All I wanted to do was go for a ride

Luke · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:15

Grrr.....

The bike refused to start this morning as it hadn't been run for about 4 weeks. The engine turned over ok but it wouldn't catch and I drained the battery trying.

My battery charger was dead so I knew I'd need another.
Went to J&S and bought one and then went to attach it. The bloody battery is under the tank so I had to unbolt the tank and lift it.

In doing this I ripped the hose running from the fuel tap to the engine. Unfortunately I didn't realise this until about half an hour later when I went into the garage and found the contents of the tank sloshed over the garage floor.

At least in the time it will take to charge the battery the petrol might evaporate. I'm hoping there was enough slack on the hose to cut the torn section and reattach it but can't try it until the battery is back in and the tank bolted down.

No riding for me today it seems.

liamgo · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:24

what bike?

Luke · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:58

ZZR1100

Draeger · 2 Jan 2011 at 16:20

My RSV has been sat still since September. Even with it sat on the Optimate I always shudder when I first start it after it's Winter lay-off. Mille's are renowned for demolishing sprag clutches ( engine out job - @£400+ ) at times like these, so far I've got away with it but it doesn't make starting it up for the first time any more pleasant. :eek:

liamgo · 2 Jan 2011 at 16:35

ahh bump starting would be out of the question then.

i always take the batteries off my bikes over winter, pop them in a box and in the loft then give them a few hours charge prior to reinstalling them.

Draeger · 2 Jan 2011 at 16:59

I considered removing the battery during the recent cold snap but taking the battery out of the equation on a Mille can cause the clocks and mileage to reset upon reconnecting it at a later date. Didn't want to risk it.

She will start, don't get me wrong as she has never let me down yet. It's just a "one eye open" and cringe when you first do it.

Luke - Unlucky m8, these things are sent to try us, eh?.

liamgo · 2 Jan 2011 at 17:18

yer had that problem on my sxv, must be to much to ask of aprilia to add a small battery in the clocks.

Luke · 2 Jan 2011 at 19:19

It gets worse, mainly due to my own stupidity.

I got the pipe sorted and got the battery topped up enough to turn it over. I managed to get it started too. I flicked the tap to reserve and set off to the petrol station but ran out of petrol midway between home and the petrol station (a mile from either).
I walked home and got the car, got a 5l can from the garage and filled it at the petrol station.
I then drove to the bike and put the fuel in.
Unfortunately the lines were empty and the battery soon flattened trying to start it.

I've tried bumping it, jumping it, swearing at it and thumping it but can't get it started. There is probably an air lock in one of the lines.

I can't get the battery out at the roadside in the dark as it will require lifting the tank again.
That is a job for the morning.

I pushed the bike to a side road and have left it there.

I'm looking forward to round 2, tomorrow.

Draeger · 2 Jan 2011 at 19:24

Best of luck m8, let us know how it goes. FWIW, the roads around here are still treacherous with ice and leftover snow so it will be a while before I manage to get out on the Mille for the first ride of 2011.

Luke · 2 Jan 2011 at 19:29

It'll be worth the wait, I'm sure.

Draeger · 2 Jan 2011 at 19:32

Undoubtedly.

Hector · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:17

If you've got a good set of lungs, put a washing-up glove half into the tank and inflate it. The idea being to seal the tank and increase air pressure within, helping to force the fuel down the lines.

Luke · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:28

Interesting idea.... I might be desperate enough tomorrow to try that!

Hector · 2 Jan 2011 at 20:58

I should add: Don't use a balloon though, as they'll most likley pop and then you'll end up with bits in the tank.

Rich1988 · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:39

you should buy a dedicated trickle type bike charger, I have one on my 7r (all be it smashed up 7r) and the connector screws onto the terminals and has a connector that I ran under the pillion seat, so when i want to charge it I just pop the pillion seat up and connect it rather than having to take both seats etc off, you could have course do this with just two pieces of wire as well.

MatteH Oxford · 2 Jan 2011 at 21:45

Why leave you bike standing for several months, i start mine at least once a fortnight?!

Luke · 2 Jan 2011 at 23:18

I bought a battery conditioner today so shouldn't get into this mess again.
I dropped the bike about a month ago and since then have been made redundant. Starting the bike periodically has been the last thing on my mind.

.one. · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:00

I love my Optimate.

Luke · 3 Jan 2011 at 11:18

Well the bike is back in to the garage plugged into the new charger/optimiser.

Managed to get a set of leads onto the battery and jumped it from the car. It started first time so I think I may have flooded it last night.

Glad that's over!

Draeger · 3 Jan 2011 at 11:26

Result.