Running--now not

[roundogg]

Okay, I have read the thread about--air-fuel-spark. Did the check out thing and still no start. The engine turns over just fine, but no chuffing like it wants to fire. I rode it into the front yard after a brisk 76 mile trip to get some ice cream. I know it is running a little lean and felt like I needed some IC to get me pumped to do job---read-collasping fuel lines or octopuss snafu--I killed it with the ignigition key, not the kill switch, went inside for about ten minutes, out side-key on-hit starter button-turn over but no go!!!!!!! I have had nothing but little things pissing me off since I bought the bike, this is just another thing. Any ideas???

[strom]

OK... let's to the checklist...

spark... it helps if you have a back-up plug to do this, if not, take out the sparks and ground them. Try turning over the engine now. Check for sparks.

If there's no spark, check pick-up coils, all the connectors, from pick-ups to TCI and from TCI to ignition coils.

Also check the killswitch and ignition switches. If you have a clutch and sidestand switch, check those too.

If there are sparks, there's sth wrong with the fuel... drain the carbs and gas tank, put fresh petrol in. It's not unheard that water was found in fuel.
If there is no fuel in carb bowls, there's your problem.

I wouldn't worry bout the air too much, since there should be enuff to start the engine.

LP

[crunchbird]

Check your battery. Make sure it has enough water, and put it on a charger overnight if possible. Or jump from a good car battery, she might start right up.

I guess some people have had charging problems, but a dying battery is common and will act like your PITA.

[roundogg]

Star--not start?

I knocked the crap outta me with the spark plug thing. Seems like I am getting the gas I should, it is still suspect tho. I may check the fuse area--been told that causes problems at times. Battery is new and up to charge--gas is fresh---may just be hobgoblins. Thanks for the info. Keep a smile on your dial.

[uk1.1s]

Dad in the water

Hi Round-dog.

Very sudden break-down like this sounds to me like an electrical problem. How about the ignition lights when you turn on the ignition with the key. If you are getting no lights come up then it sounds like the sort of problems I describe below.

I had a couple of similar problems before. First was when the wires corroded at the back of the ignition key unit and (more often) a fuse problem.

If it's the ignition key unit you may have to take it out and have a good look at the back of the body to see how the wires are where they go inside. I had a look at my wiring diagram and worked out what I could short circuit at the connector to these wires to get the ignition working again. Just a test - not a way to permanently hot-wire the bike!

Make sure you have a real good look at the fuses - I had an interesting break-down (not an XS - Kwak Z1000) - the main fuse looked fine, but the end caps had failed and broken right at the ends.

Wouldn't have been so bad - but this suddenly happened on the M25 motorway (the 4 lane highway that runs around London). It was fun getting the bike across all four lanes so that I could look at the thing. Luckily there were a few scraps of foil at the side of the road which I wrapped around the dead fuse to get going again.

Maybe try the foil trick I mention as a quick check if you haven't got a spare fuse easily to hand - just to see if you get it running again. Don't run the bike like this tho' as the fuse could have given up for good reason (too much current running around the circuits because of a short somewhere).

Good luck

[uk1.1s]

Doh!

Teach me not to re-read the thread properly then!

Sorry rounddog - sounds like the starter is working - so disregard main fuse/ignition switch stuff I wrote above.

The advice about checking for sparks is the first way I would go.

After you turn it over for a bit have a look at the plugs - if they are wet then chances are fuel is getting to the right place.

Good luck with it - had mine running on one or two cylinders for ages - trying to fault find every now and then when I had some time in the garage. Finally got is going today, so hang in there

[roundogg]

Hobgoblins is xs land


I am on the same page as the cat with the fuse idea. All of the lights come on, dash-headlites etc. but it just does not sound like it wants to "go". Seems the gas is kool, has spark but I may not be getting the go juice I need to get it to happen. Back to the garage and find the metric tools again to cause more mayham in the world of " I just don't know" Thanks to all that have replied, I did not know there was such a strong community of bikers that gave a s--t.

[oldfart]

Roundogg

We all stick together,no matter what part of the world....eh! If I lived closer I'd fix it for you...no charge,don't give up!....Will

[strom]

If the bike won't rev beyond a certain rpm range, check TCI box... I wanna check mine, but dunno where... these bikes were not so common here, and if I find an owner it turns out to be a rectum (*******).

LP

[uk1.1s]

Turns over and won't go

More thoughts.

1. Old trick I read about in some 1930's bike magazine - as I used to work near a shop which sold allsorts of collectables.

To give engines a bit of a kick try warming up the spark plugs in the oven (not the micro-wave!!). This as helped me a few times with an old single I had which didn't want to start - seemed to have a spark, turned over but would it go ? Neighbours used to finds it a bit strange seeing me running out of my apartment with a hot rag then hear the shouts as I burnt myself on the plugs. Some leather bike gloves are best to use and if the ovens too far away try a blow torch for a couple of minutes.

2. Had some advice once on coils that they can sometimes break down under load. What I understood from this was that they would show an OK spark out of the engine, but be suppressed under the compression / heat of the engine when the coil was on it's way out. This could of course be 'biking folklaw' - someone else on the forum may know if it's true or not. As you have 2 coils on the XS then it's unlikely that they'll go at the same time - so this ones a lone shot. If you can borrow coils from another bike / friend then it could be worth checking out when all else fails.

3. Starting awkward bikes tip 3 - I've had sucess when I put a little bit of fuel into the cylinders directly using a small funnel (the wifes aroma therapy oil buring funnel ). This sometimes gives the bike a little 'ummph' if there is a slight fuel starvation problem going on or the bikes generally being a git. A couple of revolutions firing is sometimes enough to draw in more fuel and get her going. Worked on a XJ550 and a Suzuki 250 - so maybe worth a go

Let us know how you get on roundogg

[oldfart]

TCI

Strom,the T.C.I. units are in diff. locations for diff. years,earlier models are under tail-piece mounted on back fender,later mounted on plastic inner fender(both are accessed from under seat)....they will have two multi-wire connectors plugged into them.....Will

[strom]

I know, oldfart... mine is under the seat plastic bit. Need another one. Mine appears to be fried... well... maybe, but I've ran out of ideas.

LP

[oldfart]

doh

sorry I thought you meant you didn't know "where" it was located...ha ha ...your a bit far away to give you one of mine to check it out in your bike!.....Will

[roundogg]

The go-nogo of xs

Every time I get a reply, I learn something. Thank you for all of the ideas why this machine hates me. I thank you for the offer to fix it for free--I may move into your neighborhood just for the free bikemaniacing--haha----I had an 1950 HD 45ci two wheeler I tried the trick of putting the plugs in the stove--worked like a charm, not that Hd's leak and have any problems, but half the time that is the only way I was able to get the thing started. That and always carring an extra condencer-master link-gas-wire-and duct tape-hose clamps and money. Ain't life grand? I will be trying some of the suggestions today. once again --------THANXS TO ALL.

[jkgrubbs]

After my latest carb cleaning, my xs11h had a case of the no goes. Spark checked out, good gas, new lines. I spent a while cranking, and then went and got a spray can of starting fluid. If it won't fire with this stuff, it is just plain broke. Four shots in the box opening under the seat got the old girl running, but for a short time, huffing and wheezing each time. Then, I checked the petcocks, and said to myself, "Self, thats what the PRIME position is for".

The point is, try some starting fluid in the box, see what happens...