bike won't start

[andyturner87]

So i think my battery is pretty old and dead, giving me the same ticking over issues as a car, like just not engaging or turning over, and doing it less and less the more i tried, so i hooked it up to my car to jump it, it seemed to try to turn over more but still not enough to start. what's happening here?

 

[Rob S.]

One other method: the "bump" start.

Ignition on, in neutral, get her rolling down a hill (level ground if you've got a couple of buddies), hop on and pop her into gear. If it's just your starter not turning with enough oomph, that should do it. Motorcycles and cars of a certain age.

"...pop her into gear." - which gear? That opens up a whole new thread of opinions. Some go high, I go low (first), but I think any gear can work.

Good luck! :snowman:

 

[Steve]

..., so i hooked it up to my car to jump it, ...

Hopefully you did that with the car NOT running. :-k

If the starter is turning sluggishly while connected to the car battery (NOT running), the starter might need some refreshing.

And, ... it would be REAL handy to know whether we are discussing your BSA or your Zundapp.

.

 

[andyturner87]

I didn't know I could bump start the thing like a car! I will try that when I get some people over.
What is zundapp or bsa?
And how might I refresh my start motor?

 

[andyturner87]

Update: got it going after another jump start from car and wiping the spark plug with kitchen roll. It then stalled after a few minutes of running.
Will replace the spark tomorrow and give it a long ride to it's MOT.
My guess is as it had been sat for months the battery had let go a bit and my short test runs drained it. I guess I then flooded it trying to start it up and ruined the spark plug

 

[Steve]

What is zundapp or bsa?

BSA Motorcycles ( click link)

Zundapp motorcycles ( click link)

This is why we ask what bike you are working on and even ask to put it in your signature.
Thanks for doing that. :encouragement:

.