Forum

[Mitchell]

Hi all. I am new to this site and am in distress. I am moving this Saturday(Sept 5th) and need to ride my bike to my new home. I went out to start it up yesterday and it is just dead in the water.
I have a 1972 bullet 350. 12v electrical system which has been totally replaced 5 years ago. In fact, all electrical parts were replaced 5 years ago.
When I try to start it, the ammeter doesn't move a mm and there is no chance to get the bike started. It has sat for about 6 weeks since the last ride and it is in great running condition...once it is running. On the last few runs though, whenever I had to stop and park, it was a pain to restart. The last time took about 30 minutes to start again. Very frustrating(I guess that's why we masochists like these bikes, no?) and hardly a pleasure to ride as I have no confidence in it.
The battery is new and fully charged, the spark plug has about 200 miles on it. I have checked the wiring to the points and the points look good too. Condenser maybe?
I am thinking this is just wiring as the bike runs like a dream when it goes. But, which wires?
Any and all help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Mitchell

[Geoff B in Kent]

Where are you and where are you moving to?

[Mitchell]

West Palm Beach, Florida. Quite a bit far from Kent!

[Geoff B in Kent]

Yes a bit far - don't think I'd get there in time. I'm not great with electrics but I do have a trailer. Hope you sort something. G

[Shane]

Mitchell, I presume you have done the obvious and checked the fuses?

[neddy]

Its not the good old broken battery terminal or earth lead behind battery holder that still looks ok ?

[Lennie]

Does the battery have any charge in it (do the lights work?) . Six weeks lay up is long enough to drain a betters, especially if there is a drain on it. There is some other problem lurking which is evident by the starting problems. Check battery, and all connections, also check for spark, the ammeter is a good guide, but it is not the only tool available in fault finding.

[Lennie]

*battery* not betters?? Blooming predictive text....

[Mitchell]

As stated all is fine otherwise on the bike. Battery is a year old and fully charged. Horn and lights all work. Fuse is fine. I only view the ammeter as a guide to know if it will start or not. I know if it moves when I kick it to find tdc to start it, it will actually start...and usually on the first kick. The leads from the battery disappear into the harness. I can only assume(I know) that they are fine. I just don't have the time to properly attack the situation as I must go to work for 12 hours and then pack some more when I get home tonight. So, I only could follow the wires as best as I could and they look fine. Could it be the coil? It's only 5 years old.
Oddly enough, sometimes just by rolling the bike something would change and let the ammeter begin to move again. But all the connections I can see are tight and sound.
I will have about an hour tomorrow morning to mess with it before moving.
I have had this bike for 12 years and know it well. I bought it in India on a trip and shipped it back. So there is a lot of experience with it's ins and outs!
Thanks,
Mitchell

[Thunderdird 2]

A few years ago my bike that had 71 miles on it but had been stored would not start, I was pretty certain I knew what it was but the dealer, who was 2100 opdd miles away sent me new rubber carb manifolds, fuel tap and various other parts, except for what I asked for...................a CONDENSER!
Once he sent that the bike started 2nd kick and I never had any other problems.
'It cant be the condenser' he said, the bike has no miles on it, its new!
I know from experience condensers can break down with age in storage let alone in use!
For a small cost its worth changing it, could well be your problem solved.
Terry