Hey everyone, this is my first post and I got my FZR250 (91, 3LN) 2 weeks ago <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s --> and now I got a problem with starting up <!-- s:cry: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cry.gif" alt=":cry:" title="Crying or Very sad" /><!-- s:cry: --> Here are the symptoms Ive found, Iam a total newbie to bikes so I can only describe what I can see and hear: 1) When I press and hold on the start button, the all the lights on bike starts to dim and eventually blacks out before the engine starts up 2) When I tried to start it again, it just makes a buzzing noise near where the rear brake lever is located Iam guessing that it is a flat battery but I have no idea beyond that. Any help will be much appreciated, thanks!
so are you able to get the bike started at all? You said that all blacks out before it starts, but I wasn't sure if that meant it actually started or not. Battery is one possible issue. Do you have a multimeter (so you can check if the battery is holding charge - should be somewhere around 12V)? Do you have a battery charger? That is the most probable cause... Having a fuse blown is another possible issue... A battery will cost around $70 to replace. If the battery seems new then you may want to trouble shoot a bit more. If it looks old then it is a good time to replace it... You may also want to take out the battery and along the side there will be a line marking where the fluid level should be inside the battery - are the fluids above this line? If not, remove the rubber strip from the top and top up with some water (supposed to use distilled water, but I never have...). This can cause batteries to loose their charge quickly. The lights will dim when pressing the start button - that is normal. They shouldn't go completely black though...
oh - and welcome to the site! Let us know you you get on! (and of course if any one else has other ideas, or disagrees with anything I said, please add them - always willing to learn something new!)
I agree with boz, it really does sound like a battery problem, my battery died and all i could hear while starting it was buzzing sounds, changed battery and it started up no problems
The buzzing noise near the brake lever is normal, just the exup valve resetting. It will open and close each time you turn the bike on.
Thanks for the input guys. I managed to take out the battery this morning and tested it. It has a DC reading of 11.64 V and there is sticker on the side saying it was sold during 10/04 which I assume that the battery was changed not so long ago, it looked new to me too, no leaks or anything. Also, I noticed that the fluid level is about 40% between the upper and lower level lines. Is this normal? To Boz: It didnt start up, I just held on the button till it would start up but before it did the started to dim and then faded out. The lights gradually came back after a few seconds when i released the start button but when i did it again i could only hear buzzing noise. Again, thanks heaps everyone!
Have you tried to push start the bike? Preferably roll down a hill in neutral, push with your feet for extra speed. Once you're going as fast as u can, chuck it into first and let out the clutch - hit the start button at the same time and it should start...
Dead battery. BUT the thing to think about is: #1 A fairly new battery. (electrical parts have no warning when they go. Who has screwed in a light bulb only to have to burn out imediatly?) #2 How much has it been ridden since: A) You got the bike. B) Since the battery was installed. #3 Is the charging system in good order. This, you will not be able to check until you have a strong battery in the bike and it is running.
The voltage should be between 12 - 13.5? 11.6 is a little on the low side. You can go down to places like supercheap and get a trickle charger for a bike battery for under $50. I have found it money well spent and if the problem with your battery is just that it is a bit run down say from lack of use, it could save you some money.
Charged the battery and it works! Now for a long awaited ride! <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s --> I got a battery recharger. It seems that Ive flattened my battery because I stalled too many times trying to take off. Though I still have to hold on to the start button for about a minute before the engine goes but I havent ridden for a week so maybe its takes longer for the first start?
Seems like you should check if the carbies are balanced. It shouldn’t take that long to tick over even after a week of not riding it. Try not to load the battery for too long, it can shorten its working life. Instead use it in bursts no longer than 10 seconds then let it sit for a bit before trying again.
