Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi everybody,

http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 87#p329387 was the original thread.

My problem is this: from time to time the bike wont start. Press the start button and it goes "click". Doesnt happen all the time - only when you really wish it wouldn't.

Rob suggested the sidestand switch - I've put the bike up on the centre stand and found the switch - gave it a dose of WD40, hit the starter and fired it up first go - excellent!. 3 more time, 3 more starts. 4th hit - click. Damn. (I'm letting the WD40 soak for now and will try again later).

Take it off the center stand, put if 1st, roll forward until the engine engages, put it in neutral, no clutch and hit the starter - starts. This is the only way I've managed to get it started when it's in "click" mode.

To my very limited knowledge it's like the starter is disengaged and the rolling it forward in first gear engages the starter so when I hit the button it starts.

Any other thoughts, suggestions, ideas, recommendations for a good bike mechanic in Penrith?

Cheers,
Wayne

is the battery fully charged? ive found with my bike and my car if the battery is flat or low it can start intermittently and when it doesn't it clicks (tries to tick over)

Hi,

I had a new battery fitted on Wednesday - that was my first thought when the problem started.

Sorry, I should have mentioned this in the OP.

Cheers,
Wayne

If battery is eliminated, there are 3 possibilities:

1. You've got a dodgy starter motor.
2. Starter solenoid's dying.
3. Bad earth to the engine.

Probably number 1. Got a workshop manual?

As it happens I do have a workshop manual for the bike (kindly supplied by the last owner).

I've suspected the starter motor but have no idea what I'm looking for / at or how it works.

Might take it in for repair.

Thanks and have a lovely weekend!

Wayne

waynemorgan wrote:As it happens I do have a workshop manual for the bike (kindly supplied by the last owner).

I've suspected the starter motor but have no idea what I'm looking for / at or how it works.

Might take it in for repair.

Thanks and have a lovely weekend!

Wayne

Hi Wayne

I wonder if the brushes in your starter motor are worn, when you pull the clutch in and put it in gear it moves the starter enough to make contact? I am an industrial electrician and have had very similar problems to this with other DC motors, Just a thought.

Hey,

Have decided to take the bike to a mechanic to get the starter motor looked over. I was hoping for an easy fix but it's looking a little more than I can do.

Thanks for everyones suggestions. Hopfully it wont be long until I am able to join in with a few group rides!

Have a great week ahead (and if anyone knows of a job for a financial planner / certified mortgage consultant / retirement and debt specialist - could you please let me know?)

Cheers,
Wayne

you can do it!
the starter motor is in plain sight, easy to access. it has to be an easy fix, right? pull it out, buy a new one, slam it in yeah? the starter motor is a gray metal cylinder (in the shape sense not the combustion cylinder sense) on the left hand side, just underneath and to the rear of the engine block. its sorta half sticking out, half buried. its not tucked away or anything...

Does the bike lose entire power?

if so you've got earth problems

Thanks Martin,

I was cruising eBay last night and found someone selling GPz500 parts - motor, frames etc and a starter motor ($30) so I'm going to take a crack at it.

Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers,
Wayne