Bike wont start...

[faabiian3]

I've recently bough a new bike (Suzuki intruder.. 125) Yes it's only a 125, but it's a stepping stone for me to move on to a bigger bike. I've had no problems but recently it's had trouble starting. Ill run through everything that's been done and that could contribute to the factor.
I firstly I ran out of fuel once, not a problem, bike came to a stop and switched to reserve fuel, rid to station and topped up. Again I ran out of fuel (different occasion), reserve fuel on, station, filled up.
I recently cleaned my bike and decided to do a few maintenance tasks such as tightening the chain. I also sprayed more or less everything (all around the carb too) with WD40, this is when the problems started occurring. I noticed a slight whirling sound when slowing down after I tightened the chain (different problem all together - any suggestions? Chain too tight?). and I also noticed smoke coming from the cylinders (probably from WD40 heating up and evaporating). But after I parked the bike and came back after, say 5 hours, the bike would start. I put the choke on and still nothing. Ended up bump starting it after 30 minutes of electric start and bump start fails, but it finally got going. I thought it could be the oil as it was very black, so I changed it and not much happened, no different to ignition, I then thought it could be the battery, so after 5 attempts bump starting it I took it for a 1hr ride and then it started fine after, (first time within 30 minutes of not riding). So I thought I had solved the problem. Rid to work, came out after and then... nothing, the bike would start not even after a few bump starts, with help from my friends and after turning the choke OFF, it decided to start, and was fine for another 40 minutes. The electric start works, but it doesn't 'catch on' and The bike doesn't want to actually get going, the catching sound is there when you hold the ignition switch. But nothing after. I can also add that whilst its was 'catching' and I was holding the ignition switch and clutch down, the battery was either smoking or burning some rubber on top of it, I hadn't even been riding.
And for reference, my bike is a Suzuki Intruder VL.
Thanks all for your help in advance. I would really appreciate any feedback! - Ride safe.

[Commuter_Tim]

Hi, Welcome to the forum.
You sound quite emotional when you talk about it being a 125, I'm sure that won't stop people helping you, the fact that its a cruiser however...
You're more likely to get help here than from a mechanic (if you're me)

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewforum.php?f=33 this is the workshop section BTW, its for threads like yours, you will get better responses in there, but I'm sure a mod will probably end up moving it for you at some point.
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The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

[faabiian3]

Hello thanks for the reply, I'll give it a shot! Well, 125's are great, guess I just miss judged the perception of them haha

[Commuter_Tim]

Oh also if you split the block of text into manageable chunks people will be more likely to reply.
The lazy ones may be happy to help, but on reading the eye-rape, will likely go TL:DR and move on.

I would help with your actual problem, but I'm still learning this stuff too.
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The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

[faabiian3]

Thanks again buddy, I've taken your advice on board!

[andy_uk]

[Clutchy]

Andy you did make me laugh but c'mon, he's miles away from 'man gt rs125 wot powband' I think you were a bit harsh


Not that I read the wall-o-text anyway.


Back to the issue:

Chain is probably too tight, you should have around 1.25 inches of free play at the tightest point but that does vary.

Sounds like your battery 'could' be at fault, have you got a multimeter to hand? If not go to B&Q and grab one, they're only a fiver and report back once you have it.
____________________
Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[Clutchy]

Whoops other Andy got in before me


Giving the bike a general service, plugs, air filter etc is worth doing if you just bought the bike and may well sort a problem, that or you may find it while servicing it!
____________________
Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[daemonoid]

[faabiian3]

Thanks all for your help and suggestions, I'll have a look in the service manual, and inspect the bike further!

[cheeseman]

[Andy_Pagin]

[The Disapproving Brit]

https://i.imgur.com/C8wvfh1.png
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[talkToTheHat]

If the engine doesn't turn over or only turns slowly when you press the starter, it's the battery. Start bike using jump leads from a car battery. If that works ride to a bike shop and get new battery, or have one delivered.

Drain the carb (look up how to do this safely), is the petrol clean or full of gunk? Is there any petrol? Wouldn't be the first time I've forgotten to turn the fuel tap on.

Pull the cap off the spark plug and using a spare plug check you have spark. Remove spark plug, is it wet with petrol or oil or coved in dry carbon fouling?
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Clutchy]

[quote="talkToTheHat"]If that works ride to a bike shop and get new battery, or have one delivered.
quote]

Yeah, don't do that bit straight away, lets find out if its actually charging the battery, that will avoid buying a battery if it turns out you never needed one!
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Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[Commuter_Tim]

[The Disapproving Brit]

[daemonoid]

[stinkwheel]

I have split out the worst of the (frankly excessive and unecessary) flaming in this thread.

OPs approach was initially polite. A polite request was made about the formatting of the text, it was politely taken on board.

If you want to keep battering on about it, the remainder of the thread is in F&FW, post away.
Link here.

I'm moving the thread to the Workshop section where I would like to hope any further posts are of a mechanical nature.

In B4 stinkwheel a nazi, muh freedoms etc..
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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.

[Commuter_Tim]

[pdg]

Let's calm down and help the kid out eh?

Have you checked your powerband tension?
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Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[Fisty]

[Commuter_Tim]

[Nobby the Bastard]

So, how did 'The disapproving brit' survive the cull when I was banished?
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Commuter_Tim]