- Thu Apr 19, 2018 7:04 pm
#8331
Hi all, I'm starting to become a regular here already after about a month of owning my troublesome bullet.
The problem this time started with a complete loss of throttle response on the motorway. Had to pull over and let it cool before trying it again but it wouldn't start, and the electrics were gone. Got picked up by breakdown service, after which first the indicators started working again but not flashing and the headlights were working too. Then, after being rumbled about in the van a bit more, everything worked perfectly and it started first try. One of the guys suggested it might be a carb issue, and checking inside the tank, small amounts of paint are flaking off and the filters on the carb and fuel cock are getting a bit clogged.
I don't have a spare gasket/carb cleaner etc. atm so I just emptied out the carb and filters and the air filter and shook them out, but the bike still won't start so I don't think it's a carb issue (but obviously won't be certain until I've cleaned the jets properly). And I'm growing increasingly convinced it's an electrical issue because:
First I made sure the ground connection was solid, and the voltage from it to the battery and it was all good (between 12 and 13V). However the indicators are back to just coming on continuously. I took out the spark plug and turned the back wheel in 4th with the ignition on, and wasn't getting a spark, at least that I could see in daylight, which I think I should be. I've tried replacing the spark plug but it's still not starting. And after doing that when I turned on the right indicator and I heard a buzzing noise, possibly from the powerbox under the seat, and none of the lights came on. Trying the left side, all the indicators come on, flashing, except for the rear right indicator.
This seems like a problem for an electrical genius, which I am not. Do I need to check the alternator? Or has anyone had this strange problem themselves?
It's been 25 degrees today and I'm so desperate to get out for a ride! Help!
Cheers,
Geraint
The problem this time started with a complete loss of throttle response on the motorway. Had to pull over and let it cool before trying it again but it wouldn't start, and the electrics were gone. Got picked up by breakdown service, after which first the indicators started working again but not flashing and the headlights were working too. Then, after being rumbled about in the van a bit more, everything worked perfectly and it started first try. One of the guys suggested it might be a carb issue, and checking inside the tank, small amounts of paint are flaking off and the filters on the carb and fuel cock are getting a bit clogged.
I don't have a spare gasket/carb cleaner etc. atm so I just emptied out the carb and filters and the air filter and shook them out, but the bike still won't start so I don't think it's a carb issue (but obviously won't be certain until I've cleaned the jets properly). And I'm growing increasingly convinced it's an electrical issue because:
First I made sure the ground connection was solid, and the voltage from it to the battery and it was all good (between 12 and 13V). However the indicators are back to just coming on continuously. I took out the spark plug and turned the back wheel in 4th with the ignition on, and wasn't getting a spark, at least that I could see in daylight, which I think I should be. I've tried replacing the spark plug but it's still not starting. And after doing that when I turned on the right indicator and I heard a buzzing noise, possibly from the powerbox under the seat, and none of the lights came on. Trying the left side, all the indicators come on, flashing, except for the rear right indicator.
This seems like a problem for an electrical genius, which I am not. Do I need to check the alternator? Or has anyone had this strange problem themselves?
It's been 25 degrees today and I'm so desperate to get out for a ride! Help!
Cheers,
Geraint