Like so many others... suddenly won't start

I bought my 81 xj650 about 2 months ago and LOVE it. She os my first ride and we've been doing wonders exploring Boston.

When I got her inspected, they said she was in surprisingly great shape, noted some after market pods, but said everything was in working order. They were right, until yesterday morning.

I tossed her into neutral, hit the engine switch, engaged the choke, pushed the starter... four tryies to start and it stops. Hit it again, 3 times... and nothing.

Then, what gets me a bit more concerned, on the third time (supposedly a charm), nothing.

I whimper (inside of course) go upstairs, read through the manual, go back down and try again... same dilemna. First time, 4 tries, then 3... then it acts dead.

So after leaving it alone (I did it again this morning, same
thing), it at least TRIES to turn over... but after three attempts, it goes back unconscious.

oil seem ok, there IS gas in the tank (I have it on the "res" mark.. center as the manual stated) sparks plugs are beautiful and I believe new (they are FAR too clean not to be)...

Any ideas? I miss riding her already!

 

After some more reading, I'll give the fuel line / sparks a check

 

How much gas is in the tank? Mine wont start once it gets very far under a quarter tank, and then only when it's on PRI. Maybe try starting it with the fuel valve in different positions, from what I understand they get clogged pretty easily.

 

Oh? I'll give that a shot too!!

She's almost full now.. maybe 80%.


Thanks!

 

This sounds quite identical to the problem i'm having... how old is the battery? Is your battery going dead as you try to start? Are your carbs clean? Do you have a fuel filtter?

 

Ditto on the battery, is it fully charged?

 

Thanks for the thoughts all!

So far, I Just removed the battery and put her on a charger. The battery was low. The sparks looked fine, but are NOT. Never judge a book by its cover...

I will let you know tomorrow after I am done doing the small maintenance and seeing how it all goes!

such a learning experience!

 

Ya, these bikes don't like to fire off unless the battery is tip-top.

 

If they are not new and/or you've ridden the bike with them they should be turning tan/brown around the insulator tip. White is lean. White with silver specks is the beginning of a sad story.

 

Get a multi-meter.
Battery should read 12.4 minimum at rest.
And 9 volts + while cranking.

 

Iwingameover... what's the white with silver specks?

 

its detonation, the silver is pieces of aluminum piston melting into the insulator.

 

Correct. Obviously not good.

 

did you ever get this figured out? Today mine decided to just do nothing when I attempted to start it up. It turns over if I jump the starter solenoid though. Not sure why the starter button is not working all of a sudden, but I want it fixed, so I can take it for a test ride.

 

Mine does the same thing from time to time. I'm thinking of replacing the 2 yr old battery as the solenoid is new last year, if nothing improves, cleaning the contacts on the ignition switch.

 

I took my start switch apart last night and the contacts just weren't making good connection. I slightly bent the on and now it works great