help with my 650 vstar

[mammy]

ok... here's the scoop... i purchased the bike from a dude in chicago... he took the tarp off it, it was cold, had it on a trickle charger. in otherwords, hadn't prestarted it. it started right up. no problems, the friend i had with me, a long time harley man, took it for a drive, said mechanically it was ok, ran well, no issues.

we brought it home from chicago in shitty weather, snow, rain, sleet, salt. when i got her home i rinsed her off.

when i went to start it here at home, i hit the start a few times, battery was goin dead. no start. starter seems to work fine, but it wouldn't kick over. got a new battery, engine light went off... whether this just reset the codes or what i don't know. still won't start. tried throttle on, throttle off, choke on choke off. nothin worked. was in neutral, with kick stand down... or me on it, in neutral clutch in and clutch out. nothin.. now im a newbie. im sure that's obvious. but looking for suggestions, or people with the same bike that have had issues, and a hint as to what it may be.

god i hope i didn't get a lemon, or a bike with major but subtle issues, and maybe im worryin over nothin... but i just want to hear it run in MY garage. ugh... this sucks.

[canuckerjay]

I'm no expert, but I've heard trickle chargers used numerous times can kill a motorcycle battery actually frying the cells.

Have you tried another battery?

[skoebl]

when i went to start it here at home, i hit the start a few times, battery was goin dead. no start. starter seems to work fine, but it wouldn't kick over. got a new battery, engine light went off... whether this just reset the codes or what i don't know. still won't start. tried throttle on, throttle off, choke on choke off. nothin worked. was in neutral, with kick stand down... or me on it, in neutral clutch in and clutch out. nothin.. now im a newbie. im sure that's obvious. but looking for suggestions, or people with the same bike that have had issues, and a hint as to what it may be.

Maybe in the ride home it got some gunk in the carbs, or quite possibly it has some bad gas in it. You could drain the tank and clean the carbs. That may help.

Also, since you didn't mention that you did it....Did you try starting it with you on it, with the kickstand up, in neutral, clutch in?

[mammy]

it's a brand new battery..... the dude i bought it from sent it to me..

i tried everything... on it in neutral kickstand up... clutch engaged, not engaged, off it in neutral, kickstand down... clutch engaged, not engaged...

nothin like havin to wrench the bike before u ride it.. im hopin it's not the carbs...

spark plugs?? have heard a couple different things... change em, and they never go bad.. im just thinkin what could have shook loose on the 4 hr drive back with it on the trailer... i don't see any loose wires.. i was wonderin about the fuses... could the jarring have broke one?? um.. it has a kuryakyn hypercharger on it... which was right in the wind.. behind the truck of course... ugh.. gods... this is frustrating.

[skoebl]

Well...it would be really nice if it were a fuse...They are pretty easy to check (as long as you know where they are lol)

What year is it btw?

[mammy]

yes, i know where the fuse box and fuses are......sheesh, men. Do ya think all women are ditz's????? Wasn't there a time when you first started out and were learning??? I thought tossin the issue in the forum would be a good idea, get some veterans who know bikes, who may have ideas....



I am TRYING TO LEARN. Since i just got the bike, i'd rather find this out now, before riding season starts, then to leave her sit, and then not be able to ride on that first nice day.

[mammy]

it's a 1999........sorry.

[Skier]

Since it's a '99, chances are good the electronics on the bike don't involve a computer with codes and whatnot (unlike cars, which usually have ODBII after the '95 model year or so).

You say you received a new battery. Was it charged before you received it? Does it put out the correct voltage?

If it does, start with the basics of an engine running: air, fuel, spark. Check the cheapest, quickest and easiest things first, such as:

Is the petcock set to ON or RESERVE, not OFF?
Is there something plugging up the airbox? Air filter clean?
Do the spark plugs actually spark?

Here is a selection of readings to do for more informaiton about how to test the above suggestions and more ideas:

Getting a bike started: http://www.dansmc.com/troubleshooting2.htm
Testing your battery: http://www.dansmc.com/batteries.htm

I hope this provides a good start. Post back with results and we can help you some more. But hopefully it'll just work after some minor tweaking and you'll inform us.

[skoebl]

yes, i know where the fuse box and fuses are......sheesh, men. Do ya think all women are ditz's????? Wasn't there a time when you first started out and were learning??? I thought tossin the issue in the forum would be a good idea, get some veterans who know bikes, who may have ideas....



I am TRYING TO LEARN. Since i just got the bike, i'd rather find this out now, before riding season starts, then to leave her sit, and then not be able to ride on that first nice day.

Bah, sorry about coming across like that. I honestly didn't know whether you were male or female. I, too, am learning. And it just so happens that the best method for me is to go over the completely obvious a bunch of times because often that's what it is

[mammy]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA doin the happy dance..... had a friend come over after i purchased some spark plugs.. he put the new ones in........ one hit of the start button.........VRRRRRRROMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM... LOL WHAT A SWEET SOUND THAT WAS.......... BUT......... brought up another question... i know i have to check the air filter out.. has a kuryakyn hypercharger on it.......and i know i have to check the oil and make sure that's up to snuff...

the plugs were pretty dark,,,,,, what would cause that?