Wont Start...please help
 

I rode to the movies yeterday and when I got back outside...it was pouring...1st time my HAWK has seen rain. It started & ran fine.

I rode it to work this morning...no rain...started & ran fine again. Went to go to lunch and it wont start & it just clicks when I try to start it. Got a jump start...runs fine...(ODOMETER works just fine)...(mileage & trip flickers)...(TACHOMETER goes off and on) if i pull the clutch in and rev it,...the TACH comes to life for a few seconds then back out again. Took the battery out & went to AutoZone...they tested it, and said its no longer a good battery.

1.) Could the rain have done something to cause this???
2.) Could it just be that batteries just go bad???
3.) Possibly something else???

Any input will be helpful.

Thank you in advance

1.) Yes.....good idea to check the condition and cleanliness of connectors and connection points, grounds, etc.

2.) Yes.....how old is the battery?

3.) Yes.....regulator/rectifier is one of the common places to look for issues.


Rex

Start with a new battery (excuse the pun)....

Its been using the EverStart from WALMART (ES12BS). Should I still go with that one. The 3 bikes ive owned have all had the EverStarts from Walmart. Im guessing good battery, or just cheapest to go with.

Its been using the EverStart from WALMART (ES12BS). Should I still go with that one. The 3 bikes ive owned have all had the EverStarts from Walmart. Im guessing good battery, or just cheapest to go with.

Don't you mean NeverStart? :p

How long was it in the bike?


Rex

No idea...i got the bike back in February and it was working great.

Charge or replace the battery, then check voltage at idle and at 4K rpm's. If you get a low reading, suspect a faulty R/R.

cool, thanks. thats what I figured after reading all the posts about faulty R/R's. Know anyone with an R/R from 2001 or newer that might wanna get rid of it???

I've only got an non-finned R/R. Sorry.

Its battery.. a everstart in my bike those battery are not great.. Check the acid level.. If it click then it may be connection or your solenoid.. I just switch my solenoid a month ago.

My bike ran into a similar situation. To test the solenoid etc. I actually just connected a jumper cable to the starter + terminal (on front of bike covered in black rubber nub) and TOUCHED (not connected) the other side of the jumper cable to the battery + terminal carefully. This method only uses one wire of the jumper cable. The starting action didn't change at all from what it was doing before so it wasn't a case of good battery bad solenoid. Be prepared to pull the jumper cable off the + terminal, it welds on a little. Also, I'm not responsible if you blow yourself up.

And now that I have a new battery the bike likes to charge up the system to 16+ volts at idle. Looks like I need a new RR!