NC29 hibernation over - but it's dead FFS!

[Bonzo]

Well, you treat them nice by bringing them inside the house for the winter and now it doesn't want to start!

Battery is good - been on trickle charger over winter.

When I press the starter button for the first time, the starter motor starts turning the engine over as usual, then stops and...........................................nothing! Turn ignition off, then back on again. Hit starter button and nothing; not even a click from the solenoid. All idiot lights functioning as they should, lights/horn/indicators/oil pressure light working. Tried bump starting to no avail - but then the carbs were dry as I've stripped and cleaned them, new fuel filter fitted.

I've checked the fuses (main and solenoid) and they are fine. Idiot lights don't dim or anything when I press the starter. Kill switch looks clean inside, it just does nothing when I press start!

Anyone got any ideas? I (and the wife!) don't want to keep it as a kitchen ornament? Sidestand switch possibly? Had to go out so didn't check that, but managed to bring the bike back into the kitchen, on the proviso it's just 'til I find out what's wrong!

[Davez29]

Now this is just a guess but something I would try. Have you access to a multimeter? if so on the occasion you first start your bike with a freshly charged battery. While pressing the starter read how many volts the battery drops by, from my exprience it should be over the 11volt mark, any lower will be a bad sign and a new battery required, to me it does sound like a new battery needed. Other things to consider is a short in the electrics, Look through a haynes manual for that test. other possibility are bad switches and clutch diode. Finally when I go to start my bike with dry carbs it can take a couple of re charges of the battery to get the bike started . you will know when your getting there when the bike starts to backfire.

[Bonzo]

Thanks for the reply - I tried another battery off another bike. Still the same - all lights work as they should, but not even a click from the starter.

Checked the battery with a multimeter. Reads 12.65v and no change whatsoever when I press the start button. If I put the lights on, it starts to drop, so at least the multimeter is working! Next! Looks like I'll be tracing and testing the whole ignition circuit then. I think I've got that Electrex diagram somewhere!

[chrisja2]

Not in gear is it?

[Davez29]

Not in gear is it?

lol.. I did think of that one but decided that he must be still at rest when trying hence why I mention switches and that small diode that controls the clutch, neutral etc.. Its one of those that would be best being there while its happening I think.

[Bonzo]

Not in gear is it?

Nope - not in gear. Managed to solve it - sort of!

Took the left hand fairing off to re-check the fuses and check that bank of other connectors, as I noticed the front brake light was now not working either!

I've had the fairing off for a bit, whilst I did other odd jobs on it over the winter. I tried disconnecting and reconnecting each of the plugs that fit on the rail inside the fairing to get the brake light to work, trying the starter after each one too. Low and behold, I got to the red plug, disconnected it, put it back together and bugger me, the starter motor fired in to action!! So I give the red plug a little wiggle and it stops working again. Houston - I think we've found our problem!!

Still not sorted the brake light though - but I'd rather have the engine running and no brake light than vice versa!

Bike started, ran and idled a lot better after the carb strip/clean and replacement pilot screws/jets from Graeme France . Bike is back in the kitchen for now!

Thanks for the advice people - as always - !!