Triumphrat

kippernicus · 10-19-2012, 08:59 PM

I'm trying to figure out why I've been having problems starting my bike lately. I'll give you a rundown on what's been happening:

About three weeks ago my bike wouldn't start; when I hit the ignition button, the bike would turn over once or twice and then kill. I tried it a couple more times and it got to the point where the bike wouldn't turn over at all; I would hit the switch, I'd hear a faint "click", and then nothing. I had the battery tested and I found out that it wasn't taking a charge so I bought a new one and installed it. After putting in the new battery it started up flawlessly. Over the course of the following week however, I noticed that the bike would have to turn over more and more before it would fire-up.

After work yesterday the bike wouldn't start at all. The same thing that happened before was happening now; it would turn over a couple times then kill and eventually it wouldn't turn over at all. I tried to get a jump and push-start the damn thing but that didn't work. I brought the battery back to the store and had them charge it. After putting that battery back in the bike, I was able to ride it home. Once there, I turned the bike off, tried to start it and it wouldn't even turn over.

I replaced the spark-plugs today thinking that might be contributing to the problem and I was able to start the bike immediately three times before it would just kill again.

I took the stator cover off and found what you can see in the following pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5526030...7631808879618/

I'm no mechanic so I have no idea how to properly diagnose whatever the hell is happening, but I'm hoping that this issue will be resolved by replacing the stator. What do you think?

kippernicus · 10-19-2012, 08:59 PM

Also, I don't know why the images aren't working in the post. Follow the link to find the images. Thanks.

DEcosse · 10-19-2012, 09:06 PM

Yeah stator is toast - will need to be replaced

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kippernicus · 10-19-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEcosse

Yeah stator is toast - will need to be replaced

Thanks DEcosse. Is there anything else you think I should check into (wires, starter, r/r, etc.)?

DEcosse · 10-19-2012, 09:41 PM

See the sticky thread - check the stator connector and the R/R
You might consider upgrading to MOSFET R:R even if ok, although you can defer for now since you already have major cost for stator
See ricksmotorsportelectrics for stator

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kippernicus · 10-19-2012, 09:43 PM

Excellent. Thanks again.

ilovheros · 10-20-2012, 02:04 PM

Wow kipper I hope I am not having the same problem you are having. Last week I went to start the bike and lights came on but when I hit the key all I got was one single crank then nothing. Tried several more times, same thing, then it would do nothing. I had the wrong size battery. I am waiting on a new correct size Shorai. I just went out and jumped it with my car (motor off) and got the same thing, just like last week. Where should I start looking? Could running a battery with too small capacity have caused other problems, strator?..Crap.

kippernicus · 10-21-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovheros

Wow kipper I hope I am not having the same problem you are having.

Yeah man, it sounds like the same deal. Hopefully getting a new battery does the trick for you. I don't know if you have a trickle charger or some sort of meter that'll let you read the voltage, but I would think about getting one. Once you throw the new battery in, take it for a quick ride and see what the charge on the battery is at. If it's low, then I'd pull the cover and check the stator. It's really, really easy to check it; just make sure you have a replacement gasket once you take the cover off.

I'll keep this thread updated to let you all know if it was indeed the stator. Good luck with your bike!

kippernicus · 10-21-2012, 12:02 PM

Also, I found this great .pdf of a flowchart for charging system problems. It's for a Suzuki so I'm sure that some of the readings and wire colors might be different. Other than that, it seems like a pretty comprehensive guide to finding out what exactly the problem is.

http://www.electrosport.com/technica...ng-diagram.pdf

ilovheros · 10-21-2012, 07:18 PM

Thanks Kipper. Where did you get your gasket?