Hey All,
I'm new to this forum and been doing a lot of searching but unable to find a fix. I have a 03 RC51 all stock with a new battery as I turn the key to the "ON" position the starter automatically cranks but doesn't disengage until I turn the key back onto the "OFF" position. Has anyone encountered this situation or has a recommended trouble shooting path? Thanks...
Welcome to the forum, likely your control switch to the right is shorting inside. If that's not the problem then you may have a short of some sort at your starter relay. Either way, you are getting continuity on your starter circuit which is keeping the starter engaged...
My opinion, the relay is faulty. A relay (solenoid) can become stuck in one of the two positions it operates; either open or closed. If you use a voltmeter you can see if the starter switch on the handlebars is always providing voltage to the relay or not. Chances are, it is not. This would mean the relay is stuck and always providing current to the starter motor.
It can only be one of three parts, the switch on the handlebars, wiring between it and the relay and the relay itself.
The starter relay is located near the battery.
An OE will run you around $70. On eBay you can find generic ones for $8 including shipping. If you didn't want to spend time testing, buy a generic one to see if that is the culprit. If it is, you can either use the generic one or start looking for a OE (new or used.) At least in the interim you have a motorcycle to use. In the interim, carry a few extra fuses and after the bike is started, pull the fuse out. The hard part is you will need to constantly remove the seat (not the pillion seat) to get access to the fuse.
Thanks for the suggestions and this issue was an operator error! While transporting the bike I used a canyon dancer strap which wedged the start button down and put it in a stuck position. I took Sabotage's response and disassembled the start switch assembly and was able to release the button from the start position so now its operating as normal. Currently, I'm trying to figure out how to start the bike. The manual says to use the choke from a cold start but I see people on youtube starting the bike without using the choke. From troubleshooting the initial issue I had I may have flooded the bike.
^ Yes, the "fuel enrichment circuit" knob should be pulled out during cold engine starts and then pushed back in after a few seconds once the engine is running (it's in the owner's manual, if you didn't get one btw). Don't leave the knob pulled out for any longer than necessary (as in "several minutes on end" like some of the dipshits out there in Youtube land, etc LOL).
For daily riding duty, you'll likely find yourself using the "choke" while getting the bike fired up for the 1st time of the day (or after several hours of letting it sit/engine cooled off completely) and during cold weather starts (probably doesn't apply to you, after looking at your location LOL).
Anyways, glad you found the culprit with the starter button. Don't forget to check your fuses and the fuel pressure regulator (FPR) if you continue to have starting problems (common problems on Hondas).
With all of the excessive cranking that took place, it's probably not a bad idea to pull/inspect your sparkplugs too (might as well replace 'em with new ones while you're performing the rest of your maintenance checks on this new-to-you bike, right?).
I had a feeling that you had a starting problem from your initial post. Usually, when you hold the start button, the bike will crank, then start. If you continue to hold the starter button after the engine fires up, from my recollection, you hear the engine on and the starter motor producing a winding sound. For the starter motor to just continue to crank as you stated, you must of had a starting issue before the excessive cranking problem. as COBRA suggested, maintenance should be next on your agenda.
You seem to for foreign with the motorcycle mechanics so please do not feel insulted with some suggestions I am about to give you.
1) Make sure you have gas in the tank
2) Make sure your battery is not dead/weak, you needs a strong crank. If you know how to use a multi-meter, the battery should read above 12.6 V as an indication of it being healthy
3) Take some starter fluid and shoot it in the intakes, this will let you know if its a fuel or spark problem. If it starts fuel, if not likely spark.
Since you have the manual go through the maintenance section after you identify the route of your starting problem.
A moot point now, but the starter relay and 30amp fuse is located on the outside left of the subframe. You have to remove the tail section to get to it.
Pull the choke knob (on the left side) all the way out when you try to start the bike. Let it warm up at about 2000 rpm for about 30 seconds. then feather the choke knob in to about 1500-1600 rpm until you reach about 150F degrees. By now you should be able to push the choke all the way in. The bike should idle at about1100-1200 rpm's. Which is just a tad low. If not, you need to adjust the idle, the other knob, on the right side.
Get the bike up to operating temp, anywhere from about 185 to 220F. At that point you should adjust the Idle knob, on the right side, so the bike idles at 1200-1300 rpm's.
On a side note, once you let the bike reach 220 degrees, the fans should kick on. It's a good idea to check this. They shut back off at 209F. It's perfectly safe to run the engine in this heat range. Anything over 135, you should start worrying. If you see anything above 140F, I would shut the bike off. 151F is the critical point where engine damage is likely to occur.
Good luck, and check back in any time you have problems.
Oh yeah, lets talk about getting your suspension set up for your weight.
Jondog9,
Thanks for the tips! Besides setting up Sag what other tips do you have in regards to suspension setup or anything you feel might be of use? Through my years of racing and riding I've learned to research first then ask questions next to prevent collateral damage in the meantime I'm always grateful for people that share their expert opinion or lessons learned. This is my first Vtwin so I'm just learning the bike and I don't plan on riding it on the track. My friend actually gave me the bike because he doesn't have room in his garage and its in great condition with it being all stock. Thanks..
BTW- I know TZ250 and Gixxer 1ks very well so hit me up if you have any questions regarding those bikes.
I'll be in the LA area in couple months, with any luck. Visiting my parents. I bring my bike when I come, so maybe I can hit you up and see if you want to ride.
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