Sometimes the motorcycle simply refuses to start when you turn the key - most often this happens when cold weather sets in or after a long period of parking. Beginners in such a situation often begin to panic, but experienced bikers first check the condition of the vehicle, and then use one of the backup methods of starting the engine. Everyone should know about them, since any equipment is prone to breakdowns and may refuse to start at the least opportune moment. Understanding how to start a motorcycle in an emergency will at least help you get to a specialized service center where you can repair your two-wheeled vehicle.
Preliminary diagnosis
Before using one of the methods for starting the engine in an unusual situation, you should check the serviceability of the motorcycle. The main thing is to check whether there is gasoline in the tank, since the fuel consumption of two-wheeled vehicles can vary greatly depending on the riding style and some bikers do not have time to monitor the availability of fuel. It is useless to look at the sensor, since it often malfunctions. The best way is to unscrew the tank cap and look inside to make sure there is fuel.
To start a motorcycle after a long period of inactivity, you need to make sure that fuel can reach the engine. The fuel system pipes must be in place, the carburetor caps must be closed, and the fuel tap must be open. The ignition must be turned on, since the engine will not be able to start without firing the spark plug. Also remember if there have been any symptoms of engine failure recently - strange knocking noises at high speeds, a sudden stop in fuel supply, and others.
Before starting the engine, perform one more small check:
- The footrest must be raised;
- The key is turned to the working position;
- Neutral gear must be selected.
If everything is normal, you can begin the procedure. Try not to lose control of the motorcycle while starting the engine, as this often leads to disastrous consequences.
How to start a moped (or scooter) without an ignition key: 7 different ways
A person who has just bought a moped does not know how to start this equipment in other ways besides using the ignition keys. But sometimes situations happen when you have lost the keys to it, and at the same time you urgently need to go somewhere. In this article we will tell you in detail about known methods of starting the engine without a key.
A little effort
The classic way to start the engine when there is no battery charge is with a pusher. It is used by bikers of all ages and nationalities as this method is effective for all manual transmission motorcycles. Unfortunately, the latest technology with semi-automatic and robotic transmissions cannot be started in this way - you can only damage its expensive components.
A motorcycle with a low compression ratio or with an engine capacity of up to 350 cubic centimeters can be started from a pushrod yourself. But modern Japanese sportbikes or choppers with huge engines will require a lot of effort - so you will have to find an assistant. If you are in a remote area where you cannot expect help, try to find a slope at least 100 meters long - this will make solving the problem much easier.
The motorcycle will need to be accelerated to approximately 10–12 km/h, that is, jogging speed. Before starting acceleration, squeeze the clutch lever and select second gear - starting in it is noticeably easier than in a lower gear. The only exceptions are Kawasaki motorcycles - their owners are recommended to engage first gear when starting from a pusher. When the desired speed is reached, carefully release the lever and wait for the corresponding sounds from the engine.
If the engine does not start, it is best to stop and rest for a few minutes before trying again. After four or five times, you should come to terms with the fact that your equipment is faulty and needs the help of a professional mechanic. If you succeed in starting the engine, you need to squeeze the clutch lever again so that the motorcycle does not drive away from you on its own. Stop and rev up - this will help stabilize the fuel supply and also recharge the battery, which will take about half an hour. If you are trying to start a motorcycle without a battery, you can go in search of a new battery after a couple of minutes, since there is not much point in long-term revving.
Can't start your motorcycle? Let's start it together!
Can't start your motorcycle engine?
Let's start it together! We check the presence of fuel and its flow into the combustion chamber. First you need to check the presence of fuel in the gas tank. If your gas tank is not dry, then you need to check the flow of fuel from the carburetor (injector) into the combustion chamber. To do this, after several attempts to start the bike with open gas, unscrew the spark plug and look at it. If the spark plug is damp, everything is fine; if it’s dry, we disassemble the carburetor and clean it (most likely one of the jets is clogged). There is another option, which is quite rare - a vacuum forms in the gas tank due to the fact that the air valve in the tank is clogged.
We turn over the engine. To do this, you need to crank the crankshaft using either an electric starter or a kick starter. If you can’t turn the crankshaft, the engine is jammed. It is necessary to disassemble the engine and find out the cause (broken valves, piston wedge, etc.). If you can turn the crankshaft, move on.
Checking the spark. First, of course, you need to check the battery charge (if there is one), however, if the starter does not respond to pressing the button, the reason is obvious. To check the spark, you need to unscrew the spark plug, insert it into the armored wire cap, and place the back side (which goes into the combustion chamber) against a metal part of your bike. Then crank it with a starter (kick or electric). When the starter starts, a spark should appear on the spark plug. If a spark does not appear, the reasons are the following: a discharged battery, a blown fuse (if any), a broken wire, a problem with the ignition coil, a malfunction of the spark plugs themselves, or problems with the switch. In addition to this, the spark plugs can indicate the following malfunctions:
Problems with the starter. These problems are observed when the starter turns the engine, but makes strange sounds (crackling) or cranks “empty” - in this case, it is necessary to repair the starter. This repair is not expensive and can be performed by almost any auto electrician.
Poorly adjusted valves. This reason is more difficult to trace. Previously, a clattering noise and difficulty starting “hot” could appear in the Motor. Adjusting valves on a motorcycle is not a complicated or expensive procedure.
Ignition settings. There are also not many symptoms for this cause, but it also appears quite rarely. If the previous steps did not help, we get into the ignition. The ignition system looks something like this:
Starting in cold weather. If you are trying to start the engine after a sudden cold snap without first adjusting the carburetor, then you need to unscrew the spark plugs, warm them up on the burner or burner (if they are damp after many attempts to start the engine), pour a couple of cubes of gasoline through a syringe into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. Then we screw in the spark plugs and start it up.
We hope our tips helped you! What steps have we missed?
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Complex issue
Every motorcyclist can experience such a nuisance as losing the ignition key. It is very easy to solve such a problem using domestic technology. You need to take two nails and solder them together to get a T-shaped handle. The base should be flattened with a hammer or a vice to obtain a thin, wide plate. All that remains is to insert it into the lock to start the two-wheeled vehicle without a key.
However, the problem may not be the loss of the key, but the breakdown of the vehicle. It is necessary to completely remove the ignition switch and directly connect the wires responsible for starting the engine. Which ones exactly depend on the motorcycle model, year of manufacture, as well as the availability of tuning components. In order not to take risks over trifles, review the instructions for the motorcycle in advance and look through the pages of specialized forums on the Internet. Be careful - if you accidentally connect the wrong wires, you will have to change the fuse, which will probably blow.
It is also possible to start the vehicle using a kickstarter. You need to make sure that the wires responsible for the ignition are connected to each other, but do not touch the cable that is responsible for automatic starting. After this, the motorcycle starts with a strong blow to the kickstarter pedal - usually 3-5 attempts are enough to get results. However, this option is only suitable for small-capacity vehicles - on motorcycles with an engine capacity of more than 250 cubic centimeters, there is usually no kickstarter.
If you need to start without an ignition switch on modern technology, it is better to go straight to a specialized workshop, since you will have to deal with the electronic immobilizer. However, it is possible to start such a motorcycle, although you will need a special device - an immobilizer bypass. It is installed under the ignition switch or instead of it, depending on the model of the device and the motorcycle. The electronics are turned off, and your only task is to choose the right wires to connect.
We start the scooter if it stalls on the way
How to start a scooter if the battery fails on the road and the moped does not move? A minimal set of available tools and a small rope can provide a valuable service. We get to the treasured fan again, wind the rope from left to right - so that its end comes out through the exhaust pipe, which is located below.
Now turn the ignition and, with the moped running, begin to pull the rope. The engine will start to turn over, and if your moped has compression, fuel supply and ignition in order, it will start at half a turn.
Winter way
Not all owners of two-wheeled vehicles refuse to drive them in the cold season. However, starting an engine with a high compression ratio becomes a real pain at low ambient temperatures. Therefore, experienced motorcyclists advise using a method that has been proven for decades.
To understand how to properly start a motorcycle in winter, you need to choose the appropriate chemical. It is most often sold under the name “Starting Ether” or “Starting Fluid”. The liquid is supplied in spray cans, which make it easier to get it into the desired area of the fuel system. It should be applied directly to the surface of the filter element - it can be located next to the carburetor or under the motorcycle tank. It is not necessary to tighten all the bolts after the first attempt, since this may not be the only one.
After applying ether to the fuel filter, try to start it normally, using the starter, or by accelerating the motorcycle yourself and putting it in gear. To start the engine, you will need 2-3 attempts - if the engine does not show signs of life after the third time, it can be considered faulty with a 99% probability. Be very careful - you are allowed to use ether 1-2 times during the winter season, since its use accelerates engine wear several times. It is much better to pre-warm the motorcycle in a warm garage, starting it at normal fuel and metal components temperature.
If you need to start the motorcycle after a long period of inactivity, you should first drain the gasoline and wash the carburetors. On vehicles with electronic injection control, it is also recommended to clean the injectors, since they may contain remnants of a mixture that has long since become non-flammable. To prevent this from happening, before storing it, you should fill the tank with a special liquid, which is called a fuel stabilizer. Be extremely careful, since a regular bottle is enough for 1-3 full car tanks, and excessive concentration of such a chemical compound in fuel can lead to motorcycle engine damage. It is also worth removing the battery before winter storage, storing it in a warm place and recharging it every 2-3 weeks, so that later the motorcycle has enough charge to start the engine using the starter.
Choosing the right method
You can start a motorcycle using various methods, but it is worth remembering that all of them, from starting at speed to using starting ether, harm the engine. If we talk about removing the ignition switch and independently connecting the wires to each other, then in this case there is a very high probability of a short circuit with dire consequences for electrical and electronics. Therefore, you should first find out if there are other options, for example, recharging the battery, taking a spare key, or contacting a specialized workshop. It is also not recommended to install various devices that bypass the motorcycle security system or move wires outside. If you can use them, then the motorcycle will be easily stolen by criminals who always target such easy prey.
Check the technical condition!
The motorcycle has started and you want to go? Wait! Check the chain tension and lubricate it. Apply the brakes and see if the handle and lever are soft - this may indicate aeration. The best thing to do is change the brake fluid! How to do it? More on this later. In any case, it is worth it - the costs are very low, and you will be sure that there will be no water in the fluid and you will not “float” with the prepared brakes. Check if there are any suspicious greasy marks on the joists. If so, this indicates that the sealants are worn out. Don't underestimate this, the oil from the lags will flow very quickly through the hanger pipe directly to the brake calipers and therefore it will have a short path to the pads and rotors. You might be surprised.
