introduction and problem!

mark439 · 06-17-2005, 9:39 AM

Hello all,

I've been lurking for a while and finally purchased a yellow and black '01 929. I purchased from a co-worker 500 miles away and thought I got a smoking deal. It's stone stock with only 7k on it and I know it's been babied. I thought all it needed was a new set of tires. I'm all set to meet and get it tomorrow but now he calls and said it won't start. He just put a new battery in it 2 weeks ago and it ran fine. It started 2 days ago fine. Now it just cranks. The lights come on and don't dim so it doesn't really sound like a battery or connection? I'm thinking this may be a bad regulator/rectifier from what I've searched. Do you guys agree? I did a few searches on how to check and they referred me to the Electrex site. The only checks I see are voltage checks with the bike running. Is there just a way to ohm it out because the bike won't start. Sorry for so many questions, I'm just trying to troubleshoot this thing second hand and see if I need to get some parts coming. Actually I probably should have put this in the elctrical section but I wasn't sure if it would be seen. Thanks in advance for your help!

Red Rider · 06-17-2005, 9:51 AM

Welcome to 'Blades! I doubt it's the reg/rectifier if it cranked fine when the battery was installed. There is a chance the owner possibly flooded it (yes, it is possible to flood an FI bike). Tell him to charge the battery and try again and see if the fuel pump pressurizes. If it does and it won't start than have him hold the throttle wide open and try starting again (release the throttle as soon as it starts). If that still doesn't get it to fire, I'd check the plugs, replace if necessary, and start the procedure over again. Good luck...let us know what happens.

mark439 · 06-17-2005, 9:58 AM

Thanks for the quick response. He is going to go home at lunch to try what I tell him. Do you think he could just try jump starting it from a car since he won't be able to charge it? Anymore suggestions, keep 'em coming. Thanks again.

Red Rider · 06-17-2005, 10:01 AM

You'll get different opinions on whether its a good idea to jumpstart a bike from a car (and I've never done it so I can't tell you either way). If you do try jumpstarting, it might be a good idea to leave the car engine off during the process (and I'm sure someone will debate that, too!).

sheepofblue · 06-17-2005, 11:03 AM

I have jump started the Ascot with no problem or damage (battery was toast and I was on the road). I do like the no engine running idea though. A bike has very low CCA compared to a car (even less on a small bike like my Ascot).

mark439 · 06-17-2005, 1:02 PM

Well he had put the new battery on the charger last night. It measured 13.5 volts. Still no start. He tried holding it WFO with no luck either. He said that he doesn't smell any gas. You had mentioned checking to see if the fuel pump pressurizes. How would one know? In any case I guess I'll be picking up a dead bike tomorrow. If I pull the plugs and am not getting any spark would my problem likely be the stator? Thanks again for any feedback.

Bacchus · 06-17-2005, 1:14 PM

You should hear the fuel pump as soon as you turn on the ignition switch.

Red Rider · 06-17-2005, 3:22 PM

The fuel pump makes a sound when you initially turn on the key. Are there any fault codes flashing on the LCD (speedometer)? Here's a troubleshooting chart from the manual...

PrplHaz4 · 06-17-2005, 7:44 PM

not trying to be a jerk or anything, but have him double check the kill switch and make sure the bike isn't in gear when turning the key

a bad kickstand switch or bank sensor could also be the culprit...

mark439 · 06-17-2005, 8:53 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. He's going to take it to the dealer tomorrow to have them take a look. The dealer was saying it's probably just fouled plugs, but it sounds like a hindu rope trick to change them. I just feel better getting the bike already running and the seller agreed. I'll let you know the outcome. Still bikeless....