Flat Battery... Big Bang... Oh Dear!!

[Glory Hunter]

First off, thanks to the guys who responded to my post re-replacing the chain below.

Now a more pressing issue. A while ago (around early December), I noticed a screw stuck into the tread of my rear tyre. I loosened it slightly and realised it was punctured and, having no immediate use for the bike, I put the issue to bed for a while.

Now, this is where my stupidity comes in. I've booked my bike in to get the puncture repaired on Friday so thought that I would turn the engine over tonight just to make sure all was in order (I started the bike the other week and all seemed fine). So, stupidly, I tried starting the bike with the lights on and promptly flattened the battery. So I asked a mate to give me a jump start (from his car). Well we got the leads connected, and I started to turn the bike over, and there was no discernible sound of the engine catching. Anyway after a few attempts to start the engine, the exhaust backfired with a huge bang and a big puff of smoke (which scared the sh1t out of a passing pedestrian I can tell you!).

Not knowing a huge amount about the internal combustion engine I am now worried I have done some serious damage to the bike. All seems to be in order electrics wise but still no joy starting it, I suspect it may be flooded as subsequent attempts to start it resulted in a bit of a pong of petrol.

I would be grateful for any advice you may have, and please feel free to call me an idiot
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2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[finpos]

I wouldn't worry about it too much - churning the engine over will have dumped a load of unburnt fuel into the exhaust, then a partial ignition will have lit it up. It does happen. At worst, you might have spit your exhaust somewhere if it in the old-and-tired category.

finpos.

[Glory Hunter]

That's a relief, though possibly a worry about the exhaust splitting. I might try jump starting it again tomorrow night and see how I get on.

Any tips on jump starting and avoiding flooding?
____________________
2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[finpos]

You can never beat a nice new set of plugs in a reluctant starter.

But if it's not starting, don't keep caning the poor thing

finpos.

[Glory Hunter]

Yeah, the problem is the plugs are in the most ridiculous position on a CB500, I might try to replace them if I have no joy tomorrow.

Cheers.
____________________
2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[Odie]

It WILL be the plugs, change them.
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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."

[Glory Hunter]

Thanks Odie,

Problem is I didn't see your post til just now.

I feel I have just been the victim of the biggest rip-off since Brinks Mat!!

Wheeled my bike down to my local 'main' dealer as it's only about a 2 min walk from my house.

Chap tried to start the bike on a jump pack, no joy. So he suggests one hour of fault investigation.

Result, new plugs at £15.00 plus one-hour's labour, plus VAT, total £70.00!!!!

I appreciate their help and at least I now have a bike that works but that is just so steep.

In light of this I have now resolved to teach myself the art of motorcycle maintenance. I'm going to start next month by buying a socket-set and new chain and sprockets (and possibly a scaffolding bar). If anyone in Bristol wants to stand around, point and laugh (and offer any useful hints too!) while I attempt this then please pm me.
____________________
2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[sagiliam]

[Glory Hunter]

Nope, I think I was the victim of what you call a captive market. I couldn't take the bike elsewhere, I wasn't sure it was the plugs, and I'm not sure that I could've done the job myself (I don't know if this is normal but the plugs on a CB500 are tucked away right under the petrol tank and I couldn't work out how to get my plug spanner on them).

Yes, I am a mug, I admit, they saw me coming. I should have known better. I guess this is the problem you have when you have no biker mates who can lend on the spot advice. Unfortunately after I had entrusted it to them I could hardly refuse to pay.

I can only guarantee that I will not be trusting this garage with any of my posessions in the future.

I don't want to name the garage but anyone in Bristol will know it as a big main dealer on a roundabout near the train station.
____________________
2003 Suzuki VanVan - Sold
2000 Honda CB500 - written off by a spoilt brat with no manners
2005 Yamaha XT660 - I'm in lurve....

[timjim]

From what you say,it sounds like the flat battery caused the bike to "flood" and soak the plugs and prevent ignition..the resulting bang was PROBABLY just excess fuel detonating.It could have been rectified by removing the plugs,dring the excess off and warming the plugs with a blow lamp,hot air drier or a cigarette lighter.If the bike had been stood,then a new set of plugs wouldnt hurt in the least,but as mentioned before 70 quid is a bit steep,but as a vehicle mechanic i do understand that garages dont do very many charity cases.Get a semi decent socket set and a Haynes manual...jobs like spark plugs can be done by MOST people with a bit of motivation,but if in doubt ask about. tim