Won't start

[Momaru]

Went to start up for a quick trip out to the grocery store; did all the usual pre-flights, and checked out. But when I went to start her up, wouldn't start, with or without choke. Starter sounds fine & occasionally would get one or two rotations on the engine (like it was starting to run), but won't do more than that. It's been sitting for about 4 days with a fresh tank o' gas & ran fine this past weekend, no changes since.

To top it off, I'm on the way outta town, so can't answer any helpful questions til then. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[kkim]

sounds like your battery might need charging.

[CC Cowboy]

4 days, more like kill switch

[BlueTyke]

Oh no! I hope you figure it out Paul!

[kkim]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

4 days, more like kill switch

if the kill switch is enabled, the bike wouldn't even turn over.

[Momaru]

Managed to borrow a computer.

It's definitely not the killswitch, passed that particular check, but thanks :-)

The battery doesn't sound weak @ all; had plenty of those on my truck so think I have an idea what it sounds like (if it's nothing like a weak battery on a car, please let me know ). Seems odd the battery would need charge 5 days after a 10-hour ride and only one start-up the day after (no trouble). That and I tried cranking it a few dozen times, sounds didn't get any weaker. I'll give it a swing when I get back though.

What struck me is is seemed like the combustion itself wasn't starting, only one in like 5 tries would I get the cough of a piston firing. Sounded kinda like when I flooded the engine last fall, but I gave it half an hour and tried again to no avail. Could I have completely gummed the carbs or jets? (not sure if that's a possible result, just after 5 hours of driving while wondering, brain was coming up with any jargon it could)

[kkim]

If you think it's flooded, try this....

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

[Momaru]

Ah ha! I knew there was a good reason twisting the throttle seemed like a good idea @ the time; just didn't twist it far enough. Will get back to ya on sunday with results, and actually break out the service manual for an honest read-thru like I've been meaning to but procrastinating on.

Until then, and if anyone has any additional bright ideas, thanks for the

[kkim]

have you checked your fuel petcock to make sure it's in the "on" position and not the "prime" position?

[Momaru]

No, I admit I didn't look, but I've never moved it from 'on.' Guess I should check to see if it's shifted around on me.

[noche_caliente]

no worries Paul - we'll get you up and running, and if not we can get you to Hillbilly

[voodoomaster]

Sounds a bit like my current problem with my machine not starting after sitting in the heat (>100 deg F). This morning I drilled out the vent holes in the gas cap, which eliminated the squealing from the tank. Verified that all the evap can lines were clean. Still very long time cranking to get it to turn over. Since the air temp is so hot, does that mean the mixture is rich now?

[Momaru]

Dave, no idea on yours. I think my travel-fogged brain is telling me the warm air would have a little less oxygen in it than cooler air, which would bias the mixture.

Re: my issue: it seemed to be a combination of my idle setting being abysmally low (I have no idea how that got changed, like the fuel petcock, it was fine so I haven't messed with it) and the engine being flooded. After about 5 minutes of trying various combinations of choke open/closed and throttle open/closed, it sputtered to life and ran quite happily once I adjusted the idle via the handy twist-knob. We'll see if it's still happy come morning. Thanks a boodle for the assist and hard thinkin' all, hopefully that's all it was.

[kkim]

cool...

maybe someone played with the idle control knob? is the bike out in the open for anyone to get to?

[Momaru]

Yeah, as I'm in an apartment, I have to leave it in the lot, but it's covered 5 days in 7 and had been since I got back from the ride on 8/1. Entirely possible some passerby fiddled with it while I had it uncovered or even they picked it up to look and said 'ooh, knob! wonder what it does...'
Goodness knows weirder things have happened in this college town.

I suppose it just seems odd, especially since that knob's such a PitA to turn even when you mean to because the cable it's on wants to rotate with it.

Ah well, who knows. Will update if I get any more clues, but at the moment just happy to have been worried about a (mostly) nothing.

[kkim]

Glad to hear you've got the bike sorted out... now it's time to ride.