November 13th, 2012, 06:27 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Tom
Location: Northern NJ
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250 Posts: 6
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Can't start - stuck in gear
Just picked up a 2001 Ninja 250, the bike is not running at the moment and I wanted to share the symptoms with you all before I tear into it.
I cannot start the bike, according to the neutral indicator, the bike is in neutral but it seems like it is in gear. The clutch does seem to operate, but I can't shift into first. When I try to start the bike, I just get a single click. Regarding the battery, it is charged and I have done a voltage test with a multimeter while trying to start and the voltage checks out. When trying to rotate the rear wheel, it doesn't rotate freely and cannot rotate forwards, only backwards. Is there an issue with the tranny I should look into? I thought about the clutch being a possible issue, the cable isn't broken but I am not sure what's going on inside. Just wanted to see if there is anything you guys recommend looking into first before I go poking around inside the transmission. Thanks |
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November 13th, 2012, 06:53 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jason
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Don't look at me. According to my parents I can't even get my ass in gear.
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November 13th, 2012, 07:34 PM | #3 |
Nerd
Name: Chris
Location: Tujunga
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It's very strange that it rotates backwards but not forwards.
I would look into that first... Transmission I am guessing.
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November 13th, 2012, 08:29 PM | #4 |
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If the bike has sat for a long time(which it probably has) and it is a bit cold out then the clutch won't be very lubricated with oil. Or somethin like that. Which might explain why the rear wheel has resistance on it when you try to move it.
When I crashed my bike last year and I had the bike sitting for a few months before starting it, I had that same symptom. I though the transmission was messed up. But as soon as I got the bike started and the engine got warmed up the transmission and clutch went back to normal. SO my advice for you is, Figure out how to get it running first, then see if the transmission/clutch still feels weird. |
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November 13th, 2012, 09:16 PM | #5 | |
"scandal!"
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Quote:
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November 13th, 2012, 09:30 PM | #6 |
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Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
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I assume you tried to start it already via the starter. Right? What did it do?
1st, get the rear in the air 2nd, Roll the rear wheel forward and backward by hand and maybe you will be able to truly get it into neutral. You know like all standards have to roll a bit sometimes to get it in gear. 3rd, Bump it over with the starter a few times just to ensure everything moves. My first thought is the kickstand safety switch...
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November 13th, 2012, 09:35 PM | #7 | |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
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Either way it must run in order to ride and you not gunna know what your dealing with until you hear it run. Just get the rear in the air and the bike stable. so if there is any power delivered to the rear wheel it just spins. Do you have a rear stand? Now may be a good time to get one.
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November 13th, 2012, 11:40 PM | #8 | |
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It is super uncommon for these bikes to have transmission problems. Yes it's possible. But I highly doubt it. He just needs to get the bike in neutral and figure out how to get it started. Then go from there. No reason to tear into the engine at this point. And like Chris said, put the bike on the center stand and make sure the rear wheel isn't touching the ground. Get it started then fiddle around with the gears. |
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November 13th, 2012, 11:48 PM | #9 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
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Oh!!!
Welcome Tom!
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November 14th, 2012, 06:38 AM | #10 | |
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So, I understand that you have bought this bike although you have never seen this engine working. Being the only uni-directional part involved, it seems to me that the starter is fried and is permanently engaged for some reason. I would remove the starter from the engine and would check how it works by itself first. Retest the rotation of the wheel with the starter out.
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November 14th, 2012, 09:39 AM | #11 | |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
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I like your wording for my step #3 much better. I blame the vodka and late hours. hahahahah
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November 14th, 2012, 10:51 AM | #12 |
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sounds like a seized starter motor. i dont think its an issue with the starter clutch since he can rotate the wheel backwards. sounds like the starter motor itself has actually jammed.
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November 14th, 2012, 11:19 AM | #13 |
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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November 14th, 2012, 04:34 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Tom
Location: Northern NJ
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250 Posts: 6
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Thanks for the welcome, guys.
I bought it knowing it wasn't working correctly, it was $300 so I was willing to take the risk. I have it up on the center stand now, and trying to start it I just get the single click and that's it. I didn't even think of the starter, so I am going to get it out and see if it unlocks the wheel. Fingers crossed its just that and nothing went boom on the insides. |
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November 14th, 2012, 05:32 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: NYC
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Before you start taking it apart just try and rotate the engine manually by removing the flywheel bolt cover and putting a socket and ratchet on it. If something is jamming the engine from turning it will be very obvious. You should remove the plugs to make it easier.
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November 14th, 2012, 06:12 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Tom
Location: Northern NJ
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Quick update:
Starter is good. I rotated the engine manually and it isn't frozen. I am in neutral now, and I can get a quick crank before something locks the whole setup up. If I rotate the engine a bit, it will free it up and it will crank again. So far I know the engine is not frozen and will turn over and the starter is good and not locked up. So now it seems I am looking at a transmission issue? If the bike is in neutral it shouldn't lock up the way it does. |
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November 14th, 2012, 06:17 PM | #17 |
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Spark plugs out?
Retest the rotation of the wheel with the starter and plugs out.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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November 14th, 2012, 06:26 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
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Are you sure the battery is in good condition?
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November 14th, 2012, 06:30 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Tom
Location: Northern NJ
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250 Posts: 6
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Plugs were still in, the strange thing is that I can rotate the wheel freely before I try to start. That's when something locks up and the wheel can't rotate anymore.
The battery is back on the charger now, ran it down from all of the attempted starts. |
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November 14th, 2012, 06:33 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Tom
Location: Northern NJ
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250 Posts: 6
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November 14th, 2012, 06:58 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: NYC
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My next move would be to pull the flywheel cover. Then check the starter gear and starter reduction gear.
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November 14th, 2012, 08:29 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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It sounds like your transmission is fried. Not sure about the engine. Any strange oil leaks?
Try cranking the engine with the clutch pulled. The clutch separates the engine and transmission. Sometimes it sticks a little bit, but once freed, the engine can run with the clutch pulled if the problem is solely in the transmission. Another thing that can do what you describe is a broken cam chain. You need to take the valve cover off to see that. Try pulling the clutch to crank and see what that does.
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November 21st, 2012, 07:39 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Tom
Location: Northern NJ
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No strange leaks or anything like that. I get the same result with clutch pulled in. I can rotate the engine manually and it doesn't jam. If I crank it over it will rotate for about a second then lock up. Gonna pull the cover this weekend to get a look at the starter gear.
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November 21st, 2012, 07:53 PM | #24 | |
ninjette.org member
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November 22nd, 2012, 04:11 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
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How do you know the starter is good? That sounds a whole lot like the starter is bad to me, or some issue involving the starter at least.
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November 22nd, 2012, 06:09 AM | #26 | |
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