bandit 12 startup prob

[rab]

Hi All,

Bought a bandit 2005 a few weeks back to use but its been stored in the garage uptill now. I've never been out on in but have had it started up a few times without a problem.

Over the last day or two once started its been struggling and keeps cutting out, even with choke. Tried it again yesterday and it got from bad to worse and struggled to even start and then eventually just made a ticking noise like its trying to start.

I've assumed the battery is flat so im charging it at the moment. Its been on for about 5 hours and charging light is still on but its still not starting however all the lights and horn work ok.

The kill switch is off and theres plenty of fuel in the tank with the tap set to on.

Im totally new to bikes so wonder if there is there any other common things that I should look for?

[stinkwheel]

Still clicking when you press the starter?

Most likely the battery is dead. If it isn't a sealed one, have you checked the fluid level in the battery? It wont hold a charge if the plates are uncovered, top up with de-ionised water if necessary.

The way to check if this is definately the problem is to try with a known to work battery. You got a car? Try jump starting it using the car battery (leave the car engine off). If it turns over using the car battery, you have your diagnosis.

Could also potentially be a faulty connector or a duff solenoid but the battery is the most likely culprit. It's a small battery to be cranking over a 1.2 litre engine, they don't last forever.
____________________
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Pie-Roe]

You flattened the battery.

I did this with my bandit 600. Being a young male with overexcitable friends, every time it would be 'wow you have a bike, start it up' (this was before I even started my a2.

Charge the battery, put it on prime and it'll fire up. Then take it for a good ride. 20mins+

Pyro
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[rab]

Tried the prime and startup. didnt have much effect, just the good ole clicking noise.

The battery is sealed and looks to be a gel battery.

I have jump leads and a car sitting ready but sods law I cant find them anywhere.

Im going to go buy another set now

Cheers for the advice folks, will update once I try the jump from the car.

[rab]

Tried jumping it from the car battery but no joy, looks like a trip to the local garage.

The bikes only done 3k since new so its guranteed to be something i've done....

[Pie-Roe]

When you jumped it, how long did you leave it for? Try connecting it for 10 minutes, then try and start it.

After charging, did it just make the whirring/whiny noise?

If you have a (big) friend who can help I'd try to bump it. You could do it on your own depending on your experience, but with a big heavy bike such as a bandit, I personally would want to be sat on it, and have someone pushing.

I wouldn't take it to the garage just yet unless you desperatly need it. Theres a few more things you can try first and if it's a simple fix then you will be pissed that you paid lots for a garage to fix it.

Pyro
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[Pie-Roe]

Oops, forgot to ask, have you checked the connections are nice and tight?

Whereabouts in the country are you anyway?

pyro
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Should jump it is is just the battery, but make sure the jump leads are making a decent connection.

The Bandit battery is sealed. Be careful if you put it on a charger as you can kill them fairly easily.

All the best

Keith
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[rab]

Not completely sure the connections were 100% as the leads are big chunky things and the connector blocks on the bike are quite awkward to get to.

When I bought it the seller said it had been lying a while which is why he was selling it. It didnt start the first visit but on the second he said he charged it up and it was find every since. Well untill a few days ago where i've prolly drained it by showing too many friends

I dont know anyone else with a bike or experiance to fix so will buy a new battery first to rule that out. At least the garage wont sting me for picking up the bike and fitting if its just that.

Im east of Edinburgh so have a few bike shops locally I can check for a battery.

[rab]

A new battery hasnt sorted the problem and the bike just ticks over but doesnt bust into life.

I was thinking spark plugs, probably becuase thats next easy to use but I wouldnt have thought spark plugs would go withing 3000 miles new heh.

Strange, wish I wasnt such a duce

[Pete.]

IF you've been starting it in the garage and running it for a bit then switching off it's quite likely you have knackered the plugs. Fit a new set and try starting it.

As Keith said, don't use a normal charger on a gel battery or you will knacker it. Also, don't leave it flat as that will knacker it very quickly also. You should use a suitable charger such as an Optimate for keeping the battery in good condition.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[rab]

I assume that changing the plugs on a bandit 12 is a tank of job then? I've changed plugs on numerous cars but never a bike so will have to get my hands on a haynes manual

Cheers for the advice folks, much appreciated.

[Pete.]

Should be an easy enough job to do. 1 and 4 will be easier than 2 and 3 though
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[rab]

A friend of a friend paid a visit yesterday to have a quick look over the bike before I call the garage.

He loosened coil lead one from the spark plug slightly and tried to start it up. The bike, for a change actually sounded like it was starting up rather than just clicking so he also thinks a new set of spark plugs will get it going.

According to him, the spark has a bit further to jump which is why it was trying to start.

We tried a jump start with me pushing him along the road but that didnt do much so a new set of plugs are now on order

[virus]

It wont be spark plugs.

If its not turning over then it hasn't even got to the stage were it needs a spark, first of all you need to get the engine turning over.

Try bumping it.


Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[rab]