Bikes takes a long time to start

[skull-candy18]

Its been getting worse lately, I can be holding the ignition start button for 30 seconds with nothing happening, as soon as it turns over it starts so it doesn't sound like an ignition fault, also worth noting is that it starts quicker when warm. It's still technically reliable just a faff in the morning.

Any ideas on what to solder or replace ?

Thanks

[NWS870R]

When was the last time your valve clearances were checked?

[skull-candy18]

I've not had it long so I haven't done them personally but I haven't done many miles yet, its had an engine refresh so I would presume they have been done recently.

I must admit it feels like an electrical issue though.

[Red Rex]

Do you mean ...
a)you hold the starter button and nothing happens for 30 seconds (not even the starter motor turning) , or ...
b)the starter spins but the motor doesn't turn over , or ...
c) the motor turns over slowly, or normally , but won't fire up ?

I think mechanical poor starting is either valve clearance or emulsion tubes. Electrical could be a bad earth or duff battery ?
Whatever it is , I hope up you get it sorted before summer arrives !!

[NWS870R]

I've not had it long so I haven't done them personally but I haven't done many miles yet, its had an engine refresh so I would presume they have been done recently.

I must admit it feels like an electrical issue though.

If it was an electrical issue it wouldn't improve when the bike is warm - this was why i asked when the valves were last checked

[skull-candy18]

Do you mean ...
a)you hold the starter button and nothing happens for 30 seconds (not even the starter motor turning) , or ...
b)the starter spins but the motor doesn't turn over , or ...
c) the motor turns over slowly, or normally , but won't fire up ?

I think mechanical poor starting is either valve clearance or emulsion tubes. Electrical could be a bad earth or duff battery ?
Whatever it is , I hope up you get it sorted before summer arrives !!

It is a.
Its not the end of the world as it will start eventually but its a bit boring waiting for it
I've charged the battery but will get it checked, I could try a new set of controls and check the wire from the button to the starter.

[sadmansteve]

Had a similar issue with mine a couple of years back. I traced the fault to a corroded terminal that had gone "green" in the connector block that connects to the relay in front of the battery box.

[NWS870R]

That makes better sense now, if the starter button isn't even turning over the starter motor then you have an electrical fault - i thought you meant the bike was just reluctant to start when cold but ok when warmed up.

Good luck - i hate tracing electrical faults

[fung]

mmmmm
perhaps its the electrical contact inside the starter button.
I have a temperamental volume button on the stereo in my old mazda.
it goes up volume easy when cold, but not down volume.
once the car is up and running (warmed up engine on etc) I can up/down the volume.
in summer, no issue .

[rogerc41]

Had a similar issue with mine a couple of years back. I traced the fault to a corroded terminal that had gone "green" in the connector block that connects to the relay in front of the battery box.

Ive just had this exact fault when i rebuilt mine. Press the button and nothing happens. Had to replace a female connector on this relay as said above. There is the safety relay and the flasher relay that are in the elements and not tucked away under the seat.

When you turn the ignition on you can hear the safety relay click. If you then gently click it out of neutral it will click to open, stopping the bike starting. There is a test proceedure for it in the haynes manual too, along with one to test the start relay. You can rule both of them out.

[skull-candy18]

I think I've narrowed it down to the killswitch, if I take the starter button bit to bits and manually press the kill switch contacts together it starts straight away.

So looks like a new set of buttons is needed as even if I bodge it back together it could just come loose again.

[Whato]

Thanks for the advice. Definately sounds like an electrical prob. I bought a new set of brushes for the starter motor-making a clicking sound when I hit the starter button. Installed new battery but no luck. The horn also makes a sound like a duck lol. Think I will visit auto electrician before attempting brushes...

[skull-candy18]

Problem is fixed, killswitch was the culprit, new one was supplied by trixynut free of charge so thanks go to him.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

mmmmm
perhaps its the electrical contact inside the starter button.
I have a temperamental volume button on the stereo in my old mazda.
it goes up volume easy when cold, but not down volume.
once the car is up and running (warmed up engine on etc) I can up/down the volume.
in summer, no issue .

So the lesson here is don't replace your starter button with a Mazda volume pot..

[fung]

Button cob , button