Motorcycle problem

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Thu, 18 Oct 2012 7:40 am

I had an issue last night after a heavy rain storm as the bike would not start...eventually flattened the battery and had to get a jump start from a car...
Any ideas if the heavy rain dampened things/plugs etc...maybe best to cover up or spray with WD40 to remove the water?

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:05 am

What kind of bike?

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 6:54 am

BMW F650

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 8:03 am

That's the single thumper, yes?

offshoreoildude · Post by **offshoreoildude** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 9:34 am

Check the battery connections for corrosion. Singaporebikes.com has a good forum but have a look for a specific BMW bike forum and post on that.

Post by **x9200** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:45 am

bluenose wrote:I had an issue last night after a heavy rain storm as the bike would not start...eventually flattened the battery and had to get a jump start from a car...
Any ideas if the heavy rain dampened things/plugs etc...maybe best to cover up or spray with WD40 to remove the water?

I believe it should not happen and is pretty bike specific. I have never problems with my piaggio with starting after heavy rain (I keep it outside when at work) but I had lots of problems with the headlight relay being flooded and corroded so eventually I put it in a zip-bag and problem was solved. Again, motorbike and problem specific.

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:20 pm

Thanks for the help....yes it is single thumper....
I have a cover at last....many years too late.....will look at the bike forum and see what they reckon....

bgd · Post by **bgd** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:54 pm

I had one of those years ago, no end of electrical problems. Might have improved over time.

No real ideas but if it was turning over and not starting check (or perhaps WD40) the kill switch and the sidestand cut out. Might just be loose or wet connections.

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Fri, 19 Oct 2012 2:41 pm

It's probably not the plug, but if the plug wire is old or the coil is old, moisture could affect the spark current/voltage.

Also, for many bikes, a weak battery may turn the engine over but does not generate sufficient voltage to create the spark... my Valk will turn over with one dead cell in the battery but never start.

If it is now starting OK, I'd lean towards a combo of old plug wires and an old battery that is on the verge of giving up.

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