Bike non-starter. General Rant.

[DT1974]

Okay, so I woke up on Saturday to a nice sunny (if somewhat cold) morning. Having no set plans I decided to go for a ride.

Guess what? Flat Battery Managed to jump start it and got her started. While warming up I noticed she (she being a 1989 Kwak GPz550) wasn't idling very well and giving a bit of throttle the engine didnt speed up at all. Checked the battery and it was dead, not just flat, so bought a new one.

I checked the HT leads and one had corroded internally (so I was guessing that was problem with not running properly). I cut the lead back to a clean bit of wire, put the spark plug connector thingy back on, and now it's too short! Now need to get some HT lead and get it fitted. Not a huge problem and I think even I can manage that.

So all in all a bit of a bummer. Having woken with an urge to go for a spin I end up taking the tank off, trying not to leak fuel everywhere (need to find a bung for the nozzle from somewhere). Then I find that there's a bit on the bottom of the fuel tank which looks like it should have a pipe attached, but doesnt.

Argh! Still I guess it's a good way to get to know the bike! Think I will book it in for a service when MOT due.

I did manage to get out pillion for a short spin, stopping off for a cup of tea and slice of cake at a nice tea shop in Bosham (Emsworth Estuary - West Sussex), but not quite the same!

/end rant
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Tony
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[binge]

Im in a similar boat to you there mate...

I went out to my scooter yesterday and tried to start it, And it was just too cold...

The cold seems to have killed my battery too as I charged it about a week ago and yesterday it was flat as a fart!

My scooter is currently parked in my mates garage 3 miles away because I couldnt start it there yesterday and was forced to walk home at 11pm...

<|Ben|>

[DT1974]

Took a half day at work to sort out bike. Problems tracking down anyone who sold copper HT leads, but found a lawnmower supplier who did.

So bike is now running. I can stop being grumpy!
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Tony
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[meyrick]

I got my bike out for the first time in a few days and thought "Hmmm, that's odd, the choke's on...my bike doesn't like the choke...I better turn that all the way off." I had been working on the bike so I figured I must have nudged it.

I then spent the next half an hour trying to get the damn thing to idle for more than 30 secs before cutting out. I figured it was just too cold. I played with the idle speed and everything. Eventually I realised my stupidity and turned the choke off, which I had turned on, not off. VROOOOOOOOOOMM!!!!!!!!! and the bike shot up to 5000revs. Newbie mistake