Falco sprag gear gone? (Video)

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Carlos Von Brum · #1 Post by **Carlos Von Brum** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:38 pm

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

Nooj · #2 Post by **Nooj** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:23 pm

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

Aladinsaneuk · #3 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:00 pm

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

davebms · #4 Post by **davebms** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:05 pm

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

BikerGran · #5 Post by **BikerGran** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:34 pm

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!

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:17 am

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.

Carlos Von Brum · #7 Post by **Carlos Von Brum** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:32 am

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.

back_marker · #8 Post by **back_marker** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:32 pm

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...

Samray · #9 Post by **Samray** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:39 pm

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.

#10 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:28 pm

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...

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:58 pm

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.

Carlos Von Brum · #12 Post by **Carlos Von Brum** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:49 am

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.

Falconihlist · #13 Post by **Falconihlist** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:09 pm

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.

Carlos Von Brum · #14 Post by **Carlos Von Brum** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:55 pm

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!

#15 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:00 pm

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...

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Falco sprag gear gone? (Video)

Falco sprag gear gone? (Video)

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