Starting motor sticks.

[bikehunter]

The other day after a ride, I restarted the bike up to ride into the shed and it just turned slowly and would not crank. Gave it another prod and it fired no problem! Is this common as its done it twice now, the battery is 6 months old, all good contacts, starts like thunder when cold etc.

[Phil]

Spins fast & does not crank, or turns slow like a low battery.

[dodgyloner]

Sounds like battery's going to me.

[MadMax]

This is common on hot restarts - your motor stops at running temperature with one of the cylinders on the compression stroke. The gas trapped inside is not cooled by air movement so the pressure increases giving too much resistance for the starter to overcome. A way around is to just press the start switch once for a second, then press and hold to start the engine. This will just spin the crank enough to release the pressure allowing a normal start .. alternatively fit compression release valves ..

[Urrell]

My Sportster does that. The starter just kicks (more than the click of a flat battery) but always spins the second time. Probably does that (hot or cold) about every 6 starts or so. Bit like the lock up we used to get starting big diesels with too much ether when cold years ago. This seems a common problem related to often on other forums.


They all do that Sir

[bikehunter]

Originally Posted by MadMax

This is common on hot restarts - your motor stops at running temperature with one of the cylinders on the compression stroke. The gas trapped inside is not cooled by air movement so the pressure increases giving too much resistance for the starter to overcome. A way around is to just press the start switch once for a second, then press and hold to start the engine. This will just spin the crank enough to release the pressure allowing a normal start .. alternatively fit compression release valves ..

Thanks Madmax, its got a new battery fitted and I thought that there was an explanation to this as it fires normally after a retry.