Help me fix my 250 please :)
Discussion
I've searched the s
t out of this but can't find anyone else on the internet with the same problem as me.
My Ninja 250 lost power and came to a stop while riding last week. The gear change lever keeps going up and down for as many times as you push it. It then just didn't start up - no attempts to turnover - nothing happens when you press the starter button.
The clutch (cable) seems to have the same tension as before and the cable seems to be moving freely at the clutch lever as well as where it connects to the engine. You can even see the plate(?) or something moving inside the engine (under the top you take off to put engine oil in) so I don't think it's the clutch.
The bike moves around freely but the Neutral light is never on. Electrics are fine (horn, sidelight, indicators all work).
Any ideas?
t out of this but can't find anyone else on the internet with the same problem as me. My Ninja 250 lost power and came to a stop while riding last week. The gear change lever keeps going up and down for as many times as you push it. It then just didn't start up - no attempts to turnover - nothing happens when you press the starter button.
The clutch (cable) seems to have the same tension as before and the cable seems to be moving freely at the clutch lever as well as where it connects to the engine. You can even see the plate(?) or something moving inside the engine (under the top you take off to put engine oil in) so I don't think it's the clutch.
The bike moves around freely but the Neutral light is never on. Electrics are fine (horn, sidelight, indicators all work).
Any ideas?
I don't know about grinding to a halt but, will it start with the clutch lever in? If it starts, stop it and have a close look - get on your hands and knees and look closely - at the shaft in the middle of your gear change lever. Is the middle (shaft) moving when the lever moves? If the shaft isn't moving with the lever, tighten the lever clamping it onto the shaft. Once you're up and running, adjust it to suit your boots.
lindrup119 said:
Does the bike have to be in neutral to start? If yes that might be that problem.
I can't remember if it has to be in neutral or if it can be in gear with the clutch in. If it has to be in neutral maybe that's it... that would suggest the clutch system is fine and it's something gearbox related.
The bike isn't starting at all and not even trying to turn over at this point.
The kill switch is fine.
When I bump it - i.e. wheel it around and try to change gear - it seems to go into gear as in the bike then stops being able to be pushed but the engine stll doesn't start even with clutch in.
Edited by .blue on Tuesday 23 August 07:40
When you turn the key do you get the noise of the fuel pump etc?
On my Yamaha i had an issue with the contacts inside the starting switch where there weren't touching due to some dirt inbetween the metal contacts that create the starting circuit. could be worth a look. otherwise the microswitch that teh side stand will push on when it is up may be faulty/dirty
On my Yamaha i had an issue with the contacts inside the starting switch where there weren't touching due to some dirt inbetween the metal contacts that create the starting circuit. could be worth a look. otherwise the microswitch that teh side stand will push on when it is up may be faulty/dirty
No start stuff like this is pretty basic as a general rule. You make it a lot easier with a multitester, you can buy these for less than a tenner and they are worth their weight in gold. Set it to 12V and go looking for a supply.
First off, have you got 12V at the battery? It should read between 12V and 13.5. Less than this and it's dead or needs charging.
When you hit the starter, do you get 12V supply to the motor terminals? If you do and it doesn't turn, the starter is dead.
As others have said, check the bike will start in gear or not. if the thing thinks it's in gear and disables the starter then you need to fix this.
The same goes for the side stand. Most bikes have a switch on the side stand that stop you starting it with the stand down. This stops you driving away with the stand down and then putting the bike through a shop window the first time that you attempt to turn left. If the switch is dicky then it can tell the bike that it's down when it isn't. You test the switch using the tester. It will have 12V both sides with the stand up and 0V on the motor side when the stand is down.
If this is all obvious then sorry, crack on. If not then basic tests like this will get you to a diagnosis, particularly when it's something as basic as "when I hit the starter the thing doesn't turn over".
First off, have you got 12V at the battery? It should read between 12V and 13.5. Less than this and it's dead or needs charging.
When you hit the starter, do you get 12V supply to the motor terminals? If you do and it doesn't turn, the starter is dead.
As others have said, check the bike will start in gear or not. if the thing thinks it's in gear and disables the starter then you need to fix this.
The same goes for the side stand. Most bikes have a switch on the side stand that stop you starting it with the stand down. This stops you driving away with the stand down and then putting the bike through a shop window the first time that you attempt to turn left. If the switch is dicky then it can tell the bike that it's down when it isn't. You test the switch using the tester. It will have 12V both sides with the stand up and 0V on the motor side when the stand is down.
If this is all obvious then sorry, crack on. If not then basic tests like this will get you to a diagnosis, particularly when it's something as basic as "when I hit the starter the thing doesn't turn over".
Thanks for the replies.
My main question in this...
If it's an electrical problem (starter switch, kill switch etc.) what is causing the gear shift lever to go infinitely up or down? I.e. it doesn't bottom out (in 1st) or top out (in 6th) it just keeps going up or down as many times as you push it.
That's the thing I'm trying to get my head around right now.
Then the question is why isn't pulling the clutch disengaging for the bike to start? Someone suggested perhaps the 250 doesn't let you start in gear even if the clutch is pulled in. if this is true, this makes sense. But if it's not then
My main question in this...
If it's an electrical problem (starter switch, kill switch etc.) what is causing the gear shift lever to go infinitely up or down? I.e. it doesn't bottom out (in 1st) or top out (in 6th) it just keeps going up or down as many times as you push it.
That's the thing I'm trying to get my head around right now.
Then the question is why isn't pulling the clutch disengaging for the bike to start? Someone suggested perhaps the 250 doesn't let you start in gear even if the clutch is pulled in. if this is true, this makes sense. But if it's not then
One thing at a time.
battered said:
First off, have you got 12V at the battery? It should read between 12V and 13.5. Less than this and it's dead or needs charging.
When you hit the starter, do you get 12V supply to the motor terminals? If you do and it doesn't turn, the starter is dead.
When you hit the starter, do you get 12V supply to the motor terminals? If you do and it doesn't turn, the starter is dead.
battered said:
No start stuff like this is pretty basic as a general rule. You make it a lot easier with a multitester, you can buy these for less than a tenner and they are worth their weight in gold. Set it to 12V and go looking for a supply.
First off, have you got 12V at the battery? It should read between 12V and 13.5. Less than this and it's dead or needs charging.
When you hit the starter, do you get 12V supply to the motor terminals? If you do and it doesn't turn, the starter is dead.
This is also a great way to learn a lot more about the way a / any motorcycle works, more so, when you own one yourself.First off, have you got 12V at the battery? It should read between 12V and 13.5. Less than this and it's dead or needs charging.
When you hit the starter, do you get 12V supply to the motor terminals? If you do and it doesn't turn, the starter is dead.
Are there any decent guides on the internet, that go through these types of checks in more detail? Techniques?
While I'm competent with a multitester, actually knowing which contacts to target, when you get deeper into the electrical system of a motorcycle, I become a little lost. :\
No idea regarding the chocolate gearbox, but have you thought the starting problem could be the solenoid?
My Nuda failed to start one day, appeared to be an abrupt flat battery with no action from the starter motor, but the fuel pump would whir to life, on checking the battery it was fine.
The Starter solenoid will be behind the engine block or maybe under the seat? Two large cable terminals...
Arc a screwdriver across them, if the motor turns over, it's broken.
Make sure the clutch is in or the rear wheel off the floor before trying.
My Nuda failed to start one day, appeared to be an abrupt flat battery with no action from the starter motor, but the fuel pump would whir to life, on checking the battery it was fine.
The Starter solenoid will be behind the engine block or maybe under the seat? Two large cable terminals...
Arc a screwdriver across them, if the motor turns over, it's broken.
Make sure the clutch is in or the rear wheel off the floor before trying.
faq.ninja250.org said:
Short version
A bike can be started:
in neutral with the side stand down and the clutch out
in neutral, with the side stand up and the clutch out
in gear, with the side stand down and the clutch in
in gear, with the side stand up and the clutch in
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Understanding/trouble...A bike can be started:
in neutral with the side stand down and the clutch out
in neutral, with the side stand up and the clutch out
in gear, with the side stand down and the clutch in
in gear, with the side stand up and the clutch in
I'd check the battery, but sounds like the gear linkage to me, that's why it's just clicking all the way up or down. Good luck!
daimatt said:
The gear lever bit sounds odd. Is it locked in gear or neutral?
Sounds to me like the gearshift clamp is loose and when you hit the end stop the linkage is slipping round the shaft. Easily proven: the bike will be stuck in gear so won't roll unless you pull the clutch in, no neutral light, won't start..blue said:
If it's an electrical problem (starter switch, kill switch etc.) what is causing the gear shift lever to go infinitely up or down? I.e. it doesn't bottom out (in 1st) or top out (in 6th) it just keeps going up or down as many times as you push it.
Your gearbox is fked.Rebuild time.
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