Weird starting problem.

[bikemonkey]

Bike is cold, bike starts fine.

Bike is hot still after being left for 5-10 minutes, bike doesn't start.

Attempt to bump start bike and turn engine over. Bike then starts with the electric starter.



Annoying when all you want to do is get back to base after a trip to asda.

Each time the bike won't start the starter solenoid clicks once as you hit the starter button.

The charging system is all okay as is everything else.
The starter solenoid is about 3-4 months old, the genny is a GSXR1000 jobby, the battery a 12 month old motobatt and the reg/rec a tourmax item which was on the bike when I bought it (2 and a half years ago).
I also have the Rick O earthing cable kit fitted, upgraded headlights (H4 with appropriate relay) and a KOSO RX2N digi dash.

All I can think of is a poor earth on the starter motor which is made worse by the heat.
But that wouldn't explain why after turning the engine over by bumping it then starts.
So maybe the timing sensors/starter clutch assembly/CDI?

Help please!!!!

[arsey30]

First prove if it is electrical or mechanical.
Run the engine up to temperature until it fails to turn over, then select top gear and rock the bike back and forth then try the starter.
The starter may be jamming.

[Neosophist]

Some good advice already been given above.

Starter maybe failing with the extra heat in it somehow and jamming, the starters bolted directly to the engine so doubt its an earthing issues.

Have you actually tested the battery voltage and outputs? just becuase its all new doesnt mean its anygood.

There was a guy one time who replaced his reg/rec and genny but kept the old battery which obviously wasnt in good nick as it was failing to take a charged, burnt out his reg/rec and fried the ecu...

[arsey30]

If fault proves to be electrical, battery is the most common failure, but check alternator/rectifier connector pins and measure output.
I measure regulated output current with lights on to be sure.

I once had a rad leak and it squirted out a jet of water over the coil [not nc30] that shorted the coil and cut the motor
A long shot, but check coolant is not dripping into a connector, it seems that it is conductive, but the battery still should have enough capacity to turn the engine if it did from cold.

[bikemonkey]

I have a voltage meter and charging system monitor on the bike, I got paranoid after it left me out in the rain with a flat battery....

They both read fine all the time.

I tried rocking the bike back and forth in 1st yesterday but that didn't work, it only worked after the engine had been turned over after a very helpful chap gave me a push.

The attempt at bump starting didn't work but then starter motor started working after that.

I haven't got access to any tools at the moment, I've only just got the bike onto base with me and am yet to join the motorbike club here.

I shall try sixth gear tomorrow probably, will also contact the guy who runs the club, hopefully they may be able to help out with tools and workspace!

[arsey30]

Rock it in top, you will not turn the engine in first gear that way.

[NGneer]

The starter may be jamming.

- Where are you posted now Olly, Halton/Cosford ?

[bikemonkey]

I went out on the bike last night and it was fine!

I started it right after I stopped it and it fired up first touch of the button, then I went and stopped at a shop came back 3-4 minutes later and it fired up like normal again.

Intermittent? I might try leaving it a bit longer than that like I have done when it has failed to start.

Honda's have no character eh? Mine certainly does, it also spat it's seat lock out somewhere along the road last night too.


I'm at Cosford Ian, and absolutely loving it! It's like a holiday compared to Halton, starting to feel like the real air force now

I'd ask how Cyprus is but that's a stupid question!

[Icemaestro]

I'm missing a seat lock too...does that mean one has to order a complete lock set now?

[Neosophist]

I went out on the bike last night and it was fine!

I started it right after I stopped it and it fired up first touch of the button, then I went and stopped at a shop came back 3-4 minutes later and it fired up like normal again.

Intermittent? I might try leaving it a bit longer than that like I have done when it has failed to start.

Honda's have no character eh? Mine certainly does, it also spat it's seat lock out somewhere along the road last night too.


I'm at Cosford Ian, and absolutely loving it! It's like a holiday compared to Halton, starting to feel like the real air force now

I'd ask how Cyprus is but that's a stupid question!

character is another word for bodged most of the time.

The only way the seatlock will fall out if if it wasnt put in properly.

Based on that thinking you might have a bad earth or bad connection somewhere being intermittent, might be worth checkin you have no connections vibrating apart.