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No Spark after running out of gas

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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 12:27 PM
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No Spark after running out of gas

Hi all,
I'm fixing up a 98 VTR1000 Superhawk that had been sitting for a few years. I went through the whole procedure: clean carbs, new oil, get rid of rust. I eventually got the thing running, so I went for a short test drive (4 miles) and ran out of gas just before the gas station (pushed it there). I filled up with gas, went to start and won't fire. Battery eventually dies. Try to bump start, get a jump off, and I can't get it to fire at all. I eventually get home (after pushing it 1 1/2 miles before a guy with a trailer helps out) and I yank the carbs out again, thinking it sucked up some gunk at the bottom of the tank. They look clean, but I clean the jets out again for good measure. Throw them back on, and nothing. I check the spark plugs and I'm getting no spark. Replaced the plugs, and still no spark at either plug. I still get power, it turns over, and the battery has charge.
So I'm stumped. I'm less familiar with tracking down electrical issues and I don't know entirely where to start. I have a multimeter, but I figured I would consult the all-knowing entity that is the internet before I started ripping into it.
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 01:10 PM
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Is the kill switch in the "run" position?
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 01:10 PM
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kill switch, kickstand switch, neutral switch... check them all
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 01:11 PM
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damnit hawk... beat me by 2 seconds lol
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 01:25 PM
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Kill switch was set to run, and both side stand and neutral lights were on, but I'll go double check to see if they work tomorrow. Will the bike still turn over with the kill switch set to not run? How do I test the neutral indicator and kill switch?
Assuming those are fine, where else should I look? I want to try to do as many tests as possible so I don't waste a ton of time going back and forth in the forums.
Old Jun 18, 2015 | 02:11 PM
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The entire Honda Shop Manual is posted in the Knowledgbase Section of the forum.
Old Jun 19, 2015 | 06:35 AM
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Well, I'm feeling stupid. The kill switch was off.... Mega facepalm, but massive sigh of relief. Oh well, it needed new spark plugs anyways.
Old Jun 19, 2015 | 07:51 AM
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Wow, you posted that. You, sir, are more secure than am I.

And, welcome to the forum.
Old Jun 19, 2015 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by dreygata
Well, I'm feeling stupid. The kill switch was off.... Mega facepalm, but massive sigh of relief. Oh well, it needed new spark plugs anyways.

You weren't the first and you won't be the last...
Old Jun 19, 2015 | 09:43 AM
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Been there, and yes the bike will turn over, kill switch just kills spark nothing else...
Old Jun 19, 2015 | 03:56 PM
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You have to re-light the pilot light....... went through the same thing with my oil furnace.........
Old Jun 20, 2015 | 04:42 AM
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Originally Posted by mikstr
You have to re-light the pilot light....... went through the same thing with my oil furnace.........


Wow an oil furnace with a pilot light???????
Old Jun 20, 2015 | 07:49 AM
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yes, I was cleaning my breaker points when it happened.........
Old Jun 25, 2015 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dreygata
Well, I'm feeling stupid. The kill switch was off.... Mega facepalm, but massive sigh of relief. Oh well, it needed new spark plugs anyways.
Everyone has done it whether they admit it or not. Welcome. At least it was an easy fix.

I was thinking about the kill and high beam switches. I do not use either one very much. The other day I went to a sport bike dinner meet-up and had to ride back in the dark. I hit the high beam and everything went black. It turns out I don't use it enough and the contacts got dirty. It cleared up after a few positive switches but I decided to use both the the kill and high beam switch, occasionally, just to keep them in good working order.

Last edited by Big_Jim59; Jun 25, 2015 at 08:42 PM.
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