Battery issue or what? CBR1000RR

[yellowledbetter]

I recently tore my CBR1000RR all the way down to do a valve inspectio.  Thankfully everything was in spec, and while I had it down I also replaced spark plugs, air filters, oil, coolant, etc.  I put it all back together except for the plastic, which was being custom painted, and it fired right up without any issues.  It was running great in fact.  I waited three weeks to get the plastic back, then put all of the plastic back on the bike.  Now the bike won't start.  Sheesh!

I made no mechanical changes whatsoever, just put the plastic back on, and now it will not start.  Here’s the deal:

It turned over relentlessly, and would begin to barely run, more like it wanted to run, but as soon as I barely gave it any gas it would die.  Then, eventually, I wore the battery down.  I tried jumping it yesterday, and it seemed to turn over fine, but would not start.  I added 1 gallon of fresh gasoline just to make sure it was not out of gas.  Here are my guesses, any ideas if I am on the right path or completely off the mark?

1) My first guess is that the battery has lost sufficient charge to crank the engine with enough amperage.  I thought jump starting should work fine, and it seems to turn over endlessly when jump starting.  The only clue that leaves me questioning though is that I tried to honk the horn while hooked up to jumper cables, and it did not work.  It just emitted a short “bonk” sound.  I inverted the horn wires to make sure, and same result.  All lights work fine when hooked to jumpers.  Is it possible the battery is just shot and jumping is not working?

2)  Fuel:  I wonder if there is a fuel problem.  Initially I thought it might be flooded, but then thought maybe it was not getting gas.  That’s when I added the additional 1 gallon.  I thought maybe something was kinked, like a fuel line or vacuum hose, but remember that the entire fuel system was reassembled up through the tank when it was running, so not sure what would have caused a change.

3)  Spark:  I put new plugs in the bike before re-assembling.  Again, it was running great, and not sure what would cause it, but wonder if maybe something fouled the plugs somehow?

Any other thoughts?

[kevin_stevens]

If it turns over readily, it isn't the battery.  However, enough juice to crank the bike should produce a fairly healthy horn.  I would check for ground wire issues (the starter is grounded separately).  If the main wiring and ECU isn't grounding, you may be cranking the engine with no ECU or injector activity.

KeS

[yellowledbetter]

Thanks.  The only thing I would have touched that may tie into what you are saying is I unplugged the main plug from on the upper cowel that controls the headlights, speedometer, etc.  Maybe I didn't get it connected as well as i thought after I replaced the upper cowell.  I'll take another look at that ans see if it makes a difference.

[TuffguyF4i]

That big black connector that runs up the left side of your bike (if same as my F4i) can prevent the bike from starting.  I had corrosion on one terminal and the bike would not fire.

[black hills]

DOuble check all the connections, most likely didn't get something plugged back together completely. Also check the battery connections, mine acted the same way when the ground wire was loose. good luck.

[yellowledbetter]

Well, that did not work.  I un-plugged the only plug I had tampered with since the bike was running and replugged it, but that did not work.

Basic question:  Is it possible to have a bike hooked up to jumper cables, hear the engine turning over with the lights on , etc., an dit still not be getting enough juice to crank the engine fast enough to start it?  Just coming back to the battery issue.  Seems like if it is turning over then probably not the issue, but again that horn thing is what is throwing me for a loop.  Thoughts?

[kevin_stevens]

Well, that did not work.  I un-plugged the only plug I had tampered with since the bike was running and replugged it, but that did not work.

Basic question:  Is it possible to have a bike hooked up to jumper cables, hear the engine turning over with the lights on , etc., an dit still not be getting enough juice to crank the engine fast enough to start it?  Just coming back to the battery issue.

No.

KeS

[yellowledbetter]

OK, just weird.  The horn is powered through the same source as the lights and blinker, and they all work fine, so I'm hesitant to give that factoid too much credence.  I am wondering if I somehow kinked a fuel line or something, so I guess I'll start by pulling the tank back up since that's easiest.

[Mountaintime]

Sometimes my bike will crank but not fire after sitting for a couple of days, or after washing it. Or if I start it, let it run for a minute but not ride it. It'll crank fine and sporadically fire 1 cyl but not start.

The cure is to roll the throttle wide open and crank it. After a few seconds of sputtering it'll run fine. I think the injectors bleed off and need to be purged of air. And only WFO sends the right signal to the ecu to open the injectors long enough for the air to be purged.

[yellowledbetter]

Thanks to everyone.  The culprit turned out to be a kinked fuel line.  I realized that when I ran it the first time I had not yet bolted down the tank.  After bolting everything down I don't think I started it again until after I put all of the plastic on, which is when I discovered there was a problem.

Tonight I pulled the tank back up and jumped it.  It fired right up, just like a Honda.  Doh!

[kevin_stevens]

 

KeS