Hi all,

Decided to get the bike out after a few years sitting.
Changed the plugs, oil, filters, battery and fresh fuel.

I have a weird problem with the ignition though.
When I switch it on nothing appears on the dash no lights or nothing.
If I slowly turn the key in the ignition so its in-between the on and the off switch the lights come on and all the electrics work though the starter button still doesn't turn the bike over.

What kinda of problem am I looking at?
Would this be caused by dodgy plug connectors? Contact cleaner in all plugs the best bet?

Any tips I could try would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Adam

That does sound odd. Sounds like the ignition barrel to blame to me.

Combination of dodgy keyswitch (halfway on for lights, etc) and either a defect starter circuit or bad earth preventing the engine turning over.

When you hit the starter, do the lights on the dash fade/go out? If yes, check earths. If not, check starter switch, relay, fuse, etc.

I would spray some WD40 down the ignition barrel and turn the key in it a few times. See if it loosens up.

Cheers for the reply's.

I used some electrical cleaner in the ignition and switch relay which seemed to do the job nicely.
She didn't take too long to get started, a little rough but that's to be expected.

Problem now is that petrol started to pour from bottom of the bike. Had a look inside and it seems to be coming from the bottom of the carbs.

Would this be perished carb rubbers? Or maybe something else? Anyone had this problem?

Cheers

adamvfr wrote:Cheers for the reply's.

I used some electrical cleaner in the ignition and switch relay which seemed to do the job nicely.
She didn't take too long to get started, a little rough but that's to be expected.

Problem now is that petrol started to pour from bottom of the bike. Had a look inside and it seems to be coming from the bottom of the carbs.

Would this be perished carb rubbers? Or maybe something else? Anyone had this problem?

Cheers

You'll probably have to strip and clean the carbs, the old gas if left in the float bowls leaves a tar like varnish over everything.. you 'll probably find one or more of the floats arn't closing properly which is causing the carbs to overflow.

It'll also run a stack better after a good clean out :)

Ahh OK! Sound about right to me

Is there a guide anywhere on cleaning the carbs from top to bottom?

The carb float bowl drain screws could be open ? Look on the lowest point on each carb, there is a little spout with a screw next to it.

I'm not sure about the screws being open as I never opened them before.

Gunked up carbs sounds like the problem so ill remove them tomorrow and give them a good clean.

Any pointers or tips before I begin?

Dont take the rubber bits off the engine, loosen the carb off and remove it. When refitting just say a prayer first.