[tommyrich]

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I got my bike back from the shop and still have the same intermittent problem. The bike has a new battery,starting motor, wires, plugs, solenoid, and I also replaced the ignition amplifier. I cleaned all the terminals and still the engine will just "grunt " when I hit the starter switch. Here is something I have discovered. If I have the engine kill switch in the off position the starter turns the engine over "EVERY" time. As soon as I put the kill switch back to run the bike won't start. Does this sound like I have an electrical problem? Any more input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[JDuggan]

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That's a new one. Sounds like the kill switch is shorting out. Why not bypass it altogether?

 

[twisty]

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tommyrich wrote:

I got my bike back from the shop and still have the same intermittent problem. The bike has a new battery,starting motor, wires, plugs, solenoid, and I also replaced the ignition amplifier. I cleaned all the terminals and still the engine will just "grunt " when I hit the starter switch. Here is something I have discovered. If I have the engine kill switch in the off position the starter turns the engine over "EVERY" time. As soon as I put the kill switch back to run the bike won't start. Does this sound like I have an electrical problem? Any more input would be appreciated. Thanks

tommyrich, that has all the earmarks of advanced ignition timing during cranking. Not sure how the timing advance system works in that 80 but that would be the first place I checked.

Twisty

 

[exavid]

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I'd go with what Twisty said on this one, sounds like the timing is too advanced. On the old bikes this was easy to find, the thing would kick you right back when you hit the kick starter. It sounds like that's what's happening to your electric starter. What happens if you hit the starter with the kill switch off and then flip the switch back on while cranking?

 

[tommyrich]

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Dear exavid

If I crank the engine with the kill switch off and turn the switch to run while still cranking it fires immediately, every time.

 

[crazy dutchy]

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I think your kill switch is on its way out or corroded.:X

Remove plugs and see if it still happens if it does it is not your advanced ignition timing.

 

[axelwik]

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tommyrich wrote:

Dear exavid

If I crank the engine with the kill switch off and turn the switch to run while still cranking it fires immediately, every time.

I agree with the ignition timing being too far advanced... the only thing I can think of that would allow it to start using the method you describe, is that the starter might be turning the engine fast enough and it has enough momentum to keep turning it, thus starting the engine.

 

[tommyrich]

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Thanks to everyone who replied. My wife and I got stranded on Fri. night when I went to start it, the bike was dead. It would not crank at all. It was as if the battery was dead. I called for a boost from CAA (Canadian Auto Association) and when he arrived he suggested just giving me a push. It worked. When I got home I tried the starter and it just whirred. It would not catch. I have taken it to another shop in Toronto. He suggested I drain a litre of oil and put transmission oil in its place to see if it would free the starter clutch. I did as he suggested and drove it to his shop but to no avail. Will having this oil mixed with 10w40 damage the engine as I drove it about 50 km.

 

[Silicon Sam]

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Not at all. Some say all that MMO is is transmission fluid. Don't worry about it, but maybe you should have driven it more than that to try and free it up.

Are you sure it may not be a failing battery?

Raymond

 

[tommyrich]

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Raymond, it's possible that the battery is low, after all the problems I've had trying to start my bike. I bought the battery new last fall when the bike started acting up, but found I had the same problem. I also exchanged the starter but no luck. This mechanic told me I should consider another bike but cosmetically it's like brand new, and I love it. Once I get it going it runs superbly. Thanks again for the infoon the oil.

Tom