confirm

[dazza]

Would this affect me kicking her over for the first time does it need a good battery for a spark ? My battery is only 18 months old I've never used a voltmeter so I'll take it off and pop to my local halfords thanks

[dazza]

Just checked bike as I have never used a volt meter and don't own one I tried to charge the battery but it hasn't charged at all I will pop to halfords in the morning for them to check the volts out if they can do it if not local bike shop the battery on her is only 18 months old it's a sealed one looking at it with no plastic plugs on the top just a strip saying do not move I called hitchcocks up for a price on a new battery they sell two types a dry one and a gel one which I was told is a better one my concern is if I order one will it go flat I'm wondering if something is draining it I know she's been left over the winter but time to time I did try and put a bit of charge in it so again do these 350 kick start bullets depend on a good battery for a spark to start her up thanks

[dazza]

Here is the battery on her only 18 months old can anybody recognise if it's a gel type I'm sorry I'm learning lol

[PeteF]

You're not going to know until you get that battery checked. Multimeter's aren't expensive, I would think about getting one. It's surprising what little voltage is required to get a bike started with some vigorous kicking and once its started it will run with virtually nothing in the battery although it will perform better with a fully charged one.

[Paul M H]

Agree with others it sounds like the battery has gone they can deteriorate quick if not regularly cycled. Multi metres are cheap enough to buy you will need one anyway to check the bike charging and fault finding its a worth wile investment.

[Paul M H]

P/s not shue where that came from I tried to copy your link and thats what came out ?