Little help please

[Going2fast]

Hey there,
I'm having a little problem with my bike starting, its an 95' RVF400.
The bike has only just been delievered, only been a few days now so everything should be working correctly i say.

I started her up two days ago and after yes a little work she started up, it was freezing cold mind you. Got her running for a good 20minutes, but only stand still (no lience yet )

Came to it today, would it start? would it &*^%. I mean its a beautiful thing and she just wont start I was trying for ages so now i think i may have flattened the battery

Any advice? I mean i know its cold out there now but still i've known older bikes to start up first time in colder temperatures.

Cheers
A Sad Andy
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Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy

[Jammy-G]

My NSR wouldn't start, flattened the battery trying to start it with the electric. Charged the battery overnight and now is fine. Tried bump starting it down the road, with the choke on?

You probably flooded it trying, bump start it with choke on and the fuel tap shut closed, it should still start, when it does, open up the fuel again.
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RooRoo: just like the time i stuck my finger up my arse with no lube at all and she didnt talk to me for hours

[Frost]

Press the started button, what happens?
Does it turn the engine over?

If so try and bump start it. (Push it forwards to get some speed up, let the clutch out when its in gear and press the starter)
If that doesnt work check your spark plugs arnt clogged/fouled and that they are actualy sparking strong ans consistent (ground the metal of the plug out on something then press the starter and it should spark).

If the engine doesnt turn over then your battery is flat. this might be due to lack of use, you thrashing the starter motor, or an alarm draining the battery.

Good luck

[Hex]

[sickpup]

Is it restricted?

[tatters]

the easyest way for you to bump start it, is to put the bike in second gear sit on the bike hold the clutch in and get your dad to push the bike up to speed then let the clutch out and pull it back in when you feel the engine fire up.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

I used to use second for jump-starting. It was ok, but now use 1st and dump the clutch. This works more often on mine, and you don't have to go as fast.

Chris89 gave me that tip.

So rolling down the road, (with ignition on), select first, then dump the clutch. Then you can either pull the clutch back in and rev it (to keep it alive). Or just ride away normally.

Mine is a bitch to start somedays. Battery is nearly always "low" as I have no charger. Battery may be on the way out on mine. I can't test it till I'm back at my house.

You'll always hear me coming back, because I'll have it at 5k - 6k rpm with no electrics on, just to give it that bit more charge, for the next time I start it.

Damn bike.

[Going2fast]

Cheers all for the replies, Need to check the main fuse now as i'm backfiring which is not good. If not, the wonders of having a warrently will play its part hehe.

Cheers for replies again
Andy
____________________
Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy

[Guest]

No need to check the fuse if it's back-firing, that's probably due to the pipes being loaded with un-burnt fuel.

I'd suggest taking the plugs out and cleaning then as they'll more than likely be soaked but it's under warranty and I bet it's a sod to get at them on that bike.

Leave it to stand for a day while you charge the battery up, thenuse plenty of choke and no throttle till you hear the engine start to catch.

Don't bother running it on the stand every few days, you can do more harm than good. Leave it well covered up until the time you can use it properly - if that's going to be ages take the battery off and store it indoors and charge it just before you're going to use the bike.

Do you know the correct way to take the battery off?

[Going2fast]

Yeah i should be fine, i was thinking of just storing it till i can use it all the time.

Andy
____________________
Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Next time you get it running warm it up for a minute of two then give it a nice handful of revs. Get some of that excess fuel burnt off.

Mine did back fire a lot. I traced it down simply to starting technique. Basically, now I let it turn over on or two times (only takes part of a second) before I add the throttle, (mine needs part throttle to get it started).

Initially I was adding the throttle a fraction too early, maybe even before the engine turned over, and that meant I was getting too much fuel in on the first turn/ few turn overs, then bang happens.

Too much choke and the same backfiring happens on mine. You will get used to the "starting technique".

You only need the slightest bit of throttle (if any, on some bikes, so the manual says) on the Hondas to get them started. As you know the throttle is quite sensitive, so you have to find the balance.

Of course your bike could be different...

When did it have the valve clearances checked/adjusted last? How many miles does it have?

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Yes the plugs are utter bitches to get at, so I'm told.

They are hard enough to get to on mine (and mine is an inline 4). Had to make up a tool to do them...

[Going2fast]

Only about a 2weeks ago i believe, I've been told the RVF stock battery is not very good, might get a heavy duty one or something. By the way checked the spark plugs and there alright. Going to give the battery a charge and see if she starts up, if not hello mr warrenty lol
____________________
Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy

[tatters]

have heared that backfiring is common now and again on honda V4,s my VFR did it every other week.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Going2fast]

Officially dead lol, going to the doctors soon
Then my beauty will be alive again YAY

Andy
____________________
Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy

[Frost]

The problem with bikes like the RVF is that they are highly prized and collectable. Most owners keep them stood for long periods of time only using them on special occasions. Others which are imported into the country come with problems, or have problems created by conversion to UK spec.

I suspect your bike has been stood for a fair while, and might have had unnoticed problems before that.
But being the wise man you are, you got yours from a dealer, so its all their problem!

Hope they sort it all out for you so its ready and waiting for when you pass your test!

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Yeah and don't let them convince you to buy anymore stuff for it.


Any problems now, they sort out!

[Going2fast]

Yeah cheers, get this...
Rang them and they say sure bring it back to us and we'll fix it. Great, so i say when you going to collect it then? reply where you live, tell them oh its going to cost you Erm no its not going to cost me you sold me a bike which don't start, come pick it up and fix it or we go to trading standards .

Anyways i hope she gets fixed soon.
Cheers for all advice and help given,
Andy
____________________
Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy

[Going2fast]

UPDATE:
Was a problem to do with carb's or something, engine flooded. Not caused by me which is great All fixed now,

Should have her back for hopefully when i pass my test, if not early new year

Thanks for all advice and help given,
Andy
____________________
Passed My Test 15/03/05
BikePics Profile ||| 96' RVF 400 ||| 01' CBR 600 F Sport ||| 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6 Delivered 23/06/09
/-\ndy