Won't Start

[Joeba]

hey guys,I have a big problem took out my spark plugs and cleaned them up,and i have messed with my idle screw and now my bike will not start.I hear it crank and smell fuel bad,but it will not start
:madani:

[Wild Coyote]

Plugs okay? Are they sparking?

[cowboy]

Put the wires back on the plugs:grin:
Check for spark if ya got spark it might be flooded.leave the plugs out for 20 min. then try it again.

[Free Spirit]

1) Make sure key is turned on
2) Make sure the Run/Kill switch is in the RUN position
3) Remove the wire from plug on the forward head
4) Pull back the rubber insulating cap
5) Place metalic clip in mouth (make sure it is in firm contact with our tongue)
6) Press the ignition button:rolleyes3

If you are still concious, this plug wire needs replaced:jamming:

If not.... when you awaken repeat steps 1-6 using the wire from the rear head.:freak:

[Joeba]

plugs are sperking,tried the 20 min wait.Still won't start.i smell gas so i know its getting gas plugs are ok checked fuse still nothing

[Joeba]

hey cowboy how far are you from Tacoma

[AirportFF]

I think the first question that needs to be answered is why did you mess with the mixture screws?

[RustyJake]

And once that's established (whether the mixture screws are messed up), try NEW plugs. Don't keep trying the old ones. Get 4 new plugs and start with them.

[AirportFF]

Get 4 new plugs and start with them.

These things have 4 plugs????:freak:

[AirportFF]

Does that mean my bike has 8??

[RustyJake]

Does that mean my bike has 8??
It'would have only 5, one's a butt plug though. I'm sure that one would get fouled in a big hurry.

[Machinehead]

Hey Joeba,

Don't be aggresive with the throttle. If you are certain the plugs are fine, turn the choke on and attempt to start it without any throttle. If it doesn't start try boosting the battery. If all attempts fail at this point please update this thread.

GL

[cowboy]

hey cowboy how far are you from Tacoma
Im about 45 min north of tacoma.You stationed there?

[Joeba]

Yes I am moving up there in may.On the bike subject I bought new plugs and it started fine.Thank you every one for the help:grin: :jamming:

[RustyJake]

wohoo, I got one right!:thumbsup:

[AirportFF]

wohoo, I got one right!:thumbsup:


OOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo Glen, you're my hero:silly:

[RustyJake]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo Glen, you're my hero:silly:
Sorry, I'd only wear the cape for Susan.

[Mr.Sinister]

I got my bike started today. But I could not get it started again.It died when I was adjusting the idle screw. I am getting a tickticktick sound and some times the sound of the pistons moving. I may have a short in the starter button. Any help would be great. I noticed that variable pressure on the starter button got different results. Like I said any help.

[RAZOR]

I got my bike started today. But I could not get it started again.It died when I was adjusting the idle screw. I am getting a tickticktick sound and some times the sound of the pistons moving. I may have a short in the starter button. Any help would be great. I noticed that variable pressure on the starter button got different results. Like I said any help.
MY BIKE DOES THAT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE,LIKE YOU SAID VARIABLE PRESSURE
GOT DIFFERENT RESULTS.I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD BE THE SWITCH OR CONTACTS.
TRY TAKING IT APART AND CLEANING THE CONTACTS.

[Wild Coyote]

Why do you guys keep messing with the screws? There is tuning, fine tuning, and JUST LEAVE IT THE FUCK ALONE! If it ain't broke, why mess with it.

[amazngrace]

Sinister,

Try here for starter button fix, picture links on the highlighted words (I need the pics myself). This is for the Valkyrie, but yours should be just about the same !!!

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/VSGPages/starterbutton.htm

...ED

[RAZOR]

Sinister,

Try here for starter button fix, picture links on the highlighted words (I need the pics myself). This is for the Valkyrie, but yours should be just about the same !!!

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/VSGPages/starterbutton.htm

...ED
:jamming: :jamming: -- THERES YOUR PROBLEM RIGHT THERE SIN-AND MINE TOO --

[Machinehead]

Obviously a faulty starter sw. will disrupt riding potential :) , but this may not be Joeba's issue. I do not know 'bout the Valk, but the Shadow's usually have two contact areas on the switch. One to engage the starter and one to disengage the headlamp. If the headlamp is on (or intermittently on) whilst the button is depressed then it's more than likely it's failing.

That link to the "FIX" may have worked out in their favor, but I'm here to tell you these switches were not constructed for any other than recreation use BEFORE they began using "Made in China" components. The contact pads within the switch are copper coated brass. Once the copper has worn it is next to impossible to sand or buff the contact area and expect a long term fix. Once the brass metal is exposed the contacts will become pitted/corroded at a faster rate. If they're simply "dirty" then contact cleaner should work, but I doubt this is this case.

You can improvise and use a heavy-duty momentary type switch (non-Honda) from a company such as Allied Electronics if you can fashion a bracket to mount it.

This usually is a better approach being that you have to practically have to purchase half the wiring harness to get a replacement..

BTW....if you're not positive that the switch is failing you can bypass the starter switch by using an old screwdriver to bridge the two (2) large posts at the relay...if the issue doesn't resolve itself using this method there may be other issues at hand.

[Mr.Sinister]

Thank you.

[Wild Coyote]

Sorry I was of no help, but if I was there, I would have offered you a beer or two while we swore at the bike!!!

[Mr.Sinister]

I will take one! Those screws are not coming out!

[ames77us]

Hey bro this dont have shit to do with your bike starting but I was wondering if you are ever gonna get a photo gallery started man?:flipa:

[Mr.Sinister]

Me? I got some pics. And I got my bike started. The mix is a little/a lot rich . But she will start. I got a little more wrench work on her today and a short ride in the sun. I will fix the fuel air mix today. Next month turn signals and sparto.

[ames77us]

Sorry about that Mr. Sinister I actually meant to post that for joeba, I guess I should have used his name or a quote. So how bout it Joeba you gonna post any pics bro?:jamming:

[pegscraper]

I had this same problem and discovered this as the fix. Didn't see the post until now tho. Very easy fix for the switch!

Pegs

[Mr.Sinister]

I got the bike running again but it has got some really loud back fires when I get on it. I also think my rear carb is sucking air. It is hard to hear over my pipes. Thats what I get for working on more than one problem at once. I think I will adjust the sleeve where the carb hooks up to the rear jug. I may also replace all the spark plugs. I will also run some fuel treatment thru the carbs in case they dirty and that is part of the problem. I will let you guys know if I get it fixed.

[Machinehead]

I'll expound on Wild Coyote's post.

If the machine was running fine before 'hibernation' and boosting the battery does not help then, most likely, there's a a fuel issue. Whether are not this is related to the fuel that is in the tank OR gummed carbs is an issue you'll have to trace yourself.
It's always best to drain and replace the fuel in any scenario. Adjusting (ANY) screw/s will only ADD to your grief (and expand the possibilities) as it was running fine before you put a tool to it.

Troubleshooting (in my handbook) would require (at least) one variable removed from the equation on each attempt.

K?

[Mr.Sinister]

I was running fine, except for a wierd sputter that developed at the 3/4 throttle range. I took it apart to see the plugs and decided to add a little more fuel. When digging out the silicone I put in the screw holes I turned the screws out more than I thought. I also found some leaks in my air box on the rubber welds and that the rear carb my not be seated properly. I fixed the welds and got the air fuel mix back to a tolerable range[ not perfect]. This is when I got the short in my starter button. I fixed that as well. She now runs and starts and idles. Now is just the fine tunning of the fuel air mix. I should be golden. I just put in all my problems and oversites to help others trouble shoot. It was not the most scientific way of doing things. But I am way more familiar with my bike and its electrical system now. A few test runs and I should be done today.