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Hi

Darn Falco decided not to start the other day at work. After a lot of attempts it fired up pretty normaly and got me home.
Now she won't start at all. Could it be the infamous sprag gear?

Video
http://youtu.be/8zauQLu5eU4

I've pretty much fallen out of love with this bike at the moment

Never heard a knackered sprag, so couldn't say. If you go through it's history, there's a receipt for a replacement sprag fitting in there, can't remember when it was done though, before we had it

IMHO - I am not sure but I think I would start by doing all the normal non start checks - that does not sound mechanical to me, more electric

i dont think thats the sprag ,it sounds like its turning the engine over
but not fireing . poss you could remove a rear plug see if it chuffs out air

dave

I know nothing about Falcos but if it's turning over but not starting I'd look at fuel first - I always believe in starting simple!

Never had a sprag go myself ... but as others have said, it's turning the engine over so it's not your sprag.

Fairly short squirts on the starter button too - you're not really giving it much of a chance to fire up considering it's not cooperating.

Try it a bit longer .... then if it still doesn't go, we can start going through the potential things that might stop it.

trust me. Plenty of good long squirts.

Good point about the engine turning, but don't people say it makes an awful noise as it's on its way out? Looks like I have myself an engine dissasemble to find out. Wish I had the bucks to just throw a Griff at it...

Sick of the damn thing. If anyone wants it, make a sensible offer and it's yours.

davebms wrote:i dont think thats the sprag ,it sounds like its turning the engine over
but not fireing . poss you could remove a rear plug see if it chuffs out air

dave

Ummmm, don't just remove one plug. Just remoember that each pot has two plugs and that if you only remove one and it does fire...

back_marker wrote:
Ummmm, don't just remove one plug. Just remoember that each pot has two plugs and that if you only remove one and it does fire...

Spoilsport! I was gonna ask Carlos to video that too.

Things never sound the same on youtube vids.. although the jist is there..

Im inclined to say its an electrical or fuel problem.

check leads and connections, including everything attached to the TB's

failing that you're looking at the nause of pulling the plugs and checking them.. keep them separate front 'n rear and check plug colour for possible problems and spin it over to check she's spitting..

Cant really distinguish the 'horrible sound' but it could be somethign mechanical on its way out.. dont think the sprag though, although youll probably find it will manifest itself as a problem if you're turning it over lots and short bursts.. ..that and the battery...

Various extracts workshop manual:












Of course, how to check the components themselves is all detailed in the workshop manual.

I expect you've already been through the manual but maybe reviewing these things might help.

Guys, thanks so much for your help. This was just one thing after a million others since a 10 year relationship breakdown a few months back. I was ready to chuck the bitch (the bike, not the ex) into a canal.

Feeling much more positive now. At least it's happened this time of year when I'm not missing the sunshine eh? I gues I'll be getting to grips with it next week - I'm moving into a right fixer upper of a flat which needs a LOT of work.

Once I've found the problem and fixed it, I'll be in touch....
FYI battery reads 12.7v which is healthy... so I'll be moving straight on to the spark plugs and safety systems - the N, stand & clutch swiches etc.

Cheers again chaps.

I had this happen last year, and did what everyone advises NOT to, and opened up the throttle a touch. It eventually fired up. Happened again the following week, and ended up jump starting it off a car, and had a serious session on the optimate. Been fine ever since.

Sorry about the long pause - I've been very busy.

The Falco has started perfectly each time for a while now. The cure? I have no idea- I've taken the rear tupperware off and fiddled with wires, ACR50'd here and there, and she's back to working like a charm! So at this point I'm putting it down to either a loose earth or other dodgy wireing. Phew!

I reckon the Falco was simply behaving like any woman would when your attention was elsewhere - throwing a hissy fit to get your undivided attention. You've been giving it some attention and things are now OK again...

But then, it could be something electrical...