Trouble Starting Triumph Legend

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mcdojohn
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Trouble Starting Triumph Legend

#1 Unread post by mcdojohn »

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum but it looks great, I look forward to reading around and making some posts.

I just moved my motorcycle cross-country in a u-haul and finally got around to trying to get it started and up and running after the move, and I can't get it going. Let me say first of all that I think the battery is due for a change, but I don't know if that is the whole issue. Hopefully you can tell me!

Here is what happened. First I tried to start the bike in nuetral with the clutch in, kill-switch off, and kick-stand up. It wouldn't do anything for me (weird right there). So I released the clutch and tried starting it. It tried to turn over a few times this way so I put the choke on and tried again. Once again it sluggishly tried to turn over, but wouldn't start. So I hooked up my battery charger to it and waited until the charged said it was fully charged and tried again. I had the same thing happen, but this time after trying to turn over a few times it wouldn't even do that anymore. It just started clicking instead. I don't know a whole lot about bikes, so I apologize if this is a dumb question and if the answer is obvious. The only reason I'm not convinced the battery is the whole problem is that I charged it, I would think it should have started right after being charged right? (In fact the charger was still hooked up to it at the time).

Please advise, your assistance is GREATLY appreciated!

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Gadjet
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#2 Unread post by Gadjet »

If the battery is toast, even throwing it on a charger overnight won't give it enough Amps to give you more than one or two shots of the starter.

First things first: Check the electrolyte level in all the cells of your battery. if they are below the 'low' line, fill them up with distilled water not tap water to the upper line.

throw the battery on a charger overnight, then try to start the bike the next morning. If the you get the same result, your battery is shot and you need a new one.
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xsyamahadg
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#3 Unread post by xsyamahadg »

Make sure your battery cable ends and the battery terminals are clean, hit them with some fine sand paper until they shine.
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BuzZz
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#4 Unread post by BuzZz »

xsyamahadg wrote:Make sure your battery cable ends and the battery terminals are clean, hit them with some fine sand paper until they shine.
+1 and add....

....do the same for all the cable and wire connections in the entire starter circuit.
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honda750
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triumph

#5 Unread post by honda750 »

also check your fuses to make sure the vibration of the move didn't jiggle them loose or make them break looks. The poor contact there would cause the cllicking for sure.
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Last edited by honda750 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

mcdojohn
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Getting closer...

#6 Unread post by mcdojohn »

Thanks for the advice guys, I sanded the terminals, replaced the battery (it had been full, must have just been time), and replaced the fuse that apparently broke during transit. Here is the remaining problem. It won't start! It will give it a good effort to turn over now, but it just won't catch. It is full of gas, the engine kill is off, it won't even try and turn over when I hold the clutch in. I've tried it both kickstand up and kickstand down. Any suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

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