Just won't go

[plehman]

This is kinda stupid but here goes. New bike-to-me R90/6. Only had it running for about 80 miles. Then the starter wouldn't work until I replaced the starter motor relay (thanks guys). Now it just plain won't start.

Changed the plugs.
Battery low, I keep charging it and hope just to get the bike running.
I smell plenty of gas.
Lights on, dash lights on... It should go.

I tried to bump start it and ended up at the bottom of my huge hill, argh.

I suspect the carbs.
What do you think?

thanks

[squiffynimrod]

Fuel, spark, timing.

It ran before, and you smell gas, so maybe not carbs (Petcocks on? :bolt )

Low battery or dead battery is my guess- 12V w/ no load, ?? w/ load- pull the battery and get it checked.

Did you mess with anything that would have changed the timing?

[edwarddieck]

Ignition. Check or replace points and condenser,
Ed

[Guenther]

Peter,

"won't start" you mean not a single firing? If you smell gas then the carbs seem to do some work. Did you check the spark?

/Guenther

[plehman]

I do have a new set of points and condenser. Afraid to get into that until I run it a little more (and find a good tech article on adjusting the timing).

The battery is junk. It's a HarleyDavidson battery from the former owner. Think I'll change that and keep trying.

Thanks!

[ebeeby]

"Battery low, I keep charging it and hope just to get the bike running. "


First rule of motorcycle maintenance when you have battery problems is throw the freakin battery in the Mississippi River and start with a new battery. Proceed from *that* point.

Don't ask me how I know this.

Eric

[plehman]

I think you're right.

Battery Suggestions? It's a '76 R90/6. The originals are really big and not so convenient to fit in (or so I've heard). What's good, strong, easy...

thanks

[skiteach]

I use the garden tractor battery and a maintainer. Removing the air box seems to be the easiest, you can service\replace air filter at same time. The smaller batteries just don't seem to have enough cranking amps. My/5 came with one and a kick starter that got a lot of use. I know others will comment about thier choices, garden tractor batteries are the most economical, usually <$30 and will last 2-3 years.

[PGlaves]

Go back to where you were last! Check all of the connections at the starter relay. See if you can find a stray wire.

[ebeeby]

Odyssey sealed battery. A Westco (one year old) shorted a cell and left me stranded so the *&^% with Westco.

[Manfred]

First rule of motorcycle maintenance when you have battery problems is throw the freakin battery in the Mississippi River and start with a new battery. Proceed from *that* point.

Don't ask me how I know this.

Eric

That made me laff out loud. But be careful that the EPA or black helicopters from AlGore don't make you disappear. :jester

[rpeckham136133]

Going back to your first post: replaced starter relay, and now it just wont start...

Without a wiring diagram in front of me, I cannot confirm, but I believe that one of the relay posts actually feeds power to ignition.... you may not be getting spark. Try the red kill switch: /6's shouldn't crank over with the kill switch engaged, but take a look, just in case.

Check spark is easy-peasy on the /6 (no electronic ignition to worrry about!): pull a plug, lay it on the cylinder top with the wire attached, and crank over: look for a spark.

Tip: if plugs are wet/fouled and you don't have replacements: use the propane torch to heat the tip. It will turn red, burn our the cruddies residing down inside, and will often work again.

Keep on tryin'............... ;)