still having trouble starting

[greenstiles]

It ticks over even, but is a pig to start, starter noise sounds weak like the battery is not charging on the bike, when i take battert out and charge it ,it is better, what is stopping the battery from charging on the bike please ?   

[greenstiles]

Just wondering if it's because i have my lights on all the time, given the age of the bike, they weren't designed to have their lights on constant like modern bikes ?

[clarkdw]

Canadian bikes have lights on all the time. Don't even have an on/off switch for the headlight, only high and low beam switch so that is not the problem. Charging system can be checked with a voltmeter at the battery terminals.

Is it possible that you have a small constant drain? Try disconnecting the battery when you park it. Then connect it when you go to start it. If that helps then you need to look for something that is slowly killing the battery with a constant discharge.

[greenstiles]

Good idea  will try that, then think i'll take it to a honda mechanic i know

[rigwit]

Just wondering if it's because i have my lights on all the time, given the age of the bike, they weren't designed to have their lights on constant like modern bikes ?

Having lights on dip, and trying to start, will make it harder............turn lights OFF b4 starting, as mentioned to check charging voltage with multi-meter voltage should be no higher than 15.8v if it is, you have a problem with;       voltage/rectifier,bad plug connections, poor wiring(called black wire).         to check voltage/ stator windings - disconnect multi plug for voltage regulator, and any yellow to yellow should be no higher than 5 ohm's make sure you check all yellows against all yellows.

[greenstiles]

many thanks 

[greenstiles]

Latest, put my tickover up a bit and seems to start better now, with throttle open a touch, have noticed not starting on all 4 piston straight off, so looks like the problem is not cleaning the pilot jets etc propery last time ! so as i have read on this forum i am just another owner looking to clean them again, will only be the 2nd time, so either i take them to the sonic bath or prob looking at a 3rd time  .............

[Drewski]

Take it for a few good blasts Mine used to start at the touch of a button when cold, usualy without choke, BUT, only if the throttle was in exactly the right position - not enough it wouldn't catch, too much and it would fire then stop straight away. Strange but true.

[greenstiles]

Latest ,latest.............don't think it is pilot jets now for sure..........took it for a few blasts after charging up  the new battery (few months old)   now when i stop the starter will turn over 2-3 times before going dead !  had to bump start it a few times to get me home..........had my lights off.......by time got back tried to start it again very weak starter fading to dead again.................so starter motor, alternator, coils...............a few times today it faultered of mid throttle  for the 1st time too........

Lights are bright by the way