Yay Spring!!! Damn FJR won't start!!!

[RadioHowie]

Just something else to think about while you're out there with the bike... Did you use any fuel stabilizer or have you filled the tank with fresh gas since you put the bike up for the winter...?
Tek

Here's another thing to think about...did you winterize your bike with a full tank of fuel? Or park it mostly empty, which allowed the tank interior tor rust, plugging up the inlet screen on the fuel pump with "red death"?

Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Geezer]

A couple of comments about the above advice:

1) As someone suggested above, turn the key on, let the fuel pump run until it stops, and then off. Do this a few times to cycle the fuel from the tank through the fuel rail. This only works on the Gen 1 bikes. I cycle the fuel pump about once a week while the bike is in winter storage.

2) If you run the starter long enough to run a fully charged battery down, you probably want to give it a rest before you run that starter again. Rather than using a booster or jump start, it's safer to put the battery on a slow charge and try again after it has fullly charged up. That's when you try the wide open throttle technique.

If you smell gas coming out of the exhaust then you may need to remove the plugs. If they are wet then new ones are a good idea.

 

[Mike-H]

Hey Gypsy....maybe it's time to get a new one :blink: .....or use fuel stabilizer in future storage sessions.....

 

[gypsy]

Hey Gypsy....maybe it's time to get a new one :blink: .....or use fuel stabilizer in future storage sessions.....

I topped up the tank and put in fuel stabilizer in the Fall. Not all of us are semi-retarded...retired and have time to keep playing in the garage all winter.

 

[mcatrophy]

... Not all of us are semi-retarded...retired and have time to keep playing in the garage all winter.

Curiously, those of us who are semi-retired (and possibly three-quarters retarded) seem to have even less time to play. All those YDWIR* jobs that she's not forgotten about over the last few years.

Hope you get it started OK, and get some good rides in.

*Yes, dear, when I retire.

 

[Mike-H]

... Not all of us are semi-retarded...retired and have time to keep playing in the garage all winter.

Curiously, those of us who are semi-retired (and possibly three-quarters retarded) seem to have even less time to play. All those YDWIR* jobs that she's not forgotten about over the last few years.

Hope you get it started OK, and get some good rides in.

*Yes, dear, when I retire.

:good: :grin:

 

[C&C]

Been waiting for the OP to let us know how he made out; how long does it take to try the WOT technique(rhetorical question). Just curious as to whether he got going or not.

 

[racer]

Gypsy, Unfortunately, this seems to be the nature of the beast. Same thing happened to my 04 after sitting in the garage all winter, for about three or four months. I tried everything. I finally put in new plugs and new battery, and it still would not start like it should. Eventually, the wide open throttle got the bike to fire off, intermittantly at first, then ran and started fine afterwards. My own conclusion is that the FJR does not like to sit without running for long periods of time.

Since then, I make a point of getting it out at least once a month in winter. Since I've done this, I've not a had a problem. I think you'll find lots of other owners have had this same experience.

Good luck

 

[wel1123]

Mine is quick to flood with cold ambient temperature and a slightly discharged battery from sitting. Heater blowing on the motor for a while, battery charger, and wide open throttle will get er dun!

 

[gypsy]

Well I finally had time to go out in the garage last night after all the kids were in bed and get it started. This is the 5th Spring I have had the FJR and this was the hardest starting. The second winter cost me a battery but when I put the new one in it started right up. Coincidentally (or maybe not) that was the only winter I put the battery on a tender. Last two seasons start up was on the first crank.

Anyway after more cranking than I wanted I finally put booster cables on it from my portable power (https://www.backup-power.ca/catalog/item/2509621/1956951.htm). A couple more cranks and away we went. I let it run for a while and went for a ride around the block so hopefully that loosened things up. I put the charger on my battery before putting it back to bed so should be strong again today.

I just turned over 50,000 km so I have to take in it for a service. I suspect it is a major one. Unfortunately the dealer I prefer is 2.5 hours away and I will have to leave the bike. Given this I have to plan to take it to the shop. Anyone know how I can tow my Monster behind my FJR so I have something to ride back?

Thanks for the helpful posts (and the others)

gypsy

 

[Patriot]

this can give an atomic engine member a fookin' heart attack...

guess the good news is the problem happened in the garage testing that all my lights work

when the CCT gave up last friggin' June...it was in the garage testing lights that are wired to only go on with the engine running

freakin' YIKES

ran the battery down...put spare battery in parallel...spun spun hickup spun somemore sputter sputter...nothing at WFO...sputtered at crack of throttle

locked that magic 10 degrees of throttle with throttlemeister...went inside to the freezer and began to throw dead chicken parts over the tank

hit the starter and pop pop pop fart fart fart vroom...ran like poop for 30 seconds and then OK at 2k rpm, finally idles normally

woooooooooooooooo baby...

that was a first and hopefully the last...tender humming to top off battery...I'm assisting in a Vietnam Vet's funeral tomorrow about 45 miles away

hope all is well...'pecially the battery...datel seems normal while running and at rest, but we'll see