Hi all,

I'm hoping somebody has maybe solved a similar issue and can give some input.

I don't know if this makes a difference, but I had clutch issues right before the winter. My bike was pulling forwards when I fully depressed the clutch lever unless it was shifted into neutral. When that happened I tried adjusting the clutch cable and couldn't get the bike started after to test it out. I haven't touched the bike since then and it's been sitting in a heated garage.

I purchased a new clutch cable and friction plates and was planning on replacing all that this weekend. However, I thought it wasn't starting before because the battery was just dead. I put in a new battery today and tried to start it up. Nothing happened except an electrical noise of some sort. All the idiot lights are on and I'm not really sure where to begin looking. You can hear the noise I'm talking about in the video below. Does anybody know why it doesn't start or have any ideas what to test first?? Would really appreciate any help...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUEo7rN_WJc

Cheers

The battery doesn't sound strong enough - can you get some jump leads onto it from a car?

Also - if it has stood for that long, you might have gummed up fuel (especially in Canada where I assume the fuel is pretty waxy due to the cold?)

The noise is a slow and hard working starter. If you are sure there is fuel in the carbs that is fresh and that everything else is good- you could try bump starting it. Get a good run up and someone to help push, 2nd gear, clutch in and jump on it, let the clutch out....either a large skid, some turning over of the motor or it will try and start.

i wouldnt use jump leads tbh, but yes battery is flat. if thats been charged then new battery,

It sounds like its spinning over fast enough to me ? so the battery is ok.
its either no spark at the plugs,no fuel getting through or flooded and wet plugs, untill you start looking at the bike and testing things it could be any number of problems.

Battery sounds ok to me too (as it should be since it's new!). Got enough fuel in the tank? Maybe turn the tap to Reserve just in case it's a bit low, then try again; FULL CHOKE, NO THROTTLE.
Check the fuses under the pillion seat. After that, maybe pull the plugs out and give them a clean; check for sparks on them too.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

The battery should be good as it's brand new! There's definitely enough fuel in the tank, it's completely filled. I'm hoping the fuel hasn't gummed up but it would be worth checking. I don't think it's bad fuel though. I had fresh fuel in the bike before the winter and the bike was making the same noise when I tried to start it. I was going to run some stabilizer through it before it sat, but I couldn't. The fuel that I stored it with did have stabilizer mixed in though.

I'm leaning towards checking the plugs for spark first. Sounds like it could be a number of things and I don't want to be messing with the carbs myself to be honest. Luckily I have a spare parts bike if it happens to be a failed electrical component of some sort.

really, that sounds very much like a flat battery unless its my speakers on the laptop, or sounds like its being turned over with no plugs in it.
when was it last run then ? if only a couple of months ago then full choke no throttle and turn her over.
unless the vacuum pipe has been disturbed and the fuel tap is not working correctly

that battery does not sound good to me... its what it sounds like when the battery is at 11.30v i should know... ive had many, MANY problems with my bike and still do and managed to fix most.... CRM, CSMJ1 know their shit. listen to them... and thats a low low low battery.... get a trickle charger to charge it. or jump start from another vehicle.

Do you have a multimeter, best to measure the battery voltage.