I have a dirt bike and it will not start! PLEASE HELP!

Message
Author
IHMJack
Regular
Regular
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:48 am

I have a dirt bike and it will not start! PLEASE HELP!

#1 Unread post by IHMJack »

I have a dirt bike and it will not start! PLEASE HELP!

the electronic starter seem to be cranking correctly, but the engine just will not start! It did started a few days ago, but idled for several minutes and it stalled, but now it wouldnt even start anymore!

PLEASE HELP!

User avatar
TechTMW
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2045
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:43 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 10
My Motorcycle: 2005 BMW R1200GS
Location: Alexandria VA

#2 Unread post by TechTMW »

Hi Jack - We need more information, like what kind of bike it is and how old it is. If you have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever, it might be wise to take it to a shop to have it looked at.

The basics are this - Your bike needs 4 things to start - Air, Fuel, Spark and Compression. First check for spark, then fuel and go from there.
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)

IHMJack
Regular
Regular
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:48 am

#3 Unread post by IHMJack »

TechBMW wrote:Hi Jack - We need more information, like what kind of bike it is and how old it is. If you have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever, it might be wise to take it to a shop to have it looked at.

The basics are this - Your bike needs 4 things to start - Air, Fuel, Spark and Compression. First check for spark, then fuel and go from there.
Its a 2005 "chinese brand" 200cc dirt bike. less than 100 miles but already having problems :(

User avatar
TechTMW
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2045
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:43 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 10
My Motorcycle: 2005 BMW R1200GS
Location: Alexandria VA

#4 Unread post by TechTMW »

It's probably something really simple ... maybe your petcock is switched off or you have a kinked fuel line?
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)

IHMJack
Regular
Regular
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:48 am

#5 Unread post by IHMJack »

TechBMW wrote:It's probably something really simple ... maybe your petcock is switched off or you have a kinked fuel line?
How do you switch the petcock? how do you troubleshoot "kinked fuel line"?

User avatar
TechTMW
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2045
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:43 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 10
My Motorcycle: 2005 BMW R1200GS
Location: Alexandria VA

#6 Unread post by TechTMW »

Did you get an owner's manual with your new bike?

It -should- have a description of the petcock (or fuel valve.) Hopefully it's not in Chinese :wink:

Once you read about the petcock, and you are sure it's on, you can follow the fuel line from it to the carburettor, and make sure it's not pinched or kinked.
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)

User avatar
Gadjet
Site Supporter - Gold
Site Supporter - Gold
Posts: 1195
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 4:01 pm
Real Name: Owen Clark
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 19
My Motorcycle: 2020 KTM 200 Duke
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Contact:

#7 Unread post by Gadjet »

Is there gas in the fuel tank?

a stall during idle and a failure to start after that could be the result of no fuel in the gas tank.
1983 Suzuki GS650GL (sold)
2005 Kawasaki KLR 650 (sold)
2020 KTM 200 Duke
IBA#20953
IG: @greenmanwc

IHMJack
Regular
Regular
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:48 am

#8 Unread post by IHMJack »

petcock? that is the thing that you turn this knob to set on ON/Reserve/OFF? Its turned on "ON"

I wonder if there is some type of vacume problem?

and yes, there is gas in the gas tank.

User avatar
Gadjet
Site Supporter - Gold
Site Supporter - Gold
Posts: 1195
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 4:01 pm
Real Name: Owen Clark
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 19
My Motorcycle: 2020 KTM 200 Duke
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Contact:

#9 Unread post by Gadjet »

IHMJack wrote:petcock? that is the thing that you turn this knob to set on ON/Reserve/OFF? Its turned on "ON"

I wonder if there is some type of vacume problem?

and yes, there is gas in the gas tank.
Switch to Reserve and see if that helps. The most likely culprit then is that the fuel level in the tank is to low for the 'On' setting pickup tube. The 'reserve' tube is shorter and allows you to use the fuel that's in the bottom of the tank.
1983 Suzuki GS650GL (sold)
2005 Kawasaki KLR 650 (sold)
2020 KTM 200 Duke
IBA#20953
IG: @greenmanwc

User avatar
Ninja Geoff
Site Supporter - Gold
Site Supporter - Gold
Posts: 2980
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:55 pm
Real Name: Geoff
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 7
My Motorcycle: 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R
Location: Leyden, MA

#10 Unread post by Ninja Geoff »

If it's got a kick starter too, try that.
[img]http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/3563/41350009.jpg[/img]

Post Reply