Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008 - (Page 58)

MONTHLY FEATURES BENCH RACING more than a few wild guesses but here goes. Bench Racing #104 November 2008 Gentle readers, Obviously this column is intended to help you with your problems, at least your motorcycle related ones, I’ve never been too good with those sticky personal relationship type things although I’ll certainly give them a whack if you’d like. BUT I cannot give you a good answer if you don’t provide some decent information for me to work with. The following two letters are perfect examples of what happens when a writer doesn’t provide some solid background. At the very least I need to know the make, model and year of the bike, the circumstances under which the problem occurred, what, if anything, was done to the bike immediately preceding the problem, and what was done to try and rectify the problem. In many cases it also helps if you can provide some hard numbers, especially when we’re dealing with an electrical issue. For instance if you have a starter motor problem, telling me the headlight comes on isn’t nearly as useful as telling me the battery voltage is 11.5 volts at the terminals. And there’s a big difference between telling me the engine turns over but won’t start, and telling me it won’t turn over. As to the relationship stuff I’ll need all the gory details and a color photo. Presents By: Mark Zimmerman Hardly enough info Mark My bike is an ‘83 V45 Magna. When riding recently it suddenly shut down, as if I had turned the key. When I finally restarted it, it would barely run even when the choke was on full. When I backed off the choke, the engine died. I also put in a new battery. The bike engine cranks for a few seconds, then stopped, and now won’t turn over at all. Headlights, etc. all work fine, but the engine won’t turn over. Really puzzled. I even tried to jump-start it to no avail. This is my first bike in 30 years so I don’t know which way to turn. Bench Racing Q If the problem had been fuel related the engine would probably have sputtered a few times before it died, and if you’d had a mechanical problem the rear wheel most likely would have locked, even if only briefly. Since the engine shut down instantly, and you don’t mention anything that would indicate a fuel or mechanical failure, I have to assume the problem is electrical in nature, and one which was compounded by fouling the plugs during the attempt at restarting the engine. Your first task is to find out why the engine won’t turn over. To do that you’ll need a voltmeter, and the shop manual. Make sure the battery is up to snuff, fully charged it should read somewhere around 13.5 to 14.0 volts at the terminals. If it doesn’t charge it up until it does and then try to start the bike, if the engine spins and starts great, if not you’ll need to trace the current path to the starter. Make certain battery voltage reaches the starter relay’s (solenoid) battery terminal and that at least 12 volts reaches the relay’s switched terminal. If those tests are positive, and the starter still won’t engage bench test the starter If the electrical tests indicate a problem, for instance if 12 volts doesn’t reach the starter when you hit the switch, you’ll need to look at anything and everything in the starter circuit. For example, the bikes kickstand safety switch may have failed or the clutch interlock or even the kill switch may be bad. Randy Via e-mail A Frankly, there’s barely enough info here to make 58 November 2008 | WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® I WALNECKS.COM http://www.WALNECKS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008 Contents American The Buzz w/Buzz Walneck Our Winners Stories! By Rick Weiler 1962 Henkel Tourist Motorcycle Tips w/Mike Brown Our Winners Stories! By Tom Sutherland Event Listings & Advertisements Bench Racing w/Mark Zimmerman British Biker of the Month: Hagon Shocks European Japanese Davenport Show Recap Motorbikes & Scooters 1956 Maico Mobil 197cc 1952 45cc VeloSolex Memorbilia Antique Cycle Clubs Parts, Accessories, Want Ads How to Place a Word Ad How To Place a Photo Ad Area Code Directory How To Subscribe Let Us Help With Your Event

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - November 2008

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