Bump start questions

[Guest]

Hey everyone,
I have the unfortunate experience of riding my bike to work and when I went to start it up again, mere minutes after my ride ended, it gave quite a sluggish start. Charging system issue or bad battery/cell I'm sure.
However! I still need to ride it back home, I know i can bumpstart it but I have never done that before.

I know I need to be in second gear, bike on.
Hold the clutch with my thumb over the starter switch.
get up to 5-10 MPH (Thankfully, I'm on the top level of a sloped parking garage so that shouldn't be a problem)
Once it gets up to speed I know that I am supposed to let go of the clutch, and press the starter.
it should theoretically start after that.

Is there anything I am missing? or are there any tips or pointers anyone can give me?
I'm not looking forward to having to push it home... or to the mechanic down the street.

[chuck hahn]

Have someone just use cables and jump you off. Be sure the car is NOT running at the time. Jump it and go. If the systemm is in fact charging and the battery is the problem, it will stay running off the stator.

[tkent02]

Don't use the starter. Just the clutch. Make sure the ignition and kill switch are in the right positions first. Set the choke as you normally would. If you bounce on the seat as you cop the clutch it will be less likely to skid. Once it starts pull the clutch in, stop the bike to save the rest of the hill should you need it, and try to keep it running. If the battery and charging system is dead enough it won't make it home. The ignition system takes some power to make the spark plug spark. How far away do you live?

If you can't fix the charging issue for a day or two, bring a battery charger to work with you, take the battery into the office and charge it up while you work.

Do you know about the quick test to check out the charging system?

Yeah, what Chuck said, a jump start is better as long as you leave the car turned off.

[tbonez91]

I'm sure the battery is the problem. I've replaced the stator and R/R and all that last season. So I will try jumping it first.

What is the test to check the charging system? Is that checking the voltage at 4-5000 RPMs?

[Rob S.]

Don't use the starter. Just the clutch. Make sure the ignition and kill switch are in the right positions first. Set the choke as you normally would.

What he said. Double check key, kill switch and choke positions.

[BigD_83]

I'm sure the battery is the problem. I've replaced the stator and R/R and all that last season. So I will try jumping it first.

What is the test to check the charging system? Is that checking the voltage at 4-5000 RPMs?

Most forums have Stickies addressing the common problems or concerns. This one is no exception.

Right at the top of the electrical section:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?164993-Charging-System-QUICK-TEST

[dorkburger]

Years ago my starter failed 2 hours into a weekend trip. There was never a consideration of going home, only consideration of where to park (on a hill /slope).
Do as they said for starting, then check the electrical system. Also if you have a lead acid battery, be sure to check its level (wearing safety glasses). Unbeknownst to me, overuse of a battery tender cooked the water out of mine a few years ago. I found out when it cranked very slowly. The tender said the battery was good, which I assume was a dry charge.....

[storm 64]

Since you have the needed information, I have a funny story. This Harley guy I know had his motorcycle parked in front of this BAR/restaurant with his lights on. His Harley was decked out with them little LED lights all over it... Well, him and his wife said good-byes and left. About 15 minutes later I see his wife. "I thought you guys left what's up" "they're in the back lot trying to push start the motorcycle". My first mistake: going out back to see what was going on. Two guys pushing as hard as they could, the one guy was exhausted. My second mistake: "I'll help you guys out". Well, they were pushing, then the rider would dump it into 1st gear. The engine would turn a couple of times and the tire would skid. Me and another fellow were pushing and I said "dump it into 2ed this time" When he did that, that sucker LIT! The bike took off, me and the other guy took three giant steps to try to regain our balance, we did a perfect synchronized summer salt on the asphalt drive! My jeans wore torn, my knee hurt, my elbow was bleeding... Lesson learned; Don't push start a Harley!

[chuck hahn]

90% of the electrical gremlins on a Harley is the fact they rattle the battery bolts loose. Quick tightening and it all is resolved.

[trippivot]

second gear - clutch in - when you pop the clutch lever out and back in - I plop down on the seat to give some traction and prevent the rear tire from skidding.

when you get good at it you may be surprised how little / slow you gotta get going to fire it up.

[chuck hahn]

Well......did you get it back home? What way did you choose to do??? Some links to diagnose the entire charging system.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?164993-Charging-System-QUICK-TEST

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?191795-GS-Stator&p=1630965#post1630965

[tkent02]

I prefer my kick starter, it's almost as easy to push through by hand as pushing the starter button....
But I'm guessing the PO chose the more advanced and technically sophisticated (cheaper) later model without one.

[mrbill5491]

I've had to bump start my bike a couple times, I always use 4th or 5th gear, makes it easier I believe.

[Eli69]

i usually use 4th or 5th gear too, depending on how tight the motor is compression-wise.

also.... make sure this is not the problem:

[tbonez91]

So I did get it home. I found out that the battery was totally shot, damn thing didn't hold a charge worth squat.
I was amazed when it actually started up no problem there in the garage when I left work.

I did actually get to bumpstart it the day after when I thought "oh hey ill try it" it started right up, bumping it was was alot easier and more fun than I thought it would be.

Got the new battery the other day and when I went to start it, with the new one, just the sounds pitch of starting it up with the higher amps being pulled through was amazing.

Thanks for your help everyone who contributed.