Honda XR 125 Starting troubles

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Going to have to make a thread I never wanted too!

Hi, I got my bike a week ago, everything worked as it should- including starting!

I don't know if it's something really obvious - thats what I'm hoping anyway.

Right, got the bike out the shed after not being started in 3 days.

Ignition on, fuel on, stand down, in neutral. I hit the start button and the lights go dim and I just get a very clear "Click".

I was like :/ What the fuck, did all different combinations of stand up / down ect but nothing. Wheeled it up to my patio, ignition off/on and it started first time on the button. Let it warm up, rev'd it about and was all fine.

Turned off, tried to start it - again the click of doom.

At first I thought it could be something to do with the wire in the stand that cuts it out if you are in gear coming loose, or maybe the kill switch, though it started with it in the position it's in.

Then I walked it forward / faffed about with putting it in first / neutral and just like magic it starts on the button and is fine again!

I'm hoping its a loose connection or possibly even battery? Starter motor? I don't know hardly anything mechanically Thumbs Down

Any suggestions / I've been a royal bell-end ? Thanks alot Karma

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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

rob_rob999 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 06 Nov 2011 Karma :

Have a look to see if both terminals on the battery are tight as if one is loose it will make a clicking noise and with you pushing it to the patio it could of made a good enough connection to start it let me know the outcome Rob

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Cheers mate, I'll be getting a list going so that will be the first thing I check in the morning! Thumbs Up

Also forgot to add the Bike is an 04' plate with 11,700 odd miles, 1 previous owner who was a mature bloke with 3 other bikes!

Many thanks
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

Babba · Banned Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Karma :

When you say "lights go dim" a shudder goes down my spine.

Do you mean the little, very low amperage drain, lights in the clocks, like the neutral light?

Or do you mean the headlight no longer sets fire to my garden?

That 'click' tells me that the starter solenoid has engaged, but there just isn't enuff juice available in the battery for the starter to kick the engine into life.

Your batteries flat chap, or your batteries shagged.

On the basis that we should never ignore the simplest & cheapest reasons before chucking lots n lots of money away, I'd first of all charge the battery & if that doesn't give you joy, replace it.

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Right I've just had the seat off and some of the plastics, the battery and connections all look fine and as they should.

Decided to see if it would bump start, which it did - however I think because it was cold maybe it did'nt last long, as soon as I put the clutch in it then cut out.

I'm thinking it could be the starter motor / brushes, so am going to try and take it off and clean it?

Any advice on that would be brilliant ! Cheers
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

bikertomm · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jul 2010 Karma :

Turns out HIT IT WITH A HAMMER solves the problem!

Haha, hit the starter motor gently with a hammer and she fired into life on the button.

Guessing it could do with a clean in there / brushes perhaps getting stuck? Over the moon for now anyway Thumbs Up

Cheers
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!