Ok so I got up this morning to go to work and the bike won't start! :wall
Over the weekend and last night we've had rain, sleet and hailstones so I'm assuming water has got in somewhere. (The bike lives outside in my garden).
Electrics are working, the bike turns over strongly but doesn't kick into life. Tried with the kickstand up in case it's the switch.
Sprayed isopropyl alcohol on the plugs, up the leads and on the connector at the back of the coils, still not working!
Any Ideas on what to do next are welcome, I need to get the thing going as I've a big journey to do tomorrow!
Treat everything in life the way a dog would- if you can't eat it or foc it, forget it.
11-03-19, 10:13 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-03-19, 10:40 AM by darrsi.)
[size=1em]I had an intermittent starting problem for ages, which would involve backfiring and all sorts of fun and games.[/size]
Tried loads of things, including changing parts, etc. Same thing, cranking over strongly, battery was in a very good and charged state.
Then the other day it happened again but then when i was riding the engine just cut out. Got it started again soon after but this now gave me a different angle to investigate.
It was then hinted that it could be an ignition switch problem.
A few months ago i'd put a bit of WD40 on my key as the switch felt a bit sticky, but years ago i remember using graphite on the switch to do a similar job.
So apparently, over time the switch can get clogged up with dirt, congealed grease, or basically whatever you've chosen to shove in it over time to give it a bit of a lube. This will then make the contacts intermittent. I reckon rain going down the key hole can move shit about a bit, causing the random misbehaving.
Not feeling overly hopeful, i then drowned the ignition barrel down the key hole in Isopropyl Contact Cleaner spray, using the key as well so it got everywhere possible, and it was an instant revelation.
Bike starts strongly first time on the button now, and even feels better in running as well. 
Certainly worth a go, even more so as you have the right spray to hand.
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
Might wanna spray WD40 around the plug and HT lead area now, rather than IPA.
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
Cheers darrsi, worth a try. It was doing the backfiring thing but just not springing into life. I've got to charge the battery anywahy so i'll give the barrel the once over to see if I can get her to start.
Treat everything in life the way a dog would- if you can't eat it or foc it, forget it.
If it's back firing it must be getting some bit of spark. Maybe rain water has got in your tank from a blocked drain at the filler neck or the drain pipe in the tank could be rusted out and the water is getting in the tank and it's in the carbs now so the bike can't start. You could try draining the carbs bowls and see if it starts after that. Also open the tank carefully have a look in around the filler cap and in the bottom of the tank for water.
Did you try using the choke?
Another ex-Fazer rider that is a foccer again
bit of brake cleaner in the air inlet will tell you if its sparking ok mate. if it starts and runs briefly with a squirt of that its gonna be a fuel problem
I did all your suggestions over a long period of time, several times, because they are the places that all make sense to try out!
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
Cheers Gents.
Had another go this evening with trying to clean out the ignition barrel. Not had much luck, now got the battery back on charge and praying that it stays dry tonight. Will have a try tomorrow morning, if no joy then it's back to the train with northern rail unfortunately. They really are the worst rail operator going- dreadful. I'm inclined to think it's water that's caused the problem somewhere as she was running sweet beforehand. Hey ho plenty to keep me busy at the weekend.
Treat everything in life the way a dog would- if you can't eat it or foc it, forget it.
best of luck with it dude
Can you get it indoors for a while and keep a hair dryer on it ? might sound a bit daft but I had an old van which would do this at the slightest bit of damp and I'd put a hair dryer pointed at the engine for a time and it would do the trick!
never look down on anyone unless you're helping them up.
A decent waterproof cover may be a wise investment too ?
If you suspect water in the tank, or just want to rule it out, put 300ml of 99% IPA in a full tank of fuel, if possible the 99ron stuff from a Shell garage, and any water will bind with it and burn off as fuel.
More people are born because of alcohol than will ever die from it.
(11-03-19, 10:24 PM)darrsi link Wrote: put 300ml of 99% IPA in a full tank of fuel
India Pale Ale...? :pokefun
(12-03-19, 01:38 AM)Grahamm link Wrote: [quote author=darrsi link=topic=25036.msg294437#msg294437 date=1552339470]
put 300ml of 99% IPA in a full tank of fuel
India Pale Ale...? :pokefun
[/quote]
:agree
It ain't what you ride, it's who you ride with!!!
lol IPA was 24p a pint when I started "pubbing" in 1977. eight pints for two quid. and people say the seventies were harsh... :lol
(12-03-19, 10:41 AM)ogri48 link Wrote: lol IPA was 24p a pint when I started "pubbing" in 1977. eight pints for two quid. and people say the seventies were harsh... :lol
1973, a pint of mild in the Eldon was 11p, i was 16 , truly the good old days 
I think we might have gone a bit off topic .
did it start welshwoofer? 
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