Pre- and Post- first lay down

Me: noob. JUST bought the bike (my first), rode it home pretty well - only 8 red light stalls over 30 miles. Now I am bummed and nervous...
Bike: 1986 Interceptor 700cc

Prob 1:
Engine squeaked after the engine kill switch

Then it happened (already)
Foolish me put it in 1st gear to turn off (since MSF class says so): clutch in, kill switch, engine still squeaking... Somehow I decided to let go of the clutch, bike went forward, I pulled on the front break, lost the bike's balance, then it got laid down on its side (medium strength... soft = on grass, hard = unassisted fall on concrete).

THEN while on its side, engine somehow still running, so I grabbed clutch and front brake, pulled the bike up, wheeled it out of my garage. At this point the engine seemed to be heating up - I might have seen smoke (this is at night) and I noticed at the front it was leaking yellow fluids (I think coolant?). After about another minute, the whole thing shut off by itself.

Prob #2:
No ignition (turn key and nothing). I'm guessing I might have problems turning the engine over too... but I can't try since I have no ignition.

Some of the many questions:
- What is the probability of having done serious damage?
- What might be preventing ignition? Tip-over switch? I've tried letting it sit for 30 minutes, swaying it side to side, bouncing on it, and turning the key a few times. Nothing.
- Other questions will surely follow after I have ignition...

Many thanks in advance...

 

Try to take a look at the side stand safty switch, it might be stuck, also might want to clean the kill switch. This is seem to be common problem.
Good luck :thumbsup:

 

Thanks for the reply!

However, it did not get laid down on that side, and shouldn't I be able to get ignition (lights and all when I turn the key) regardless if the side stand is down? I tried the side stand up and down just now as well - no lights, no luck.

After I get ignition I'll definitely look into cleaning the kill switch... It is the oddest thing - I'd flip the kill switch, engine goes from "good sound" to this squeaking sound, and as soon as I flip the switch back (within 3-5 seconds, I've never let it sit longer) and the engine is back running, without my pushing the starter button.

 

The engine is not supposed to continue running, or squeaking, when you engage the kill switch, hence it's name. The fact that yours does is an indication that something is wrong with the kill switch--so get that corrected before you do anymore damage. Once that is fixed the ignition and lights issue will likely be magically resolved also...

 

You might want to check all the connection to the battery and all the fuse.
When you said no ignition is that mean you have all the power but not crank when you turn the key or is it all blank (death)?

 

I think you need to get it to an experienced mechanic and you should probably start off with something a bit smaller for a first bike. Some people have the ability to have a big bike for a first one but most start off small and learn on a Nija 250, Rebel or such. Good luck.

 

I'm confused....lets break this down:

-Does the Bike start? Yes or No?

-When you turn the Key to the On Position do you get Dash lights and Headlight on? Yes or No?

-If Yes to above, what happens when you press the starter? Any noise? Does it crank but not fire up?

 

@Scubalong unless I am mistaken... I believe "No Ignition" means all blank/"death", as you put it my guess is that a circuit shorted, since it turned off so abruptly... But as far as I remember, coolants are non-conductive...?

@Gator I am planning on bringing it to a mechanic for a full check up anyway, especially not knowing its history and overview of its condition. but I was hoping I could at least get it there on its own two wheels the big bike thing... I realize 700 could be a bit big. But every experienced rider I have consulted tells me and gave me good reasons as to why not a 250, but at least 500-750. I am also not planning on doing dumb things with it (see YouTube and other outlets), or going on the freeway the next couple of years. Thanks though!

@kennybobby yeah I probably need to push it harder and/or wd40 it... But I'll get to that after I get out of "death" haha. Thanks

 

@slowbird
No
No
N/A

Sad face.

 

Ok. So no Start, and No Power with Key Ignition turned to On.

Next step is check the battery connections and report back. Do you need help getting to the battery or can you find it ok?

 

Perhaps get in some dirt bike riding. Lots of skills developed there. I know it helps me a lot on the track, especially when things get fast and the bike is starting to move around a bit.

 

So no power at all that mean you need to get a multimeter and start testing all the connector, start out at the battery and moving toward the ignition......etc

 

I don't think your advice is constructive. The OP is asking for help with diagnosing the problem with the bike.

He only laid the bike down. That can happen to anyone. No need to tell him he bought too large a bike or needs to take on some dirt riding. Not everyone has the chance to ride a bike on the street while also indulging in dirt and track riding.

 

- Bought new fuses. Replaced all that I could find.
- Bought a multimeter. Checked it all - circuitry seems to be all good.
- I have a battery charger already (old Odyssey needs a jump ever so often hehe). Connected the leads to the motorcycle battery leads, turned the charger on, and HOLY COW the bike wanted to turn on!!! This is while the key is in the off position. I didn't leave the battery on longer than a second. I am guess the bike won't turn since the engine kill switch is on...

Correct me where I am wrong: I am guessing the motorcycle "Start Button" simply completes the circuit to send battery power through... but that means I can virtually bypass the start button if my battery is hooked directly like this...?? However that still doesn't make sense... How can power given at the battery leads turn the bike on?!?

- SO, does this mean the drop just killed an old battery (I don't know its age)?
- And clean the kill switch so it does in fact kill the engine?

Hearing SOME reaction from my new baby made me super excited!
Btw, here is a picture of her! Isn't she purrrrrty? (Now... let's continue troubleshooting this problem... )

 

Possible damage to START button maybe ?

 

Maybe I phrased it wrong... The bike still does not turn on when I turn the key. Still no lights. I don't think this is related to the START button... but could be some sort of electronic malfunction that is causing me to get no power. I guess the next step could be possibly taking the time and inspecting the entire electronics harness to find what is stopping the key turn to give me nothing.

 

Trojan now you talking ........Good luck I hate electrical :chaingun:

 

You are getting no power because the ignition switch is not making contact when you turn the key--this is due to dirty contacts in the ignition switch. i've had this happen in several early generation bikes. Pull the 6 pin connector and check for continuity of the pins as described in the manual to verify this is the case. Then you will have to drill out the security bolts holding the key switch to the triple tree so you can separate the electrical section from the mechanical portion, then dismantle and clean the electrical contacts. Reassemble and use regular socket head cap screws instead of breakaway security bolts. i don't think this is covered in the service manual but it is basic repair work for a motorsickle mechanic.

 

Thanks kennybobby. I pulled out the 6-pin and checked circuit continuity with a multimeter and I got nothing with the ignition on (as seen in the attached image).

I guess the next simpler step would be to clean/rebuild the ignition assembly. However, I don't foresee "dirty ignition contacts" to become an issue after a drop? Any more ideas? It is just hard for me [the inexperienced] to imagine where else could things have gotten loose/changed with the electricals from a soft drop.

Also, as I mentioned before, trying to charge my battery resulted in my motor starter getting started! Is that expected behavior?
Thanks!

 

Trojan
You are almost there, now follow the harness to the next connection and check to see if there is power. When you said the bike start by itself with out the key and the ignition is off? This is weird......