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Old 11-05-2007   #1 (permalink)
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Thumbs down I can't get this party started...

Hey fellas, it's been a while...

My bike's been parked for almost 2 months now since it left me stranded a few miles from my apartment late one night. It got me to that location just fine, but when I was ready to head home, the bike just would not kick over. I put the key in, put the kill switch in the "run" position, and hit the start button... all I'd get is that "yin yin yin yin.." sound. I brought the bike home in the bed of my truck and just parked it. I made a couple attempts after that to get it to start, but to no avail. Recenty though, I just went out there one day, opened the fuel valve, pulled the choke, hit the start button, and the thing kicked right over. I actually got it to the gas station and back. I suited up for a ride, and got back out to the bike... it gave me maybe two rotations of the cylinders, then it was back to the "yin yin yins."

So I don't know where to go with this... I'm relatively confident that it's an electrical problem, as if I'm just not getting any spark to the motor... but I can't figure out then why it'll fire up some times and not others.

Have any of you all dealt with this before? I'm trying to avoid trailering this thing to the dealer with my tail between my legs, so I'd like to try to fix it on my own. And if nothing else, I'm moving to Singapore for work in a couple months and I'd like to get a few good last rides in before I go.


Thaaaaaanks...

Johnny
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Old 11-05-2007   #2 (permalink)
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Battery Battery Battery
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Old 11-05-2007   #3 (permalink)
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where y'at in Houston? probably several of us would be willing/able to help you troubleshoot on location.
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Old 11-06-2007   #4 (permalink)
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where y'at in Houston? probably several of us would be willing/able to help you troubleshoot on location.


I'm just outside downtown... Allen Pkwy and Studement. If any of you guys are up to the task, I'd love to have you over.
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Old 11-06-2007   #5 (permalink)
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I'm just outside downtown... Allen Pkwy and Studement. If any of you guys are up to the task, I'd love to have you over.
I can't do anything this week but I think I can help next week if you don't have it sorted by then.
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Old 11-08-2007   #6 (permalink)
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I can't do anything this week but I think I can help next week if you don't have it sorted by then.

Right on man, thanks... I'll let you know!
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Old 11-08-2007   #7 (permalink)
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make sure the side stand and clutch lever safeties aren't killing the ignition circuit. contacts, loose switch, broken or pinched wire ect...

quick check:
run to sears and get one of those spark testers that look like a pen...they're only a couple bucks and a time saver...you can check for spark with the plug boots installed just by touching it to the spark plug wire...reads right thru the wire...if the "yin yin yin" means it's cranking at normal speed, I suspect you don't have spark.

might also check the fuses for good contact... intermitents can be tricky.

you can have spark to the plug, but that doesn't mean the plug is firing...
might also pull your plugs to check for carbon between the electrode and ground...or a broken porcellin.

it's usually something simple, but it may also be a bad coil or the gap for the ignitor or other. The specs say .008"-.012"...but a subsequent service bulletin suggests to set it at .008" and no more due to some reported weak spark problems.
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Old 11-08-2007   #8 (permalink)
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I think Modre suggests a good possibility with the kickstand switch. And you may want to have someone sit on the bike and hold the starter on while you crouch down and wiggle the switch and wires. If that causes it to then start then there is an issue with the switch or wires. That would be the first thing i'd check given the intermittent symptoms.
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Old 11-08-2007   #9 (permalink)
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If its the sidestand switch you wont get the "yin.....yin....yins" nothing will happen when you push the starter as there will be no current getting to it.
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Old 11-08-2007   #10 (permalink)
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If its the sidestand switch you wont get the "yin.....yin....yins" nothing will happen when you push the starter as there will be no current getting to it.
true dat. I like the battery option. Plugs are relatively cheap. it def sounds like an electrical prob.
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