'06 Black Cat. will not start

big_c · Post by **big_c** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:50 pm

It's been cold here the past few weeks and i've had no trouble getting it started. Usually the electric start would work, but good 'ol reliable kick starter worked well too. This morning the electric wouldn't "turn over" and the kick starter didn't work either. No "click-click" either when attempting an electric start. It was relatively warm outside (40 degrees F). I made certain to limit my use of the electric starter this morning so as to not drain the battery.

The battery appears fine; the gas gauge level worked. I bought some more gas today (in a 1-gallon container) and a new spark plug is also on my shopping list, but since the engine didn't "turn over" I suspect the problem to be more problematic than a dead spark plug or no gas.

Been reading around and something called a magneto or something like that has a modest history of failure. No clue as to what that thing is, but am i thinking the right way ?

bakaracer · Post by **bakaracer** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:39 am

if the bike has been sitting over a week without starting it the carb bowl starts to evaporate gas and it goes low or it goes completely empty.just keep kicking it and give the bowl some time to fill up with gas.a quick way is to take the airbox off and cover the carb opening with your hand and turn it over till you feel gas on your hand.thats when you know that the bowl is full.

big_c · Post by **big_c** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:19 am

it was only sitting overnight

bakaracer · Post by **bakaracer** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:13 am

your on off switch on the handle bar ,does it feel solid or a bit mushy?

big_c · Post by **big_c** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:58 pm

bakaracer wrote:your on off switch on the handle bar ,does it feel solid or a bit mushy?

you have solved my problem. thanks a lot !!

in your reply you mention the on off switch on the handle bar . Well, my scooter does not have an on off switch on the handlebar.

However, I thought about it for a minute. What could bakaracer possibly be thinking of....what kind of scooter does he have ?? He shows a scooter parts web site in his URL in his profile so he must be thinking of something at least partially on target here....

then it struck me.

I've had a Vento Triton in the past as well as a Honda CB250 and a Kawasaki ZR-7S. I recalled on one occasion when I was riding my ZR-7S out in the boonies and stopped for a bite to eat. When I exited the restaurant and attempted to start up the motorcycle, it wouldn't start. I tried and tried. Eventually, I had to call my dad 60 miles away to come and pick me up, and take me home and I'd leave the motorcycle locked up overnight and worry about the problem the next day. So many things went through my head -- how much is this going to cost ?? How will I get around while it's in the repair shop ? What a terrible mess. When my dad got there to pick me up, he looked at the motorcycle and fiddled with a few things. "Been there, done that", was my thinking. Nevertheless, he was persistent. Eventually he took a look at the handlebar and asked, "what's this?" . Why, "it's a kill switch" I say. Oh. Click. And of course, off we went. Somehow, it got flipped in the kill position. What an idiot !!!

Same problem here. After reading your post, I checked that "on off switch" (LOL), flipped it and started up the scooter (D'Oh).

I'll add that gas to the tank that I bought yesterday and buy a couple spark plugs today.

So, thanks again for your help. Obviously I was being too narrow-minded in my thinking and just needed a different perspective !

bakaracer · Post by **bakaracer** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:48 pm

great glad to help.enjoy riding and ride safe.