Starting Issues

[Aiderwanger]

To add to my starting issue woes, I am even angrier with car drivers who think they needn't use lights in thick fog.

Down to business.

I have just had my storm serviced and MOTd with carb balance and new lubes etc. I'm still having problems with starting it on a morning, or if it has been unused for a couple of days.

I changed the battery for a new Yuasa in case the old one was knackered (over christmas it was fully discharged a couple fo times so I thought it best). This has not given me the immediate fix I was hoping for and it still takes a while for it to start. The batt will turn the lump over but it will not fire for a few tries. Eventually it fires then starts. I then pull the choke out a bit and it is fine.

Am I worried about nothing or should I be looking at something else?

[VTRDark]

You may want to check the bolt on the starter motor. They are known to corrode rather badly giving a bad connection. Wont it's first start of the day start with the choke pulled out initially rather than after starting. You may be running a bit rich.

(:-})

[Aiderwanger]

I think it is running rich; normally it will start with the choke only out a little.

I'll have a look at the bolt - thanks!

[sirch345]

True, that starter motor terminal bolt is a good place to start with (excuse the pun, not intended), I would also check the output at the battery terminals with a multi-meter. If it's charging correctly you should get a reading between 13.5 and 15.5 volts with the engine running,

Chris.

[lloydie]

My starting technique is .
Press the starter with a little throttle and as soon as it starts I pull the choke out as far as needed .
If I try to start it with the choke out and no throttle it won't start or I get a very loud bang and at 4:30am that ain't good .
Clean up and grease the starter motor bolt to as this helps a lot .

[Aiderwanger]

I'm not overly familiar with the bike yet. Is this a complicated job or can I do it pretty quickly? I'm currently juggling baby, poorly bike and poorly wife and I'm going across Europe spoon.

[grumpyfrog]

Lloydie- funny that,yours is exact opposit to mine: choke out a bit, no throttle, and just hit the button. Nothing wrong with a big BANG first thing in the morning...

[agentpineapple]

I'm not overly familiar with the bike yet. Is this a complicated job or can I do it pretty quickly? I'm currently juggling baby, poorly bike and poorly wife and I'm going across Europe spoon.

look down behind the front wheel, you will see the starter motor with a single lead from the left hand side, on the end off the lead is a rubber boot, pull that back to reveal the terminal, it can get very corroded, attack it with a wire brush or dremmel type tool, clear away as much corrosion as possible, then tighten everything back up, apply lots of grease and put the rubber boot back on....
if I can do it anyone can....

[Aiderwanger]

Thanks. First job on my list in the morning!

[lloydie]

Lloydie- funny that,yours is exact opposit to mine: choke out a bit, no throttle, and just hit the button. Nothing wrong with a big BANG first thing in the morning...

I know all have there own ways and we as riders do too :-)

[sirch345]

Thanks. First job on my list in the morning!

Do your very best not to let that bolt spin around. If it does it can split the insulator inside the starter motor,

Chris.

[VTRDark]

I was going to send you to the read me for new members but I'm in a good mood. Had close to a bottle wine.

There's pics on page 2
Slow turning over, VERY corroded starter connections

(:-})

[Aiderwanger]

The starter bolt and rubber housing was full of rust.

It would have taken more time than I had to undo it and take it off to clean but a wire brush of the outside and around the connection made the difference. Vaselined up and put back together it started on the button again!

Thank you for the helping hand!