Starting issue

[Blender81]

<Hi all, after a cracking cobweb ride my bike wasn't ridden for a couple of weeks but started fine for a commute. The following day it's turning over but not firing. The fuel pump primes, the battery was fully charged, has 12.5 v and has good connections Inc the earth on the engine. I'm checking plugs and caps and will check the battery v as it's cranking this evening.

Anything else I'm missing?

I am no mechanic so if I missed anything obvious feel free to take the piss

[MellowYellow]

My dear ol' dad used to say 3 Ps 95% of the time

Plugs, points, petrol.

[ptolemyx]

Might help if we knew what bike you're having problems with?

[Smiler]

I would assume the RSV on the bottom sig of his post?

[Ruffian]

It's Italian. Just put some pasta in it and will sort itself out.


Nah on a serious note, when cranking does it smell of fuel??

Ie no spark pumping fuel through or no fuel but still sparking?
Did you fill up with fuel before putting it away??
Have you checked fuel??

Do know a couple of people filling up with diesel then letting the bike sit so the fuel separated and then wouldn't start.

[billinom8s]

Side stand switch or clutch bypass switch.

If it's got very wet in the rain or being washed then the Italian in it can shine through.

Like they say, where are you based?

[Blender81]

Lol yes it's the RSV. It does smell of fuel so I think it's electrical ie no or poor spark or starters not getting enough power, new fuel on the commute so stale fuel is unlikely I think.. I haven't tried the pasta yet, fussy thing insisted on a carbonara and I'm out of eggs!

[Smiler]

She’s just having a flounce in her Italian high heels!

[menzies3032]

She’s just having a flounce in her Italian high heels!

[Ruffian]

Just a blonde one but,

You have checked the kill switch position??

[menzies3032]

Would offer side stand electric switch but then I am not a great mechanic or electrician like Ruffian and Billonom8s

[ptolemyx]

Will your RSV (thanks Smiler) crank on the starter if the ignition fuse is blown?

[Blender81]

Thanks for the help and ideas... So after prodding this and testing that, and a chat with Simon during the week (thanks again bud) it seems it was just water in the electrics and needed to dry out, she fired up today on the button

Couple of questions.. acf50, I've read it's good for keeping moisture/water out of the electrics. Is it worth the money? It seems quite expensive


Secondly, when running I'm getting 13.6v across the battery, is that OK?

[billinom8s]

Welcome sir, glad it's sorted.

You'll need to test the battery at charging rpm. Tick over should be about 14v.

ACF is good but I doubt much use against a pressure washer.

[Jug]

I think ACF50 might help but not from simply spraying it all over, you'd have to go through each & every connection.

I once went through one bike and packed every single connector with silicone grease, it was an older bike with 6 volt electrics so needed all the help it could get.
Just the action of unplugging and reconnecting cleans and remakes the connection, so that can remove any issues. The grease then keeps the moisture out for a very long time and stops the connector from oxidising.

If it's switch gear (and it isn't already fully sealed) then I'd get something like Electrolube contact cleaner, just spray it in to clean and lube.
https://www.electrolube.com/products/co ... ubricants/

If a clump of wires (with connectors) are directly in the path of some water spray (either from riding or cleaning) then you could consider bagging them to give them some spray protection.