First of all, Merry Christmas to everyone. Hope Santa left you more than the bill!
Now, my problem. I know it is just about impossible to diagnose an engine problem over the internet, but I am just hoping you guys can at least give me a place to start trying to figure out my problem. Bottom line is my VMax will not start? now here is the back ground:
I have not ridden the bike much over the past four months with long periods of sitting (up to 4 to 6 weeks without riding). About 6 weeks ago, I decided to ?stretch it out?. I fired it up (running rough) and went to the gas station and filled it up. After riding about 10 miles, it seemed to be running OK. It sat again for about 2 weeks when I decided to ride again. This time, it ran really rough. I rode it about 60 miles but was never able to fully take the choke off as it would bog out when you hit the throttle. Three days ago, decided to fire it up and was able to get it to crank initially but it soon died and would not start again. Since the battery seemed low, I have had it on a trickle charge for the past three days and tried to start it again today with no luck.
Here are the facts:
Most of the time I try to keep either Sta-Bil or Sea Foam in the tank.
The bike is stock except for a K&N filter.
It is a 1998 model with about 15k miles on it.
I pulled the plugs today and 3 out of 4 were oily (a different problem?).
Finally, the starter is starting to fall out of engagement very regularly. When I try to crank it, half the time the starter just ?whirrrs? and the other half of the time it turns over a few times then falls out of gear and ?whirrrs?. (A starter problem or a battery/voltage problem?)
My question is where do I start to diagnose the problem before I take it to the dealer and tell them to rape me?
Thanks for any advice.
Now, my problem. I know it is just about impossible to diagnose an engine problem over the internet, but I am just hoping you guys can at least give me a place to start trying to figure out my problem. Bottom line is my VMax will not start? now here is the back ground:
I have not ridden the bike much over the past four months with long periods of sitting (up to 4 to 6 weeks without riding). About 6 weeks ago, I decided to ?stretch it out?. I fired it up (running rough) and went to the gas station and filled it up. After riding about 10 miles, it seemed to be running OK. It sat again for about 2 weeks when I decided to ride again. This time, it ran really rough. I rode it about 60 miles but was never able to fully take the choke off as it would bog out when you hit the throttle. Three days ago, decided to fire it up and was able to get it to crank initially but it soon died and would not start again. Since the battery seemed low, I have had it on a trickle charge for the past three days and tried to start it again today with no luck.
Here are the facts:
Most of the time I try to keep either Sta-Bil or Sea Foam in the tank.
The bike is stock except for a K&N filter.
It is a 1998 model with about 15k miles on it.
I pulled the plugs today and 3 out of 4 were oily (a different problem?).
Finally, the starter is starting to fall out of engagement very regularly. When I try to crank it, half the time the starter just ?whirrrs? and the other half of the time it turns over a few times then falls out of gear and ?whirrrs?. (A starter problem or a battery/voltage problem?)
My question is where do I start to diagnose the problem before I take it to the dealer and tell them to rape me?
Thanks for any advice.
unk: ..
