ignition and backfire problems

[Mantzy]

Okay, sometimes it starts when I fire the ignition, other times it does bugger all. Doesn't even tick over. Nothing at all. And then when I get it going and pulling away, when it hits about 7k rpm it backfires. Oh and the left rear indicator doesn't work/keeps blowing.

ANy suggestions would be grateful...other than sell it on on ebay
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Odie]

What bike has the problem.
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You are so ugly when you were born the doctor said "I?m gonna drop it, if it falls is a rat, if it flies is a bat."

[Mantzy]

[Mantzy]

can no-one help?
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Finglonga]

[Mantzy]

Yeah, I know...I'm sorry! When I wrote it I was being a miserable git. I apologise. Hope I didn't cause any offence. Could someone help me though? I've got a Sachs XTC and it keeps backfiring in first while I'm pulling away and i have to bump start it all the time as the leccy start won't work. Don't think it's a specific problem with XTCs in general...and the garage I go to cost a bloody fortune in labour costs, so don't really want to go there if I can order the parts and fix it myself.

Any hints?
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[stinkwheel]

Certainly sounds electrical. You sure Sachs isn't an Itallian company in disguise?

Well, could be any number of things. I think a systematic approach is best.

First off. Idiot switches. I am willing to bet that bike is riddled with them. There will be one under the clutch and one at the sidestand which act as 'safety interlocks' to stop you 1) riding off with the sidestand down. and 2) Attempting to start the bike in gear without the clutch pulled in. Either could have gone tits-up. Sidestand switches are a favourite. Unless you are a complete numpty who is going to ride off with the stand down more than once (you always do it once), solder the two wires that go into the switch together and shrinktube them to bypass the switch, if it isn't causing a problem now, you can bet it will (and on a cold dark night in the middle of nowhere).

Battery? it is the time of year for spontaneous battery death. Try it with a different battery on (or jump starting it from a car). If this works, buy a new battery. We recently had a problem with my mates bike, you could turn it over on the starter with no-joy. Changed the battery and away she went.

Regulator? voltage regulator randomly dumping current to earth? measure the voltage accross the battery as you rev the bike. It should go up to around 14 volts.

Solenoid? Follow the big fat wire coming from the battery positive, it should connect to the solenoid, there will be other wires attaching here too (sometimes even a fuse). Check all the terminals are free from corrosion as they are prone to it.

I would then check the usual plug, cap, lead, coil combo. Then a systematic check and clean of all the terminals you can find. Finally worry about the CDI unit.

I bet it is the sidestand switch
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Mantzy]

[stinkwheel]

I had a bike that developed a peculiar fault assosciated with the indicators when one phase of the rectifier broke down. The flasher come on (with the switch off) and every time it flashed, the engine cut-out.

I have no idea to this day why it happened.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kram]

i would say (after rebuilding bike electrics). the right rear indicator blowing would either be a bad earth (which would also result in backfires as the CDI + generator cannot generate a charge cos theres no where for it to go). or the solenoid coulod be bad. i've gone through 2 in a year (i should really fix that.. oh well bikes totaled now;)). these, you just undo the 2 bolts, and attack it with a wire brush. on the terminals, to remove any crap that's there.

there also might be a lose wire shorting on the fram (possible on the indicator loom. just check this one over as well. is the bike kept out of rain, or is it always outside (your generator might be sat in a puddle of water )
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FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4