Bike down...won't start

Lurkable · November 18th, 2009, 03:36 PM

Well I walked out of my apartment 30 minutes ago to see my bike on it's side for the first time...seems someone knocked it over with their car. Needless to say I'm really angry and it's making my very uncomfortable.

Anyway, it fell on it's left side against the street curb. Besides a bunch of scratches on the fairing, the main problem is that it won't start. When I try to start it I hear a sound like something that's trying to spin is blocked. The inside of the fairing is touching the bottom of the block, I guess it's the oil pan and....the foam inside the fairing is soaked. The bike itself wasn't dripping anything but I'm afraid that's just because the foam is soaking it up. I have class soon so I may not get a chance to take the fairing off until tomorrow but until then...any ideas what to look for?

kkim · November 18th, 2009, 03:48 PM

is the foam soaked with gas? does the bike turn over at all when you hit the start button?

Snake · November 18th, 2009, 04:15 PM

I hope you called the police so they can right a report for insurance purposes.

Lurkable · November 18th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Added some pics. When I put it up on the stand I noticed something yellowish dripping from the bottom of the fairing. I took off both fairings and couldn't see anything really wrong. Tried starting it again....now the starter seems to be working, but the engine won't actually start.

It's hard to say about the liquid in the foam...when I took the fairings off nothing was dripping anymore. Oil and coolant are both full. My neighbor said he thought it smelled like gasoline and I'm not sure myself (bad sense of smell) but I guess maybe it kind of does.

I will get a police report but it will have to wait as I have class now. =(

CZroe · November 18th, 2009, 04:30 PM

This happens so often that I learned to ALWAYS park my bike as far out in the space/stall as possible for maximum visibility. I also usually choose a less desirable space based on visibility... a space next to hedges, a cart-corral, or a curb instead of a closer space next to another space (another space could soon be occupied by another vehicle that blocks a third vehicle from seeing yours).

God luck fixing it.

kkim · November 18th, 2009, 04:38 PM

most likely flooded from laying on it's side. try this...

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_ca..._I_flood_it%3F

Lurkable · November 18th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Thanks Kim I think you are right...just got home from class and my apartment smells like gasoline (soaked fairing inside). What I don't understand is where the fuel could have leaked from exactly.

austexjg · November 18th, 2009, 05:54 PM

That's why I hate parking my bike at all - everytime I do it, I walk back with some hesitation. Good luck...

HKr1 · November 18th, 2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurkable

Thanks Kim I think you are right...just got home from class and my apartment smells like gasoline (soaked fairing inside). What I don't understand is where the fuel could have leaked from exactly.

Float bowl vents.

Lurkable · November 18th, 2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks everyone, bike is running fine. Only thing broken is the fairing. I live on campus at sfsu and the street is the only place they'll let me park my bike. Of course people try to squeeze their cars into spaces that don't exist and stuff like this happens.

Well there are all these un-used covered parking spaces literally right next to my apartment that are owned by the university and they won't let students use them. This...from a school that's seriously hurting from budget cutbacks. Gonna take on the bureaucracy tomorrow, wish me luck!

Snake · November 18th, 2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurkable

Thanks everyone, bike is running fine. Only thing broken is the fairing. I live on campus at sfsu and the street is the only place they'll let me park my bike. Of course people try to squeeze their cars into spaces that don't exist and stuff like this happens.

Well there are all these un-used covered parking spaces literally right next to my apartment that are owned by the university and they won't let students use them. This...from a school that's seriously hurting from budget cutbacks. Gonna take on the bureaucracy tomorrow, wish me luck!

When you talk to the school tomorrow see if they have cameras that may have cought the culprit.

kkim · November 18th, 2009, 08:19 PM

lube yor chain.

OldGuy · November 18th, 2009, 09:17 PM

and give that engine a good cleaning while you have the fairings off, please.

Lurkable · November 19th, 2009, 12:36 AM

Haha, I knew someone would notice that chain...it's been outside for a few days with no cover. Also that's the original chain which brings me to another question for those of you who are still paying attention...

17k miles later, and I was planning on replacing the chain next time I have the bike serviced. But I just wanted to mention that I cleaned and adjusted the chain a couple weeks ago and noticed as I was spinning the rear wheel that the chain was significantly tighter in certain sections. I'm assuming this is what happens to old chains and a sign that it should be replaced. Basically it was hell to adjust this time...every time I thought I had it perfect I would go to tighten the axle nut and find that all of a sudden...zero slack! Went through about 5 cotter pins...also due to the fact that the bike has been stored outside since I moved here the swingarms are just plain dirty and the adjusters seemed almost not to be moving.

kkim · November 19th, 2009, 01:45 AM

clean and lube your chain every 400 miles. worn chains are usually measured by how far you can lift the chain off the rear sprocket. If you can lift it more that the 1/2 the height of the sprocket tooth, it's time for a new chain. the number one cause for a destroyed chain is inadequate lubrication. A properly cared for O ring chain should last a lot longer than 17k miles.

see a pattern forming here?

cifex · November 19th, 2009, 11:47 AM

I gasped when I saw that chain!

Sound Wave · November 20th, 2009, 12:37 AM

i think that has to be one of the rustiest chains i have seen.

anyways, glad to hear that you got your problem fixed. sorry about the hit and run though. those chicken kaka people piss me off. be an adult and own up.

CZroe · November 23rd, 2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurkable

Haha, I knew someone would notice that chain...it's been outside for a few days with no cover. Also that's the original chain which brings me to another question for those of you who are still paying attention...

17k miles later, and I was planning on replacing the chain next time I have the bike serviced. But I just wanted to mention that I cleaned and adjusted the chain a couple weeks ago and noticed as I was spinning the rear wheel that the chain was significantly tighter in certain sections. I'm assuming this is what happens to old chains and a sign that it should be replaced. Basically it was hell to adjust this time...every time I thought I had it perfect I would go to tighten the axle nut and find that all of a sudden...zero slack! Went through about 5 cotter pins...also due to the fact that the bike has been stored outside since I moved here the swingarms are just plain dirty and the adjusters seemed almost not to be moving.

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago. I probably even stretched the chain!

November 18th, 2009, 03:36 PM	#1
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Bike down...won't start Well I walked out of my apartment 30 minutes ago to see my bike on it's side for the first time...seems someone knocked it over with their car. Needless to say I'm really angry and it's making my very uncomfortable. Anyway, it fell on it's left side against the street curb. Besides a bunch of scratches on the fairing, the main problem is that it won't start. When I try to start it I hear a sound like something that's trying to spin is blocked. The inside of the fairing is touching the bottom of the block, I guess it's the oil pan and....the foam inside the fairing is soaked. The bike itself wasn't dripping anything but I'm afraid that's just because the foam is soaking it up. I have class soon so I may not get a chance to take the fairing off until tomorrow but until then...any ideas what to look for?

November 18th, 2009, 09:17 PM	#13
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	and give that engine a good cleaning while you have the fairings off, please. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

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November 18th, 2009, 03:48 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	is the foam soaked with gas? does the bike turn over at all when you hit the start button?

November 18th, 2009, 04:15 PM	#3
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I hope you called the police so they can right a report for insurance purposes.

November 18th, 2009, 04:19 PM	#4
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Added some pics. When I put it up on the stand I noticed something yellowish dripping from the bottom of the fairing. I took off both fairings and couldn't see anything really wrong. Tried starting it again....now the starter seems to be working, but the engine won't actually start. It's hard to say about the liquid in the foam...when I took the fairings off nothing was dripping anymore. Oil and coolant are both full. My neighbor said he thought it smelled like gasoline and I'm not sure myself (bad sense of smell) but I guess maybe it kind of does. I will get a police report but it will have to wait as I have class now. =(

November 18th, 2009, 04:30 PM	#5
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	This happens so often that I learned to ALWAYS park my bike as far out in the space/stall as possible for maximum visibility. I also usually choose a less desirable space based on visibility... a space next to hedges, a cart-corral, or a curb instead of a closer space next to another space (another space could soon be occupied by another vehicle that blocks a third vehicle from seeing yours). God luck fixing it.

November 18th, 2009, 04:38 PM	#6
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	most likely flooded from laying on it's side. try this... http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_ca..._I_flood_it%3F

November 18th, 2009, 05:40 PM	#7
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Thanks Kim I think you are right...just got home from class and my apartment smells like gasoline (soaked fairing inside). What I don't understand is where the fuel could have leaked from exactly.

November 18th, 2009, 05:54 PM	#8
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	That's why I hate parking my bike at all - everytime I do it, I walk back with some hesitation. Good luck...

November 18th, 2009, 07:37 PM	#10
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Thanks everyone, bike is running fine. Only thing broken is the fairing. I live on campus at sfsu and the street is the only place they'll let me park my bike. Of course people try to squeeze their cars into spaces that don't exist and stuff like this happens. Well there are all these un-used covered parking spaces literally right next to my apartment that are owned by the university and they won't let students use them. This...from a school that's seriously hurting from budget cutbacks. Gonna take on the bureaucracy tomorrow, wish me luck!

November 18th, 2009, 08:19 PM	#12
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	lube yor chain.

November 19th, 2009, 12:36 AM	#14
Lurkable 250Arrrgh! Name: Andrew Location: San Francisco Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2001 996 Posts: 143	Haha, I knew someone would notice that chain...it's been outside for a few days with no cover. Also that's the original chain which brings me to another question for those of you who are still paying attention... 17k miles later, and I was planning on replacing the chain next time I have the bike serviced. But I just wanted to mention that I cleaned and adjusted the chain a couple weeks ago and noticed as I was spinning the rear wheel that the chain was significantly tighter in certain sections. I'm assuming this is what happens to old chains and a sign that it should be replaced. Basically it was hell to adjust this time...every time I thought I had it perfect I would go to tighten the axle nut and find that all of a sudden...zero slack! Went through about 5 cotter pins...also due to the fact that the bike has been stored outside since I moved here the swingarms are just plain dirty and the adjusters seemed almost not to be moving.

November 19th, 2009, 01:45 AM	#15
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	clean and lube your chain every 400 miles. worn chains are usually measured by how far you can lift the chain off the rear sprocket. If you can lift it more that the 1/2 the height of the sprocket tooth, it's time for a new chain. the number one cause for a destroyed chain is inadequate lubrication. A properly cared for O ring chain should last a lot longer than 17k miles. see a pattern forming here?

November 19th, 2009, 11:47 AM	#16
cifex ninjette.org guru Name: Z Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 356	I gasped when I saw that chain!

November 20th, 2009, 12:37 AM	#17
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	i think that has to be one of the rustiest chains i have seen. anyways, glad to hear that you got your problem fixed. sorry about the hit and run though. those chicken kaka people piss me off. be an adult and own up.