ER6 wont start/ could sawdust be the problem?

Metalface Mark · 14 Sep 2011 at 13:25

I last used my bike about ten days ago before the bad weather hit, its fired up every time since I got it in July, when I went to use it this morning, I find that theres a sheet over the top half, and that my old man had been chainsawing logs beside it, its covered in a film of sawdust.

I wheeled it out and it went to start but then the electric starter just makes a funny noise.

Obviously this is hugely funny to everyone in the house including my daughter but as we all know, you dont mess with a mans bike!

Suggestions as to what it might be? Without the engine having been on, can it clog up spark plugs or things like that?

VoG · 14 Sep 2011 at 13:36

i can't see saw dust being the problem tbh, if the starter motors making odd noises, could be there's not enough juice in the battery, as that first initial kick on the starter takes a hefty jolt to get it turning over.

thepeteh · 14 Sep 2011 at 13:38

As above over that length of time its more likley that the battery isn't giving enough juice.

Have you tried bump starting? 2nd gear, clutch in, run along side, jump on, give it a little throttle and clutch out. (sorry if im teaching you to suck eggs here)

Metalface Mark · 14 Sep 2011 at 14:04

thepeteh said:
As above over that length of time its more likley that the battery isn't giving enough juice.

Have you tried bump starting? 2nd gear, clutch in, run along side, jump on, give it a little throttle and clutch out. (sorry if im teaching you to suck eggs here)

I havent, to be honest i just assumed with the volume of dust in the garage that its the obvious problem, but i know it shouldnt get in anywhere.

Dogbreath · 14 Sep 2011 at 14:18

Is the "funny noise" made by the starter a rapid clicking? If so then quite simply the battery is flat.

Metalface Mark · 14 Sep 2011 at 14:28

Dogbreath said:
Is the "funny noise" made by the starter a rapid clicking? If so then quite simply the battery is flat.

It is now, initially it wasnt, (it turned over fine first time then died)

I tried to jump it but to no avail, knackered myself out will give it another go a bit later.

Morbius · 14 Sep 2011 at 14:50

Metalface Mark said:
It is now, initially it wasnt, (it turned over fine first time then died)

I tried to jump it but to no avail, knackered myself out will give it another go a bit later.

Try pressing the starter as you do it. If it's got a little bit of charge left it will turn it a little bit and it all helps.

MADMAN69UK · 14 Sep 2011 at 15:16

As said above, if it makes a quick clicking noise when you press the starter it sounds like it isn't getting enough juice from the battery.

If you can't get it bumped I believe you can jump it from a car, but don't have the car running at the time or you may fry the bike. That would help prove whether or not it's just the battery.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

Metalface Mark · 14 Sep 2011 at 16:09

Got it started, battery was flat

Suppose it was a rookie mistake, put two and two together and made 5.

Thanks for the advice!