imported post
Tonight I went to go for a ride on my gl1500 se '97 model. The bike was running perfectly a few days ago, but pressing the starter produced a loud clunk, (not a solenoid type click). It appeared to try and turn and then stopped almost immediately
The battery charge is good and I tried jumping it off my car battery too. I also tried pushing it along the road in third and dropping the clutch (my son helping) but the back wheel just wouldn't turn. I took the rear two sparkplugs out to lower the compression a bit and it was the same. However, when I pushed it backwards the wheel turned a little. I reconnected the battery and it span up and ran fine but a load of clean water poured from the exhaust drain hole on the left side of the bike.
I had washed the bike before I last put it away- the engine was slightly warm. I always spray it off with a hose and leant down to spray it all around the back wheel from behind- no doubt accidentally spraying water up the silencer. Then I did as I always do- I leant the bike onto it's sidestand (with the sidestand in the lowest part of my drive). This was to let the water run off the seat etc. An hour later I stood it in my garage on the centrestand (the bike actually leans slightly right in there, due to a slightly uneven floor.
I am now convinced this problem was hydraulic lock as exactly the same thing happened some months ago with the starter making all sorts of banging noises, before the engine started and ran fine again.
I've only just linked these 2 events. Is it possible for water to be sprayed into the exhaust and evaporate past an open valve, before condensing on top of the piston- causing lock.
Luckily the engine sounds fine- and I think I've learned a valuable lesson. What do you think out there?
Any replies much appreciated and sorry to be so long winded but I think you need the full facts.....Steve
Tonight I went to go for a ride on my gl1500 se '97 model. The bike was running perfectly a few days ago, but pressing the starter produced a loud clunk, (not a solenoid type click). It appeared to try and turn and then stopped almost immediately
The battery charge is good and I tried jumping it off my car battery too. I also tried pushing it along the road in third and dropping the clutch (my son helping) but the back wheel just wouldn't turn. I took the rear two sparkplugs out to lower the compression a bit and it was the same. However, when I pushed it backwards the wheel turned a little. I reconnected the battery and it span up and ran fine but a load of clean water poured from the exhaust drain hole on the left side of the bike.
I had washed the bike before I last put it away- the engine was slightly warm. I always spray it off with a hose and leant down to spray it all around the back wheel from behind- no doubt accidentally spraying water up the silencer. Then I did as I always do- I leant the bike onto it's sidestand (with the sidestand in the lowest part of my drive). This was to let the water run off the seat etc. An hour later I stood it in my garage on the centrestand (the bike actually leans slightly right in there, due to a slightly uneven floor.
I am now convinced this problem was hydraulic lock as exactly the same thing happened some months ago with the starter making all sorts of banging noises, before the engine started and ran fine again.
I've only just linked these 2 events. Is it possible for water to be sprayed into the exhaust and evaporate past an open valve, before condensing on top of the piston- causing lock.
Luckily the engine sounds fine- and I think I've learned a valuable lesson. What do you think out there?
Any replies much appreciated and sorry to be so long winded but I think you need the full facts.....Steve
