Ok - What's causing this then?

This has happened twice now, so it's not a frequent thing, but I'd
rather know now than when I'm left high and dry. Twice, I've gone to
start the 955i and had all the electrics seemingly die on me. Some
fiddling with the igntion key and alarm sorts it out, but what's going
on?

Normal:
When I go to start the bike I disarm the alarm, turn the ignition on.
The appropriate lights on the dash light up. I pull the clutch in,
then press the starter button. Bike turns over 2-3 times then fires.
All is well.

Odd:
As above, but when I press the start button there's a clicking noise
instead of a starting bike noise and the lights on the dash go out.
Turning the ignition off and on doesn't make any difference. Last time
it happened I let the alarm set itself, then unset it and all was well.

To me, it's the immobiliser being a bit keen. Anyone else got any
other theories? BTW, I've checked the kill switch, it's set to run.

TIA.

 

Poor earth either on the engine itself, or the starter motor.

 

Bad Earth on battery
Bad Connections on starter solenoid
Dodgy ignition cable connector
Bad connector at alarm power feed
Bad earth at alarm power connection


--


--
Robbo
1500GL 1988 Goldwing (Waiting Sale)
BMW K100 RS 1984
"Fairly Quick" status. Silver level
BotaFOF #19. E.O.S.M 2001/2002/2003/2004.
B.O.S.M 2003, 2004 .FURSWB#1 KotL..YTC449
PM#7
..

 

^^^^^
<snip>

I think this may be your problem.

 

I didn't have time to fully read your question but my advice is to try
looking round the bend and chasing the vanishing point. Most inexperienced
riders can get caught out by concentrating on the patch of road in front of
them. Remember: slow in, fast out. And don't be tempted to ride outside your
abilities trying to keep up with faster, more experienced friends. Above
all, have fun. The worst that can hapen is that you're horribly mangled and
live the rest of your life in a wheelchair with a dripfeed. What do you
think about those pro-hunt protesters eh? It they'd had their way in '43
we'd all be speaking German.

 

Others have given you lots of good advice and things to check, but I
will add this:
Get the battery checked out.
Modern batteries show few signs of failing before they pop their clogs
in a terminal way ;-)
One of those signs is as you describe above.
If your battery is over 2 years old, put a new one in, keep the old
one as stock, on an optimate, especially as the colder nights are
getting here now.

--
ColonelTupperware
spouting bollocks on Usenet since 1997
Usenet FAQ at
http://www.its.caltech.edu/its/services/internetapps/news/news2.shtml
UPCE FAQ at http://upce.org.uk/
UKRM FAQ at http://www.ukrm.net/faq/

 

I got rid of my Daytona because of electrical woes. No really.
Buy a Gixxer 1000

Mine has flat (drag) bars on it today for a change.

 

Not you as well. I've already had Monz chanting "buy a gixxer thou" at
me.

 

So far it's only happened at standstill. I've ridden over some very
bumpy roads since the first occurence but never had the bike cut out on
the move.

 

Check on point 1 - I always turn the lights off as that's usually the
second most work it does, no?

I think the battery is ok - the lights stay on quite brightly and they
don't dim very much when the indicators flash when stopped[1].

I suppose I'll have to get a multimeter. Ta for the help (to everyone).

[1] Every bike I've had has done this, the daytona the least of the lot.

 

Well not a brand new £yumpty one obviously. Mugs game that...

 

I know where a very nice example is for sale at a very reasonable
price to a fellow ukrmer....

 

Shutupshutupshutup.

<tempted>

Actually, when there was the CIHAGM thing at EOSM I realised as soon as
I set off home that I was on the bike I liked best. The only reason I
want a gsxr-thou is that a set of Renthall bars for said bike comes
with a wheelie dial, not a throttle. It'll end in tears/jail/hospital.

I wonder how much it would be to change my policy...

 

I enjoyed riding a gixxer thou, but in hindsight it made things *too*
easy. I think another year on the ZRX will improve my riding more than
having a bike loads better than me.

I quite fancy one of the last carbed CBR600's as a lightweight
alternative though.... or perhaps a lardy 9R sports-tourer in C2 guise.

 

Are there three sportsbikes less alike than these three?

 

In terms of riding comfort, plenty are.

 

Okay, in one particular area. But I can't believe that you can't make
up your mind between these three bikes - because they *are* very
different. Do you want an unremarkable, out-dated 600cc bike, or a
powerful but large out-dated 900cc bike, or a nimble and powerful
1000cc bike?

 

Well, I can't afford the last option any time soon, so let's ignore
that. The other 2 bikes are both selling for around 2K, bearing in mind
I'm no Valentino Rossi they would offer all I need from a more sporty
bike.

In order of preference, I'm looking for: A fairing, comfort, reasonable
handling, 150MPH engine.

Beyond that I don't actually believe it matters what bike I end up
buying, so long as I'm not uncomfortable on it.

 

Hmm well I had bar risers welded to the top yoke of my Daytona and fitted
Jota bars. I'm sure the ABM crew who make the Gixxer conversion will do one
for yours.

 

Ignore the last and you can get a Gower-esque GS500.