Starting problem

Right, here's hoping that this is a common and easily solved problem.

9 times out of 10 when I press the ignition switch with the clutch in and out of gear nothing will happen. I nearly always have to hop on the bike and move it back and forward a yard or two whilst tapping the ignition switch repeatedly and eventually it will start. It has been like this since I bought it, just starting to annoy me now lol.

Makes no difference whether the side stand is up or down, Any ideas? Thanks.

[Sid Squid]

If tapping the ignition switch makes it work then the problem is likely to be the ignition switch.

Thanks Sid but on most occassions I can press the ignition switch all day and nothing will happen. I have to move the bike forward and back a few yards repeatedly whilst pressing the ignition switch repeatedly until it randomly jumps into life. Without moving bike forward/back it wont start.
Today it really ****ed me off! Outside the chippy moving forward and back on the bike about 5 times covering about half a mile... Must of looked like a right tit LOL - 'Tis embarrassing!

You need to break it down into sements, start disabling the various safety cut outs one by one. Do you need a wiring diagram, ill post it up.

Originally Posted by beabert

You need to break it down into sements, start disabling the various safety cut outs one by one. Do you need a wiring diagram, ill post it up.

Looks like I have one in my haynes manual, thanks though mate! I will have a good go at it tomorrow after work.

Just thought I would post incase it was a common/obvious problem, call me lazy if you want...

i wouldnt even go out on it incase it wouldnt start all all lol.

lol nah it always starts eventually! It's more of a nuisance than a problem really.

hi mine has trouble starting too but i have cleaned the starter switch all fine, then i took the side stand off and cleaned it that is working as it stalles the bike when u select a gear with the stand down. I can only suggest the connecter block behind the front lights, mine had signs of corrosion on it i cleaned it up been ok so far hope it helps, ps the lights also used to flicker thats all sorted now too.

Thanks for your help and suggestions. It turned out to be the clutch switch, to test it I just bridged it with a bit of wire. Tried cleaning the contacts but no luck, so will just buy a new switch as they're only a few quid.

Chances are it will be a dirty connector block on the power feed to the starter button if the ignition is working uninterupted but the starter will not turn, try shaking the bike/moving the handlebars lots it should achieve the same results as I imagine rolling the bike forward and backward is just aggitating the wires causing a proper connection to be made. (+1 for checking the safety cut-offs and their respective wiring also as they are probably designed to fail safe i.e. if they fail or wiring fails it will cause the bike to stop.