Prost Speedfight - help for a newbie, please!

timig · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Karma :

Hi

My brother has just kindly handed over his Prost Speedfight to me (a T reg). He has not driven it for over a year so I am guessing the battery is dead - when i put the key in, the lights don't even work! I tried to kick-start it, and noticed that there kick-start mechanism is not there either. Am happy to buy a new engine cover etc, but I have read about concerns with the immobilisers on these Speedfights. I only have a black key, so I was hoping someone might tell me if there is any hope for me and this bike?
Many thanks in advance for any useful help.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

If the battery's really dead, it won't have enough juice to de-activate the immobiliser. The battery in mine killed itself in 6 months of non-use, so yours is probably toast.

I dunno about black key vs. red key or anything (mine's red) but I can certainly tell you that with a stewed battery you won't be kicking it over either.

Either fit a new battery, or hook up to a booster pack (taking the old battery out completely) and see if that'll get the immobiliser lights working.

Note that I'm talking about the flashing red immobiliser LED - the main bike lights on ours (51 plate) don't come on until the engine's running so aren't a good indicator of battery situation.

timig · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Karma :

Thank you very much for your help, will try and source a decent battery for it then, though i must admit i am struggling to find the battery to replace it. Do you know where i might find a manual for it? I just hope I don't have immobiliser problems with it when the battery has been replaced, i don't fancy forking out for a new system!

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Any 12v scooter battery will do fine, should be able to get one in Halfords if there are no bike shops around.

Bought a Haynes for ours (off ebay) but I'm sure you can find one on the net. Have you checked the thread of manual links?

timig · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Karma :

Mm, looks like it will have to be a Haynes manual for me, checked all 30 odd pages and nothing on the poor old speedfight. Thanks for your help though, do you know if it is easy enough to replace the battery and if I do, will it have implications for the immob?
thanks
tim

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

The battery is dead easy, you certainly don't need a manual for that.

Just open the flap in front of the seat, disconnect the old one and connect a new one. No immobiliser problems at all (mine sat without a battery for a while, immob still works).

timig · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Karma :

thanks, lucky i had some torx bits for my screwdriver. off to get a new battery and hope for the best!

Teaman · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

if your not sure if its got an immobiliser look under the front pannel at the lock kit, if it has a plastic ring around it then its an immobilied one. the other way is the led on the clocks that flashes when not in use.
the keys are red and black if its immobilised and the red is the master key, if the immobiliser packs in its very expensive to sort out if you dont have the chip from the master key.

make sure you get the correct plug aswell. drain the carb if you must and then you will be fine. hopefully the starter motor wont have packed in, if it has there not too expensive to buy.
don't worry about the kick start mech

hope that helps.

Stu
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timig · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Karma :

Thanks for all the help.

It is immobilised as the battery is now charging and the red led is flashing. With the kind help of an RAC man, I managed to get it started and running after some carb cleaner had been sprayed on it. Ran it for 15 mins or so to try and get fresh fuel running around it, so all appears to be well so far!

timjim · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Karma :

im glad youve sussed out your speedfight..ive just had problems with a speedy 100 for bloke at work..non start,kept blowing main batt fuse..turned out to be two touching wires inside the right hand switch gear.needed cutting back and resolder.The peugeot is fitted with an immobiliser,the red key is needed as a program key for the PATS system of the immobiliser and the black keys are added keys.Just glad you didnt have all these problems with yours though!!Tim Thumbs Up