Hello everyone. It's been awhile since I've lurked around here and I apologize for being a fair (or, I guess in this case, bad) weather poster, but I really need some help.
So, the TLR has decided it does not love me. I've had an intermittent weak start when the bike is warm, but it's been that way for the three years that I've owned the bike.
About a month ago (when I started having to park the bike outside) I started getting an occasional no start. I'd hold the switch and it would do nothing. No cranking or engaging, just a clicking of the relay under the seat and the fuel pump whirring away. But, after hitting it a few times and holding the switch, it would eventually kick over and run. It was very intermittent and would even happen when the bike was cold. But, for the last two weeks it was fine. No problems at all. Until the UT game yesterday.
We were riding slow and stuck in traffic, so the bike got pretty warm. We stopped to pick up the tickets and I definitely had some worry about it not starting right away or easily, but I turned it off anyway (smart guy. Way to listen to instincts).
Came back out and I go to crank it up, it gives an EXTREMELY weak few cranks that are nowhere close to enough and then nothing. Just the clicking of relays and whirring of the pump. I left it and went to the game, came back, still no love.
Tried to jump it, no love. Tried to beat on the starter while cranking (as best as I could, which wasn't great) and no love. The headlights are strong (and don't dim when I hit the start button), so I really don't think it's the battery.
Any thoughts? I did search the posts and I saw a few mixed choices of either the connection to the starter or the starter itself. Anything else I might be missing before I pay a ton for a used starter or pull this one out for a rebuild?
Also, what's the easiest way to pop start this tank? I had a few weak attempts in 2nd gear (no pushing help) and it just locked up the tire. Any pointers here?
Thank you all for your help.
So, the TLR has decided it does not love me. I've had an intermittent weak start when the bike is warm, but it's been that way for the three years that I've owned the bike.
About a month ago (when I started having to park the bike outside) I started getting an occasional no start. I'd hold the switch and it would do nothing. No cranking or engaging, just a clicking of the relay under the seat and the fuel pump whirring away. But, after hitting it a few times and holding the switch, it would eventually kick over and run. It was very intermittent and would even happen when the bike was cold. But, for the last two weeks it was fine. No problems at all. Until the UT game yesterday.
We were riding slow and stuck in traffic, so the bike got pretty warm. We stopped to pick up the tickets and I definitely had some worry about it not starting right away or easily, but I turned it off anyway (smart guy. Way to listen to instincts).
Came back out and I go to crank it up, it gives an EXTREMELY weak few cranks that are nowhere close to enough and then nothing. Just the clicking of relays and whirring of the pump. I left it and went to the game, came back, still no love.
Tried to jump it, no love. Tried to beat on the starter while cranking (as best as I could, which wasn't great) and no love. The headlights are strong (and don't dim when I hit the start button), so I really don't think it's the battery.
Any thoughts? I did search the posts and I saw a few mixed choices of either the connection to the starter or the starter itself. Anything else I might be missing before I pay a ton for a used starter or pull this one out for a rebuild?
Also, what's the easiest way to pop start this tank? I had a few weak attempts in 2nd gear (no pushing help) and it just locked up the tire. Any pointers here?
Thank you all for your help.