[Steve Block]

Guys,

I’ve been noticing that my bike doesn’t seem to be starting as well as it used to and often I have to hit the button again. The starter spins the motor OK, but the ignition doesn’t always catch straight away. When it fails to start, the engine stalls and makes this awful loud ‘clonking’ noise from somewhere deep inside the crankcase (not sure if it's always made this noise but never noticed, as it always use to start first time).

I guess the differentiator is that the starter motor spins the motor OK. New gel battery fitted about 3 months ago, and valves checked 2K miles ago.

Any ideas, is this the possible onset of the infamous Sprag failure or am I just looking at a poor ignition issue (and being an old woman here)… ?

Cheers
Steve

 

[Steve Block]

Thanks Alterna,

I'm wondering if this is connected with a starter problem that begun about a month ago. Whereby, the starter would not always crank the motor over when I hit the button. I checked / cleaned all of the connectors in the circuit, etc and swapped the starter solenoid as good measure.

I have an old original Triumph alarm attached to the wiring loom that looks like is about to fall apart, and I don't know if this has something to do with the poor startinh issue. Also, can you confirm if the clutch lever has to be pulled in for the starter to work (I noticed a micro-switch on the clutch lever, but I don't think this has ever worked whilst I've owned the bike).

Cheers
Steve