I hate mysteries.

[nervous]

Hello you lot,

My bike is being a st head. Can someone help me, please?

I rode out to a mates the other night on my Ducati and when I came back to the bike a few hours later it wouldn't start. When you turned the key it would power up and you could hear the fuel pump priming but it was just clicking, you know- like you get when the batteries dead, even tho it was showing 12.2. I popped it on charge over night but still wouldn't start so I went and got a new battery and fitted that.

That didn't work.

So, I took the fairings off and noticed that it is what I think of as the starter solenoid but what Ducati call the start contactor which is loudly clicking so after I tried tapping it as you would with any other relay type thing, I eventually track one down at a Ducati dealer who for the bargain price of 60 quid sends me a new 3 quid part.

Here's where it gets annoying. I just fitted it and the bike started. Hooray, right? No. No hooray. Because, paranoid creature that I am, I then turned the bike off and turned it back on again and we're back to the clicking. And the no starting.

What's happening please? I don't understand. Can anyone suggest to me what on earth is going on here please?

Hope you're all well by the way. What lovely weather etc we'be been having etc.

Ok enough of the pleasantries. Can some one fix my bike now please ? Thanks.

[nervous]

Superhoop said:

I was going to tell you about the random cutting out when taking left handers on my 848 Evo, and how there were two relays next to each other by the battery, and replacing both cured my issues.... Then I looked at your profile and saw you had a Desmo and realised my answer was not worthy!!

I've had exactly that issue on my previous Ducatis- especially the 1098 which is the same arrangement as your 848- and as a result it's the first thing I tried. Sadly, it's not that. Thanks for the thought though, it's greatly appreciated.

And I don't own it. I'm just keeping it clean for the bank manager.

[nervous]

moto_traxport said:

Or, more seriously, corroded earth wire / connection?

That's what I thought too but it all looks fine. Thanks for the suggestion tho. I appreciate it.

[nervous]

I don't believe this. After typing all of that I've just discovered that the connection to the starter motor looked connected but was actually not (the boot was covering it). It's only bloody running. I never ever ever get this lucky with this sort of thing. I must be about to get flying AIDs or something. Must be.

[nervous]

Jazzy Jag said:

two of my mates had a 916 and 600 monster and had similar problems after trying to restart following a fuel/fag stop.

Both had fried voltage regulators which caused subsequential damage to battery and other bits

My last two 1098s did exactly this. Evil bd things.

I can't believe all I needed to solve this problem was get thoroughly depressed, use all my biggest swears, come here and beg for help thereby making myself look even more of an idiot and also be a lot more diligent in my checking. Seems simple now I've done it.

bd. Thanks for your help everyone. I'm so relieved. For now.

[nervous]

THIS is why I pay you the big bucks.

[nervous]

Wedg1e said:

Maybe you'd be better off with something reliable, like a Deauville.

Yeah? Well, maybe you should shut your face. Did you ever think about that? Hmm?

That's right, Wedg1e-Man. I AM dangerous.

[nervous]

crofty1984 said:

Nervous am. The one. Who knocks.

Anyway, paying me big books is no good, have you ever tried to trade an Encyclopedia Britannica in against a motorbike?

It'd probably leak less in my fking van, mind.

[nervous]

Wedg1e said:

You don't scare me, I've seen the shirts you wear.

Y'see, I'm like an elephant, I never forget a shirt.

Blimey. That is quite the memory.

[nervous]

crofty1984 said:

s that the van with the mattress in the back?

In my defence, I was younger then and needed the work.