Starting Issues

[Edhutch81]

Hi guys, unfortunately my SP has decided it no longer wants to start, bad timing as the weather has just improved! Anyway I took it for an MOT about 2 weeks ago and it seemed to run ok then although was a little hard to start, when I came to start it about a week ago it fired up and than died after about 10secs of running, it then wouldn't restart. The battery has been changed and is kept on a trickle charger, the bike also had new spark plugs at the end of last summer as the bike seemed to develop an intermittent misfire, this did help matters although hasn't completely cured the misfire. The bike turns over but just won't fire, has anyone ever experienced this or something similar? Any ideas would be greatly welcomed!

[5parkyuk]

Coils ?
Whip the plugs out and check for a good spark.
If you have a power commander on disconnect it .

[steve p]

Can you hear the petrol pump prime when you switch on?

[David451]

Can you here the petrol pump prime when you switch on?

All the things above, you need to go back to basics, take the plug cap off and either stick an old plug of any kind in it hold it against the engine and watch for a spark. It should be a nice crisp blue colour. Failing having a plug stick a screwdriver in the plug cap and hold it close to the engine if the spark is good it will jump to the metal. Watch you dont get a shock though.

Petrol, as above listen for the fuel pump priming after that its a pain in the arse getting into the fuel system, and even harder to try and run it with the tank off. If you can take a spark plug out though you will see if its getting fuel, or you might even smell it in the exhausts.

Once you illiminate each you will know where to go next.

If you find both are ok then take the spark plugs out, clean them and give them a heat in the oven for a bit to dry them out, remember its only got two cylinders so if a spark plug has oiled up she wont go. Mine lay over the winter period and she ran like shit for about 15 miles before she starting running properly.

[snoopyjon]

Ok, as no-one has suggested this, I do have to point out the obvious, and say 'kill switch'? Not in that you have the kill switch enabled (which admittedly I have done in the past) but more that the connections may be fouled up...? A mate of mine with a gixxer had similar issues last year, and that's what his turned out to be...

[big stink]

My old power commander failed which caused the bike not to start. It was only injecting on one cylinder. Took a while to trace the fault but once i disconnected the commander and reconnected the original loom it fired instantly, Had a new dynojet fitted and dynoed which made a huge difference.

[Edhutch81]

Thanks for all the ideas, I did disconnect the power commander (PCII) and that hasn't made a difference. I've been quite limited on time so far this week but I was able to turn the ignition on and it doesn't sound like the fuel pump is priming, I hadn't noticed that previously so good call! Just hope it's something simple and it doesn't need replacing, they don't look cheap I'm still going to have the pkugs out and see what condition they're in. Luckily it's a long weekend this week so should get plenty of tinkering time.

[Jayboy]

Check your relays under the rear cowl mate - mine died on me, mid-ride on Saturday and where I have had to mess around sorting the wiring, my relays still won't quite reach where they are meant to and rough roads had literally allowed the fuel pump relay to become unclipped and be loose under the seat!

I need to address this all soon, maybe yours had a loose connection and has come away?

Unfortunately, the important fuses are under the left hand fairing, bar the MAIN 30Amp bugger by the battery.

It's a sod to trace things like this, "it was running, then it died...."

[Sppete]

There is also a big connector under the left hand fairing which is prone to letting the wet in and corroding. It might be worth a look whilst you are there.
If not, the fuel pump is supposed to prime as soon as the ignition is switched on. I'd either start with the pump circuit or the kill switch circuit. The pump wont prime with out the kill switch being on.
Good luck

Pete

[Edhutch81]

Thanks for all the ideas guys, finally traced the issue to a knackered fuel pump relay. Proved to be rather difficult to get hold of one though, in case anyone else ever has this problem it is known as a starter relay Honda part number 38501-GN2-014. Just glad to have the V twin rumble back