Weird starting noise

[jcgss77]

Anybody know what is causing this? I got the bike running fine after a few carb cleanings, and it ran and idled like new. After putting on all the fairings, my '12 ninja does this...

Link to original page on YouTube.

[DannoXYZ]

only need ID of video for youtube tags.

Link to original page on YouTube.

1. measure battery voltage with everything off. Volts = ???

2. measure battery voltage when pushing start-button. Volts = ???

[jcgss77]

@DannoXYZ Will definitely get those volts a bit later on. Thanks for the fast reply! Have you run in to this issue before?

[1994Ninja250F]

I’ve had a sound just like that before, and it was indeed the battery. Needed a new one.
But yes like the above poster mentioned, I’d put a multimeter on it with everything off. Should be somewhere around 12.5-12.8 if I remember correctly.

[DannoXYZ]

it's actually drop in voltage when cranking that'll tell us if battery's any good. Let's see those numbers.

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

it's actually drop in voltage when cranking that'll tell us if battery's any good. Let's see those numbers.

Finally dug out the multimeter!

Resting voltage is 13.15 volts

Cranking voltage went from 11.95-12 volts

I will bring the battery in to my Advance Auto for a proper testing. Definitely wondering what is causing that metal slamming sound!

EDIT: The mileage is 4400, and it seems the bike has spent some considerable time sitting in the weather, I bet with no cover/partly covered.

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by 1994Ninja250F

I’ve had a sound just like that before, and it was indeed the battery. Needed a new one.
But yes like the above poster mentioned, I’d put a multimeter on it with everything off. Should be somewhere around 12.5-12.8 if I remember correctly.

Thanks for your feedback, I have brought a few Ninjas from death but have never run into this issue before.

@Alex thanks for fixing my wonky YT link!

[DannoXYZ]

Hmm, voltage drop isn't excessive. Do one more test to verify:

1. jumper with known-good auto-battery. Connect battery with car not running.

2. measure before and during cranking voltages


This might not be as simple as it seems. Could be starter-clutch weld is cracking. Does it make difference in sound with clutch-lever squeezed?

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

Hmm, voltage drop isn't excessive. Do one more test to verify:

1. jumper with known-good auto-battery. Connect battery with car not running.

2. measure before and during cranking voltages


This might not be as simple as it seems. Could be starter-clutch weld is cracking. Does it make difference in sound with clutch-lever squeezed?

I never start a bike without the lever squeezed. Seen far too many vids of bikes jumping away from the rider, and just have put that practice into muscle memory as a result. The metal on metal sound only happens occasionally, but I keep having issues with the carb jets getting clogged. There was dirt literally EVERYWHERE in this bike, even up in the plastic housings where the light cluster and starter cluster are.

Will jump from a car, really can't for the life of me figure out how I forgot to do that.

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

Hmm, voltage drop isn't excessive. Do one more test to verify:

1. jumper with known-good auto-battery. Connect battery with car not running.

2. measure before and during cranking voltages


This might not be as simple as it seems. Could be starter-clutch weld is cracking. Does it make difference in sound with clutch-lever squeezed?

Attempting start jumped from my truck (not running, of course) did not make any starting difference, except that the cranking seemed faster/healthier. The bike sometimes starts, sometimes makes that metal sound in the first post, and sometimes cranks but just makes deep puffing sounds, but tries to start.

Just a few minutes ago I had it running and it idled well, so it seems the carbs are not an issue any further, but I need the oil change to give it a proper ride test.

When it makes the metal noises, I disconnect the battery for about 5 minutes, and that makes the bike able to crank or start without the metal noise. I forgot to test the voltage when running and on a successful start. Will post those later, if they help.