FZRSupport: the FZROnline Archive

It makes a loud click when I hit the start switch like it wants to start but doesn't turn over. The battery is only two months old. When I check the voltage across the posts and no key is in the ignition, I see 12.5 volts. When the ignition and run switches are on, there are 11.8 volts. And when I hit the start button there are only 6 volts, which can't be enough to turn the motor over.

The battery is on the charger now and I will see if that helps in the morning. If the battery is just low, that means there is a problem in the charging system or I have a power drain somewhere.

The battery charge made a big difference. The motor turned right over, but immediately stopped and there was a loud knock like something internal hit a stop. I moved the bike back and forth a few times in neutral and it started.

I can't trust riding it to work until I can figure out why the baterry was low and what caused the violent knock.

Pull the plugs, put it in gear, and push it along. If fuel comes barfing out, it was hydrolocked and you have a badly leaking float - turn your petcock off!. If it clonks to a halt, you have internal damage, likely a spat valve keeper. If it keeps going, the damage is in your starter gear train.

Thanks Don. I just saw your reply. I know it needs carb work and I never turn off my petcock. But I will start. The bike wont start at alll now. I checked the starter by jumping from the battery directly to the starter. There were sparks and the starter motor sounded like it wanted to turn but it didnt. So the starter is probably bad or there is something wrong internally. I will start with replacing the starter.

Before you swap out the starter, pull the starter cover and inspect the gears. If the starter sounds like it wants to spin but can't, it's probably the gear train.

Ok. I'll let you know what I find.

I didnt see anything obviously wrong. No broken or ground gear teeth, wear, or metal shavings. Everything was clean and lightly oiled. One thing Im not sure about is the starter gear. It was fully engaged with another gear. Shouldnt it retract when the bike isnt starting?

No, it's permanently engaged with the cover gears. The one-way clutch on the crank prevents annoying things from happening - when it works.

With the cover off, hit the starter button - it should spin freely. If it does, then the probably in the one-way clutch.

Remind me - have you pulled the plugs and pushed it in gear?

All the gears should spin freely? If the gears dont turn when I hit the starter, whats the likely issue?

No, I havent removed the plugs and pushed. Should I do that first?

With the starter cover off, the gears should spin freely together. If not, look for junk in the gear teeth - usually pieces of other gear teeth.

With the starter cover off, the starter should spin freely when the button is pushed.

Yes, you should try pushing it.

After removing the peanut cover, the gears still didnt turn freely. It took several tries with the starter button before it finally starting spinning. I replaced the cover and the motor still turns over so it will probably start. Are the gears adjustable?