Bike not starting?

[mikesaa309]

I'm expecting comments about the Blandit being a shit bike but anyway it doesn't like starting in the mornings more so when it's been raining.

I've replaced the battery today as I was knocked off it 5 weeks ago and have only got it back yesterday from insurance, I replaced the smashed engine casing and tried starting her up but it just turned over and didn't fire. I managed to bump it and as usual even prior to the crash it's fine starting on the motor for the rest of the day. However it started raining during the day and went to start it but again just turned over and didn't fire up.

My suspicion is that water gets into the spark plug wells and prevent one or more from sparking properly. But wondering if anyone else has had this issue with a 1997 Bandit 600 as I've been looking around online and some people mention it could be coils.

[mudcow007]

plug caps getting wet maybe?

plugs are pretty covered on a bandit, if you pull the plugs out are they sparking blue?

[mikesaa309]

Haven't yet checked them but would presume they're fine. Once I bump it it runs fine for the rest of the day until I leave it sitting over night then the next day just doesn't want to start again. Problem is there's only so many times you can try to start the bike before the battery goes flat and defiantly requires bumping by which time it's fine and will start no problem at all until next day.

It could be starter motor but again it runs fine once bumped up and ran for a while. Would have thought with starter motor it'll not start every time I tried to start it not just first thing. Think it is some water getting into the plug holes but not 100% sure just can't see what else it is.

[BMWilliams]

Sounds to me like the bike has Enough power to turn the startermotor but not enough to give a decent spark too, give the battery a good charge or try starting it while connected to a jump pack or charger.
Even though you say it's a new battery that sounds like the main suspect to me, because of it was water stopping the spark then surely bumping it would still be really hard to start.

Good luck bud
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[bugeye_bob]

have you tried a jumper pack or jump leads ?

[reckless_b]

I had a 400 bandit a few years ago and could flatten a battery no problem trying to start it, stripped and checked everything I could think of, finally I ran a couple of extra earth leads from the battery to the frame and also to the engine result, easy start every time required for a couple of quid
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40 years on the road on and sometimes off bikes with a very recent OFF

[flikers]

If its turning over I would rule out the starter motor.

Could be something like the HT leads, coil, or as previously said dodgy earths.