Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

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jmoffitt
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Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by jmoffitt »

There is a long story to why this happened but I'll just tell you what the problem is. I rode the bike in the rain yesterday for about a quarter mile (I only needed to go a half mile to my house) and all of a sudden the bike quit. I thought I ran out of fuel, however, after filling the tank today the bike will only run while the bike is down on the kickstand. If I stand the bike up it shuts off immediately. I believe I got something wet since the previous owner removed the piece of plastic over the rear tire.

A few hours ago I tried to start the bike and it won't run at all. Any help or insight would be great. This really sucks since I'm broke and its my only mode of transportation to work and class.

Thanks
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by shredex »

does it try to kick over?
make sure your in nutrual.
Im in the same boat as you too. except now my gauges dont work either.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by jmoffitt »

Yea, it kicks over and it will run only if the choke is out and I know its in neutral.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by shredex »

jmoffitt wrote:Yea, it kicks over and it will run only if the choke is out and I know its in neutral.
mine will only run with my chock out too now. Ever since I pulled out the carbs to clean them and put them back, my bike just wont run properly.
Im just bringing it to a pro. Im hoping they wont charge alot to fix it.
Riding is therapy to me, and I really need it right now but I cant because my damn bike doesnt work anymore.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by FasterThanUr »

It's probably the kick stan saftey switch,If it has one?Look by your kick stand and if theres a switch that gets pushed in with the kick stand up,disconnect it and bypass it and see if that fixes the problem
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by jmoffitt »

FasterThanUr wrote:It's probably the kick stan saftey switch,If it has one?Look by your kick stand and if theres a switch that gets pushed in with the kick stand up,disconnect it and bypass it and see if that fixes the problem

I thought it was that too, but the bike shuts off when I set it up straight, kick stand up or not....and that still doesn't explain why the bike runs like shit and only runs with the choke out.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by jmoffitt »

shredex wrote:
jmoffitt wrote:Yea, it kicks over and it will run only if the choke is out and I know its in neutral.
mine will only run with my chock out too now. Ever since I pulled out the carbs to clean them and put them back, my bike just wont run properly.
Im just bringing it to a pro. Im hoping they wont charge alot to fix it.
Riding is therapy to me, and I really need it right now but I cant because my damn bike doesnt work anymore.

Let me know what they say. I can't afford to take the bike in to anyone so I need to get this done myself. This really sucks since I just put new grips and a chain/sprockets on a week ago...
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by Dragon »

my2cents

For one guys, if your bike is only running with the choke on means it's running really lean. The choke richens up the fuel mixture. Adjust your fuel air mixture screws out a turn or two and see what happens. Also check your float heights in your carbs. I would do this first! Make sure they are set right and not sticking, since you both just cleaned them. It just seems like the two bikes aren't getting the fuel that it needs.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by shredex »

jmoffitt wrote:
shredex wrote:
jmoffitt wrote:Yea, it kicks over and it will run only if the choke is out and I know its in neutral.
mine will only run with my chock out too now. Ever since I pulled out the carbs to clean them and put them back, my bike just wont run properly.
Im just bringing it to a pro. Im hoping they wont charge alot to fix it.
Riding is therapy to me, and I really need it right now but I cant because my damn bike doesnt work anymore.

Let me know what they say. I can't afford to take the bike in to anyone so I need to get this done myself. This really sucks since I just put new grips and a chain/sprockets on a week ago...
I will. It sucks for me too because now im on vacation for a week and I dont get to ride my bike at all banghead
I hope they can fix it, AND for under $300
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by shredex »

Dragon wrote:my2cents

For one guys, if your bike is only running with the choke on means it's running really lean. The choke richens up the fuel mixture. Adjust your fuel air mixture screws out a turn or two and see what happens. Also check your float heights in your carbs. I would do this first! Make sure they are set right and not sticking, since you both just cleaned them. It just seems like the two bikes aren't getting the fuel that it needs.
my floats are fine. I didnt clean the carbs, I pulled them with the intention of cleaning them but when I took the cover off of them, They were spotless! so I just put them back in. but after I did that, my throttle is sticking now also.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by Dragon »

shredex wrote:
Dragon wrote:my2cents

For one guys, if your bike is only running with the choke on means it's running really lean. The choke richens up the fuel mixture. Adjust your fuel air mixture screws out a turn or two and see what happens. Also check your float heights in your carbs. I would do this first! Make sure they are set right and not sticking, since you both just cleaned them. It just seems like the two bikes aren't getting the fuel that it needs.
my floats are fine. I didnt clean the carbs, I pulled them with the intention of cleaning them but when I took the cover off of them, They were spotless! so I just put them back in. but after I did that, my throttle is sticking now also.

Check your cables and make sure they are not binding.You may need to adjust your throttle. Which covers did you remove from your carbs?
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by shredex »

shredex wrote:
Dragon wrote:my2cents



my floats are fine. I didnt clean the carbs, I pulled them with the intention of cleaning them but when I took the cover off of them, They were spotless! so I just put them back in. but after I did that, my throttle is sticking now also.

Check your cables and make sure they are not binding.You may need to adjust your throttle. Which covers did you remove from your carbs?
I removed 3 & 4 and just looked at it then put them back on
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by jmoffitt »

My bike was running perfectly fine before I rode it a quarter mile in the rain so I don't think any of the proposed solutions will work. I just want to know what the hell did I f*ck up to make it only run when the choke is out and down on its kickstand.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by YAM93 »

These things don't have bank angle sensors like my Honda and the only other thing i can think that would kill it riding straight up is .... isn't there a weighted device in the stock (???) fuel filter that shuts the fuel supply off if the bike is tilted over... maybe that whole piece is out of alignment or damaged ??? Try replacing that first. I mean replace the whole fuel filter.


If that does not work......
sounds like some electrical gremlin perhaps.... maybe water got in the brain and didn't quite fry it, but made it retarded. Sadly the "ignitor unit assembly" as it's called is $422 at Powersportspro.com. So that is probably worse-case scenario, although it could be a great possibility. Maybe you can find one on e-bay somewhere or does anybody know if there is another type he can substitute ? (doubtful)
:headscratch:

Sounds like quite a predicament. If you can't figure it out... Sometimes it's better to take it to a good mechanic, although it can get costly pretty quick.

If you figure it out let us know.

I had to run with the choke out a few years ago... i replaced the Voltage Regulator and that fixed the problem. I supposed it's possible the VR got fried in the rain somehow. If you replace it make sure you check all your other fuses as well... or just replace them to be on the safe side.
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Re: Bike won't start/only runs while tilted

Post by jmoffitt »

YAM93 wrote:These things don't have bank angle sensors like my Honda and the only other thing i can think that would kill it riding straight up is .... isn't there a weighted device in the stock (???) fuel filter that shuts the fuel supply off if the bike is tilted over... maybe that whole piece is out of alignment or damaged ??? Try replacing that first. I mean replace the whole fuel filter.


If that does not work......
sounds like some electrical gremlin perhaps.... maybe water got in the brain and didn't quite fry it, but made it retarded. Sadly the "ignitor unit assembly" as it's called is $422 at Powersportspro.com. So that is probably worse-case scenario, although it could be a great possibility. Maybe you can find one on e-bay somewhere or does anybody know if there is another type he can substitute ? (doubtful)
:headscratch:

Sounds like quite a predicament. If you can't figure it out... Sometimes it's better to take it to a good mechanic, although it can get costly pretty quick.

If you figure it out let us know.

I had to run with the choke out a few years ago... i replaced the Voltage Regulator and that fixed the problem. I supposed it's possible the VR got fried in the rain somehow. If you replace it make sure you check all your other fuses as well... or just replace them to be on the safe side.

I'm pretty sure it's something electrical since the bike shuts off the instant you stand it up. I don't know if this has anything to do with my problem, but right before I rode in the rain, I ran the bike completely out of gas and it was a bitch to get running again after filling her up.
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