She let me down! Three years and she's never let me down, but today she broke down.

I'd just taken her for the MOT (failed on front wheel bearings), went to get bearings from WE Moto and when I got there she died on me so I just costed into the parking space. Came back out and she almost started at the first attempt, but didn't and she turned over fine but just wouldn't fire.

Thought it might be flooded so left it 15 mins or so with exactly the same ,she almost started at the first attempt, but didn't and she turned over fine but just wouldn't fire.

Called out the AA he put it on a booster and she turned over faster but still wouldn't start, he checked/fiddled with the fuses and she fired up. Never really pinpointed the problem.

Question, the battery is about 2 years old, it lives on an optimate, but is it probably shot? Don't trust it now

Thanks for any input guys, though I think I might know what your answer will be

 

Is she getting fuel??????????????????????????????????

I would open a bowl drain while cranking to check.

OH, and check for spark.

Sorry to hear the bad news.

 

I would check the connections and the fuse sockets for corrosion. You say it fired after the fuses were fiddled with. You live in a damp area and I wouldn't be surprised if the fuse sockets need cleaning. When it still wouldn't start with a jump it doesn't sound like it's the battery. I mean the battery could still be tired but just replacing it without checking all the connections may not do the trick.

 

Check your main earth too mate. Pull all the connections and give everything a good clean and a spray of WD40 .

I wouldn't rush out and buy a new battery without checking all that first. If it starts from cold in the morning with no worries, you'll know you sorted it and the battery is still good.

 

+1 to all of the advice. Sounds more electrical than fuel related to me. Short of a
fuel-pump failure (if you have one), most fuel problems happen gradually, in my
experience.

Start with the basics, inspect all the wiring and connectors/connections. While you're
at it, get a can of contact cleaner and di-electric spraylube. As you inspect each spot
in the harness, hose it with both cleaner and then lube. That will protect it from a lot
of the problems associated with the electrical system. Be through, take your time.

Even if it doesn't fix your problem, it's time well spent AND eliminates one possible source.

Good luck, Ern

 

bummer

 

R/R ! hate to say it ......timings about right !

 

I'd check your kill switch first before spending lots of dough.
I had a problem a couple of years back - damned thing had somehow got mould in it......

It could be the "usual suspects" too.
Bad luck but at least you weren't out in the middle of nowhere when it happened.
What better place to break down than your local friendly parts dealer hehe.

Fuses could need cleaning especially the main fuse, but I'd still check the kill switch too.

 

+++ Yep! It could be out of gas.

 

+1 on the kill switch, that is a common problem spot on all brands of bikes that have one.