I'm new to the forums and noticed a wealth of knowledge here about other issues so thought that this was the best place to ask.
I purchased a 2009 Vulcan 500 LTD in late 2008 and it's been running great up until now. I ran it all throughout the winter of 08-09 as I live in Louisiana and we have mild winters here. However, this year I didn't run it but maybe once in the month of February due to working out of town for awhile, etc. I fired it up once about 2 to 3 weeks ago just to make sure the battery was still good and didn't think twice about it since then. A few days ago I attempted to take it out and it started with no issues and idled for about 3-5 minutes while I put my gear on, then abruptly died before I even sat back down on it. I tried to start it again and got a rapid clicking noise. I tried to get it going but the engine would just turn without firing and after a few seconds I would get a clicking noise again.
(At this point I should state that I know next to nothing about troubleshooting ANY type of mechanical issue, whether it be on a 4 wheeled machine or 2 wheeled one. I'm trying to provide any and all information that I can, and also trying to learn how to be a little more automotive savvy.)
I tried to start it again and the engine turned but it was turning slower and slower. I took the battery out and had it tested and charged and put it back in the next day. I tried starting it and the engine turned perfectly as it had done in the past and I experienced no clicking sounds, but it still wouldn't fire.
I read articles here and there online that said I should try draining the carburetor. I loosened the screw on the right side of the carb and let some fuel flow out. The fuel looked fine. When setting the fuel switch to PRI the fuel would trickle out until I turned it off. I'm assuming my carburetor is functioning properly at this point.
This is the embarrassing part. I wanted to check my spark plugs to make sure that wasn't an issue. I removed the seat as I had done previously and managed to unbolt the tank from the frame and slid it back to access the spark plugs. However, being the noob that I am I cannot for the life of me find a spark plug. Do they look different on a motorcycle? Am I not looking hard enough? Or should I not consider the spark plugs to be a problem at all and look somewhere else?
Thanks in advance. I'm ready to get back on my bike.
I purchased a 2009 Vulcan 500 LTD in late 2008 and it's been running great up until now. I ran it all throughout the winter of 08-09 as I live in Louisiana and we have mild winters here. However, this year I didn't run it but maybe once in the month of February due to working out of town for awhile, etc. I fired it up once about 2 to 3 weeks ago just to make sure the battery was still good and didn't think twice about it since then. A few days ago I attempted to take it out and it started with no issues and idled for about 3-5 minutes while I put my gear on, then abruptly died before I even sat back down on it. I tried to start it again and got a rapid clicking noise. I tried to get it going but the engine would just turn without firing and after a few seconds I would get a clicking noise again.
(At this point I should state that I know next to nothing about troubleshooting ANY type of mechanical issue, whether it be on a 4 wheeled machine or 2 wheeled one. I'm trying to provide any and all information that I can, and also trying to learn how to be a little more automotive savvy.)
I tried to start it again and the engine turned but it was turning slower and slower. I took the battery out and had it tested and charged and put it back in the next day. I tried starting it and the engine turned perfectly as it had done in the past and I experienced no clicking sounds, but it still wouldn't fire.
I read articles here and there online that said I should try draining the carburetor. I loosened the screw on the right side of the carb and let some fuel flow out. The fuel looked fine. When setting the fuel switch to PRI the fuel would trickle out until I turned it off. I'm assuming my carburetor is functioning properly at this point.
This is the embarrassing part. I wanted to check my spark plugs to make sure that wasn't an issue. I removed the seat as I had done previously and managed to unbolt the tank from the frame and slid it back to access the spark plugs. However, being the noob that I am I cannot for the life of me find a spark plug. Do they look different on a motorcycle? Am I not looking hard enough? Or should I not consider the spark plugs to be a problem at all and look somewhere else?
Thanks in advance. I'm ready to get back on my bike.
