Not a cruiser, but need some advice

Motorcycling
1

Hi there,

Sorry if this is in the wrong section but hope someone can shed a ray of light anyway!

I had a new battery fitted last week in my 2008 Triumph Bonneville, and she was running as smoothly as when she was new. Went to start her this morning and the engine just won’t catch. I’ve got ignition now (instead of the click of death), so it’s not the battery, but nowt else is happening.

I’ve got the RAC coming out tomorrow but last time they came, the bloke openly admitted that he “didn’t know much about bikes” so I’m not holding my breath.

Anyone got any suggestions of what it might be? (In lay terms, if poss - I’m no mechanic!).

Thanks in advance

Helen

2

If the starter motor is whirring around but not engaging with the engine and turning it over, then it’s the starter clutch (assuming your bike has one of those; my old Virago certainly did and I’m sure Yamaha made them out of cheese :w00t: )

3

sounds silly I know ,but is the kill switch in “run” ?

4

you say you have ignition, do you mean it is turning over ok?
you sure not flooded it trying to start it?

5

Wouldn’t turn over if killswitch was engaged…

6

+1

By ignition do you mean you have lights showing ( oil light /neutral light)

or do you mean when you press the starter button it spins the engine over but does not start

this may be something http://www.austech.info/automotive-technology/22868-2009-triumph-bonneville-problem.html but do’t hold me responsible

7

depends, some of them do, thats what catches people out :wink:

8

Really? I. SIMPLY. DON’T. BELIEVE IT!!! :hehe:

9

You say that a new battery was fitted last week,have you ridden the bike since ? and was the battery fully charged ?

Give Tri-Moto a ring .les is a top bloke and may have some answers for you .

10

Mine does. :slight_smile:

11

Then it’s broken :smiley:

12

Wow, thanks for the all the replies, guys. ANd yes, I meant that I had ignition, ie the sound of turning over, but the engine wasn’t catching. Almost, a few times, but not quite.

Battery was fine until the “other 'arf” also tried to start it for me when he got home, and drained it, lol.

RAC man got me started this morning. Took him a while, though. Eventually took me spark plugs out, cleaned 'em, dried 'em off with a blowtorch (!) and put them back in. A few tries later, she started. Sounded like a very old Harley on a particularly phlegm-y day, but running. He ran her for about 15 mins to get some battery charge and I got to work really really early!

Fingers crossed that I get started when I finish work now…

13

sounds like your enthusiastic with the choke or throttle on starting.