Inermittent starting issues

[vladmech]

Hey guys, another quick question for the more gear oriented people then me.

Bike - 2004 Kawasaki Ninja 250

Issue - Went on a day trip, about 180 miles total, with a couple stops along the way. A couple times my bike had issues starting, and I'd have to bump start it. Beginning of the day it was fine, most times it was fine, it just seemed like when the bike had only been turned off for a couple minutes it would then be grouchy about starting, but if it had been off for a while it would turn over just fine.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this?

[Wrider]

It was warm when it'd do it? I'd say get your valves checked and adjusted.
Was it turning over fine? Or was it having a hard time turning over?

[vladmech]

When it would start up, it turned over just fine. When I had it turned off for a couple minutes, it would just make a 'rrrr rrrr rrrr' sound and wouldn't sound like it was coming even close to turning over.

[BuzZz]

Very often, this symptom is caused by a loose/bad connection in the electrical circuit of the starting system. Check the battery connections and the connection to the starter and the relay for tighteness and corrosion. It could be as simple as that.

[Wrider]

Also if it's that I'm betting your battery is getting a bit weak. Hot bikes are harder to start than cold bikes. Do you have a voltmeter? If so put it on the battery while trying to start it. If the reading goes below 10.5 volts then your battery is getting too weak and should be replaced.

[vladmech]

So would something like this work?
http://checkerauto.com/ProductDetail.as ... Code=3389B

(Sorry for all the questions, still kinda new at the whole work on it yourself thing)

[Johnj]

Why do I need to provide my zip code to see some part?

[vladmech]

Why do I need to provide my zip code to see some part?

Because Kragen is apparently lame
They didn't have any in stock anyway, would have had to order it in. Picked one up from Radio Shack instead but it's not working. Just not a good day for me

[Wrider]

Yeah that would work, but hmmm on the not working... That sucks! Make sure it's on the DCV setting. The one with the solid line on top and a dotted line on bottom next to a V.

[vladmech]

Ah-HA! First one was just a borked copy, exchanged it and got a solid read. 12.5v sitting, and then drops down to about 8.5v when it's trying to start. I'm reckoning that's the problem. Thank you very much all!