[allanlaviers]

Help!

I went to San Antonio awhile back for six weeks and left my 800 vulcan classic with my wife so she could start it twice a week for me.

I got back and now I can't start the bike. It just rolls over and over. I have tried warming the bike (I live in northern TN), charging the bike, using the thrust cold start spray into the carb, all to no avail.

I just can't get the bike started. Am I doing something wrong? What can I do to get it lit?

Allan

 

[antiq]

check the stop switch. set to run. Been there done that. Never use it but do bump it occasionally. Or check to be certain that the bike is in neutral or kickstand is up.

 

[allanlaviers]

Run switch is set to run, bike is in neutral.

The kickstand is down, but that has never been a problem before. I used to start it and let it idle for five to warm up.

 

[rldowns3]

You got children? Did they mess with any knobs or buttons? I ask this because the same has happened to me, kid turned the idle knob/screw all the way out one me once.

 

[davidcl]

got gas? dont laugh... happened to me once

 

[vulcan500rider]

I'd bet on either the battery or fuel.

 

[allanlaviers]

I have a 13 year old. I asked him but he claims he hasn't done anything to the bike... I believe him. Unless the bike is attached to a 360 playstation he wouldn't touch it.

I have gas in the tank (i can see the jet squirting gas into the carb (I removed the air filter to spray that thrust into the chamber)), but today I was thinking about getting a gallon of high octane fuel and putting it into the tank.

The battery. I have used it up, charged it up, used it up, and charged it up again in an effort to start the bike, but it's a no go. Unless I am missing something there I don't think it's the battery. The lights are bright and the engine turns, but it doesn't light. I have, on two separate occasions, heard the engine begin to ignite but it never took.

 

[Classic]

With the starting-up your wife did while you were gone, with the bike just idling for a short period of time, it's probably fouled plugs. Engine never warmed up and that's something the 800's don't like.

 

[antiq]

Yep I'd check the plugs. I'd also check for spark. If no spark check the fuses.

 

[allanlaviers]

Ok,

I was hoping you wouldn't say plugs as it looks like I have to take the tank off to get to it.

I haven't checked for spark, I'll do that first. Then I'll get to that plug.

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it went tomorrow.

Allan

 

[allanlaviers]

Hey hey hey,

That did the trick. The plugs were quite fouled, it was like cleaning the inside of a M16 after a few hours of shooting blanks. The carbon was caked pretty thick.

I really didn't enjoy getting to the plug right under the tank and had to use quite a bit of manuevering to get the socket into the hole... had to do a Jeremy to get the proper angle.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Two wheels are always better than four...

 

[antiq]

Great!! So glad you've got the problem solved. Just keep the rubber side down and watch where you want to be.

 

[Classic]

To keep that from happening again stick with regular unleaded gas, minimal choke useage and don't lug the engine.

 

[allanlaviers]

Roger that guys... and thanks for all the advice.

Now if it would just quit raining.