OH Great what a week, 800 won't Start.

CDNRatMan · June 10, 2016, 15:29:19 PM

The local Kawasaki shop has raised their hourly rate as of today to $102.00 per hour...........for an apprentice to remove my fenders or whatever and then have the qualified mechanic go and check over his work........not sure if that is right.....for that price I want the qualified person doing the whole job.

Old Drifter · June 10, 2016, 11:09:47 AM

Glad to hear that you got it running again...and the cost wasn't too bad.

Trall · June 10, 2016, 09:30:35 AM

Quote from: Troll on June 10, 2016, 07:47:52 AM
The wire on the oil pressure switch has no effect on cranking...it's the clutch switch that seems the only possible culprit. Mine gets a little funky at times, so I don't usually pull the clutch in to start...even though MSF says to. My H-Ds never had no stinkin' clutch switch, nor a side stand switch...didn't kill me in 50 years, so why worry now?

Good to Know and I'll pass that on to the Harley mechanic. Thanks again.....

Troll · June 10, 2016, 07:47:52 AM

The wire on the oil pressure switch has no effect on cranking...it's the clutch switch that seems the only possible culprit. Mine gets a little funky at times, so I don't usually pull the clutch in to start...even though MSF says to. My H-Ds never had no stinkin' clutch switch, nor a side stand switch...didn't kill me in 50 years, so why worry now?

Tfrank59 · June 10, 2016, 07:28:10 AM

That's a fair price. I doubt I could get that here in my part of the world, maybe by a friend or something

Trall · June 10, 2016, 00:20:45 AM

Price was 80. I believe he charges a reasonable 40 per hour.

My local dealer wanted 75 Or 80 per hour.

Tfrank59 · June 10, 2016, 00:06:28 AM

Well that's a good outcome. Didn't cost you anything except the mechanics time – May I ask what he charged you?

Trall · June 09, 2016, 23:08:09 PM

Update- The mechanic checked the bike over and said the starter was good, the starter relay and fuse good, and a few other things checked out good. He said it was one or two things that he did and it started up fine after- 1st He checked the single wire for the oil sensor (I think that is what he called it) the wire is in a rubber boot cover located right above the starter and that wire was really loose and he tightened it and then 2nd -the clutch lever he pulled it closed and let it out real quick a few times and checked the clutch plunger switch was coming in and out which appeared it did. Then he tried and it started up fine and has started up fine since.

He does not know which one of the two was it but after the two it started. He did not know on the Drifter 800 but said on some bikes if the oil sensor light is loose like mine was the bike won't start because the bike thinks there is no oil but on some bikes the bike will still start with the oil sensor light wire off. As far as the clutch he said there might on been some grit or dirt in the housing and by closing the lever and letting go might of shook it loose. He is not real sure but between tightening the oil sensor wire and playing with the clutch lever the bike starts now. Time will tell.........

Does anyone know on the Drifter 800 if the oil sensor wire not connecting would make the bike not start?

mittico68 · June 09, 2016, 02:43:09 AM

Maybe I'm puttin' a dumb question...
But did you check the spark plugs of the engine?

Trall · June 08, 2016, 22:21:22 PM

Just checked the clutch and everything seems pugged in and tight.

I seached my local CL for services and motorcycle mechanics and found a nearby home mechanic who's ad was for Harley's. Talked with the mechanic and he owned a Drifter 800 many years ago. He's retired and works out of his garage. I tried to push start the bike after putting extra socks on and of course my boots. Tried 4 runs down my slight decline driveway, in second gear, popped clutch and a little rumble but not enough to start. After 4 tries and in need of shower again, Iam done.

The mechanic told me if I was unable to push start he would pick up bike with trailer in the morning for $40. Fair enough.

CDNRatMan · June 08, 2016, 21:47:51 PM

Plug on the clutch lever?

Troll · June 08, 2016, 21:35:23 PM

Check to make sure that the plug on the clutch lever is all the way on and tight.....common fail point...

CDNRatMan · June 08, 2016, 20:50:19 PM

I am sure once Troll and GreenBarn check in here they can give you some really good help......

really happy to know that you refrained even in a really bad situation from using language that you dear machine needs not be subject to. Imagine someone using language like that in front of your little daughter, unheard of.......Drifter's can be sensitive machines........

Trall · June 08, 2016, 20:27:45 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on June 08, 2016, 17:23:35 PM
ok I am mulling over the thought of what could be wrong here, sorry about you have a bad week, not sure what is wrong with the bike, but when you did the foolish thing of moving it sans proper footwear, did by chance use language unfit for a lovely lady as your Drifter is to hear you and perhaps think you were directing your vulgar language in her direction and so she is getting back at you.......

ok you have done what I would have done, kill switch is on, everything else is working normal, lights, horns, fuses all look correct,

what about the IC Igniter?

We can rule this out- LOL.....That is one mistake, I did not upset/spoil her with ANY profanity before, during or after learning the importance of proper footwear and the daily pain incurred to her sensitive ears. So no foul language used in her presence.

I do have an appt. for a good electrical guy next Thurday at the dealer that they could get in me a little sooner.

Your talking a foreign lang. with IC igniter and other members checks mentioned. I did wiggle some wires by the kill switch and here and there hoping for a simple fix. The battery I am a pro at removing and installing and all secure.

SO at this point I resolved to waiting......Thanks though.

Tfrank59 · June 08, 2016, 20:14:48 PM

yeah, that's a tough one with the toe and all. I really suck on electrical, but I'll just echo Ratman, that it's going to be something simple like the kill switch, unless somehow a wire got broken or unplugged moving the bike around. I'd say start with all the things you can check visually, and if need be play with some wires while trying to make her crank--in case it's a loose connection and just a jiggle gets it to fire for you. also, just thinking out loud--you're sure the battery connections are good and tight, right? maybe double check em. let us know what you learn. good luck!

CDNRatMan · June 08, 2016, 17:23:35 PM

ok I am mulling over the thought of what could be wrong here, sorry about you have a bad week, not sure what is wrong with the bike, but when you did the foolish thing of moving it sans proper footwear, did by chance use language unfit for a lovely lady as your Drifter is to hear you and perhaps think you were directing your vulgar language in her direction and so she is getting back at you.......

ok you have done what I would have done, kill switch is on, everything else is working normal, lights, horns, fuses all look correct,

what about the IC Igniter?

tj · June 08, 2016, 16:33:11 PM

Quote from: tj on June 08, 2016, 15:49:53 PM
sorry about you toe...glad you're ok tho!

regarding the bike, it sounds like the side stand switch to me. did you try and jump the wires going to the switch? if it was me, i would start there.

just thought about it again...side stand switch shouldn't matter if neutral light is on.

Pilgrim · June 08, 2016, 16:21:05 PM

check wire connector is tight at clutch lever, or is that just on the 1500? main fuse blown?

tj · June 08, 2016, 15:49:53 PM

sorry about you toe...glad you're ok tho!

regarding the bike, it sounds like the side stand switch to me. did you try and jump the wires going to the switch? if it was me, i would start there.

Trall · June 08, 2016, 13:40:42 PM

I had one heck of of week. Last Wednesday, I made an error in common sense and was moving/staging my Drifter without shoes on from her storage corner of my garage where she sleeps in slumber to the main garage door to get her ready to ride to work and in the process had a mishap with a parking block for my car on the floor and had the kickstand make contact with my left big toenail and bend it back 90 degrees. Ouch to say the least. After the initial pain train left, I parked her back in her spot. Called in for work and went to the doctor in the morning for nail removal.

Fast forward......Now it's a week later (Tuesday night) toe sore but can wear boots again, pulled bike out from corner to get her ready to ride again with boots on and my bike won't start or even try to start. Placed her back in corner storage. I pulled battery, I work 3rd shift and this morning had Autozone test and they said it was good. Passed Oriely's and what the heck, stopped and battery tested good. Got home and bike does not start or even tries to start.

I checked over wiring to make sure everything seems secure, connected and tight. Checked the small fuse panel block right next to battery and pulled all fuses and all good. Called local Kaw. dealer and since I had a Walmart battery of unknown age, wanted to change it out, just to prevent an future issue and cross off the list of current issue. I bought new dealer Yuasa AGM high performance battery for $90. The tested old battery and it tested good so I was hoping it was bad but another good test.

Went home installed new battery same result. Nothing - no noise, no cranking like before from starter button. New battery so thats not the problem.

I called dealer and they have a two and 1/2 week waiting period for them to check it out.

I was hoping someone here can spoon feed me on what to check next of most likely's and how to check it since I no nothing about electrical otherwise will have to wait it out. I own a multi-meter but never used it.

My bike ran fine about 10 days ago and the previous 6 rides this year. No issues beside changing out petcock because of fuel leak but ran fine after repair and three rides later all good. It's a 2001 Drifter 800 now with 2700 miles and bought from original elderly owner in Nov. 2015.

New Yuasa battery- June 8th, 2016

History- The kill switch is off, the petcock was on, full tank of gas, the turn signals, brake lights, horn work. The bike is in Neutral with the green N light on. Kickstand is up and tried it down but no changes. Also tried it in gear but no changes. Everytime, I pull in clutch lever and press starter button with ZERO sound, no noise, no cranking.

Now I need spoon fed on what and how to do what checks if someone has the time..........Thanks........................