Help, poorly r1200s won't start!

[Corvus]

The Battery on this bike is pretty wimpy and it has to turn against the compression and friction of a big twin, so I am not surprised its only turning over a few times before weakening.

Fuel can go off pretty quickly and I have heard of it causing issues. I have also heard about water collecting around the coils causing issues after cleaning. I would pull the coil sticks and make sure everything is dry. Pull the main spark plugs while you are there and check for fouling.

Squealing I am presuming is the alt belt? Damp again? Mine has never made a noise after a wash. Take off the cover and check belt condition and tension. It seems unlikely but perhaps problems with the alternator or drive are causing excessive friction which the battery is having to fight against. I have never heard of a seized alternator on this model, but its not uncommon in the car world. It should spin freely with this belt removed.

+1

Although I hate to use the word "compression" and I thought twins had less friction than (say) fours? That's fodder for an interesting (separate) thread if you ask me (which nobody will, but I'm not bitter).

[dysondiver]

dont mix up friction , and stiction ,,, now theres a topic , but for another thread ,,

[boxerscott]

id not be bothering with easy start either ,,, its not very good for anything other than taking sticky labels off new parts ,,
keep us informed on how things go

+1.

Petrol mixed with air is very combustible.

...... If you can get a spark to it.

Ah ha at least one of those three elements is missing.

[dysondiver]

its that whizzing over thing ,,,, the rests just details ,, once you can get anything to turn over well , your in with a fair chance of sorting out the rest.

[Copper]

Hi,

Thanks,

Think I'll take the plugs put just to check them at the weekend, I'll also open up the airbox and check its all dry.

Will let you know how I get on

Jon

[dysondiver]

yep keep us up to speed , if its turned over at all airbox will be fine , cant remember if they have a drain in the bottom , ill look tomorrow , mines in bits at the moment
with plugs out you can check the engines free by putting it in gear and wheeling it about , or if you have a rear stand , stick it on that and turn back wheel , dont be stuck

[Copper]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay I have only just had the time to have a look at the bike other than turning it over every so often with no luck.

I've tested each plug they all spark. In fact on both heads with one plug out there is a flash of flame out of the plug hole as the engine turns over.

Tried easy start, nothing. Filter and airbox are dry.

I have applied a liberal spray of WD40 and let it soak in, nothing.

I've removed all the connector plugs I can find they are all dry inside.

The only slightly odd part is when I spray wd40 on the alternator the engine turns more easily could this be partly seized?

Any ideas?

Confused,

Jon

[dysondiver]

take the belt off ,, try starting then , but the fact that theres spark and flames is good ,

[Copper]

Hi,

Thanks, I have now managed to get the bike running momentarily if I open the throttle fully when starting unfortunately the battery doesn't last that long so I can only have a few attempts before I need to leave it to recharge, think I'm getting some where though.

Jon

[Copper]

Hi

I'm starting to wonder it the alternator is seized (explains the squeaking sound) and by applying wd40 it allows the belt to slip round the alternator drive pulley allowing the starter to spin the engine fast enough to start but it soon evaporates, the belt grips, and the engine stops again.

Is this plausible, how does the drive belt come off and how much is a new alternator or where can I get mine rebuilt?

Any help most appreciated.

Regards,

Jon

[Copper]

The Battery on this bike is pretty wimpy and it has to turn against the compression and friction of a big twin, so I am not surprised its only turning over a few times before weakening.

Fuel can go off pretty quickly and I have heard of it causing issues. I have also heard about water collecting around the coils causing issues after cleaning. I would pull the coil sticks and make sure everything is dry. Pull the main spark plugs while you are there and check for fouling.

Squealing I am presuming is the alt belt? Damp again? Mine has never made a noise after a wash. Take off the cover and check belt condition and tension. It seems unlikely but perhaps problems with the alternator or drive are causing excessive friction which the battery is having to fight against. I have never heard of a seized alternator on this model, but its not uncommon in the car world. It should spin freely with this belt removed.

Ahh just reread the thread think you might have been on to something Herb, think I've got there in the end!

Thanks,

Jon

[roadburner]

if you can get the bike running with a WOT then obviously you're getting spark and fuel, but if it's not running otherwise i'd guess at blocked injectors. bearing in mind i'm more used to carbs, it sounds like the mains are fine but possibly blocked idle?

[dysondiver]

if its running at all , 1200cc 120 horse is plenty to spin a belt round a pulley , strange that it runs then stops , but the fact it starts at all rules out all sorts , fresh fuel good battery , or a truck battery and jump leads , take alt belt off , its behind the big front engine cover , ten mins does it ,,, see how it goes from there
was it starting on both cylinders??