Warm Weather Wasted

seven158 · 12-31-2004, 07:38 PM

I went out this morning since we had warm weather (50+) here in Michigan, but my 749 wouldn't start. The engine turned over, but wouldnt fire, even with the cold start lever all the way back. The voltage read 11.5, so I figured my battery was low. So I hooked up the Battery Tender Plus I just got for xmas and let it charge until the green light came on (charging complete). Hooked it back up and it still didnt start, and the voltage read 12.5. Should the bike start with the voltage that low, since I think its at 14 when im riding?? Do you guys think my battery is bad or the charger isnt doing its job? Thanks a lot for your help. Tomorrow is supposed to be decent too and I'd like to take advantage of it.

GSXR750DJ · 12-31-2004, 07:42 PM

With it being at 12.5 that should have been ok to start right up. And putting the battery tender on didn't help...doesn't sound to be the battery at all. Did you do anything to it to winterize it or just part it for a while??

seven158 · 12-31-2004, 07:54 PM

I filled the tank up, put fuel stabilizer in, bought front and rear stands to put her up on, and bought a cover.

I hadn't hooked up the Battery Tender until just today because it was a christmas gift. Otherwise I would have done that as well.

Its got around 600 miles on it, so I don't know what else it could be... It turns over, and I can smell gas when its trying to start, so that just leaves spark...

GSXR750DJ · 12-31-2004, 08:04 PM

So you didn't winterize it tat long ago. If your up to it...you can pull the fairings and check the plugs on it to see if it is the spark or not. But if its only got 600 miles on it I am going to guess and say you just got it and its still under warrenty. Call the dealer you got it from and have them check it for you for free.

Try a hard start as well. By rolling it as fast as you can or down a small decline and pop the cluch. I have done it before on a straight away so you don't need that much speed to do it. I sat on my bike and just started walking with it and tried to move as fast as I could and let the cluch out in a fast swift motion. If it starts it may have been the battery or in my case it was the stator.(like a starter for a car)

seven158 · 12-31-2004, 09:08 PM

GSXR750DJ-
Thanks a lot for your help and ideas. Yeah, I haven't had it winterized that long, maybe 2 weeks tops, and I had it started like 3 or 4 days ago. I was just hoping it was something quick before it started snowing again. It is under warranty, so I can take it in. I'll try the rolling start in the morning. Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it. Not too many people check this forum, but I'm glad you did!

seven158 · 01-01-2005, 11:27 AM

The battery charged overnight and still only got up to 12.4V. I tried the rolling start but only got a slight "plttttttt" noise.

guess ill have to trailer it to the dealer for a checkup. i was just hoping to figure it out on my own.... thanks for the help though!

999Duc · 01-01-2005, 12:39 PM

Man , I read this too late , you dont want to push start a 749/999,it's not like a I4 , not to mention the tall gearing.
Im sure it can be done ,but twins are a PITA to try it on , and expensive if you drop your Duc while attempting it.
I guess you found that out though

12.4 is normal for the Tender to max out at and thats plenty for it to turn over and start , then it goes to 14.3 while riding.
Mine does the same thing.
Leave that tender connected to your bike at all times , like a lifeline.

I dont ever use the cold start lever , no matter what the temp.
Try lettting the bike sit for a while , and then start it without using the cold start lever.
Sounds like you might have flooded it with the cold start lever.

Other than that, maybe the fuel stabilizer is too concentrated since thats the only thing you have done to the bike since it ran last.
Keep us posted.

seven158 · 01-01-2005, 02:38 PM

Thanks 999Duc. I only tried the rolling start 3 times in my driveway, so I was careful not to drop it. Thanks for answering my main question about 12.4V being enough to start the bike.

I was surprised when I read your thoughts on the cold start lever. I won't use it ever again...

Thanks again, I'll keep you updated...

seven158 · 01-03-2005, 09:33 PM

999-
you were right man. i had flooded it. i got motivated today and pulled the spark plugs and they were fouled pretty bad. cleaned em up, tried again and she wanted to start but didnt. tried a couple more times and then i pulled the plugs again and cleaned them again. then she fired up. i let her run to about 160 degrees. about a minute after she started though, i saw a drop on the ground, it was gas, looked like it was coming from the exhaust. after it got to 160 or so, there was no dripping and the exhuast didnt smell like gas as much. ill try again, but i think my first repair job was a success! thanks for the help everyone.

999Duc · 01-04-2005, 08:25 AM

Cool , glad I could help and glad that you got it running

AV8OR · 01-05-2005, 03:21 PM

my mille wouldnt start last week...put the battry on the tender for a day or so and she started right up.....well after some carresing..

XNachoX · 01-29-2005, 05:13 PM

Ya, the cold lever I would only pull 1/4 inch tops, during the winter months i set it to idle at 2,000 RPM with the lever and then blip the throttle intermitently to 4,000 or so RPM. Once to 113 (when the temp stops flashing) turn it off and just let it idle normally. If you're in a hurry you can still blip it to warm it up. This is the way the tech showed me when I got it.