[63536]

Hi all, posting in the hope that someone cleverer than me might be kind enough to assist me in narrowing down a problem on my recently purchased 01 VL1500 LC.
After stopping to chat to the missus the other day I attempted to restart eh bike but couldn't get it to fire up? Eventually I ran the battery down and got the other battery that I had and got her going. The strange thing was that the bike seemed to be turning over really slowly as if it were struggling to crank?
Same happened a couple of days later,she was turning over really slowly until the battery went dead! After charging she started and I set off home fro work. After stopping for petrol I got on and she turned over really quickly ie. normal??

Bit confused and really appreciate any help guys

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[mscuddy]

..Sounds like the curse of Lucas. Check the alternator for output, and all the other charging doodads that keep the battery full of juice. Since the bike started right up after installing a new battery, I'd say you've narrowed it down already.

 

[Buzglyd]

..Sounds like the curse of Lucas. Check the alternator for output, and all the other charging doodads that keep the battery full of juice. Since the bike started right up after installing a new battery, I'd say you've narrowed it down already.

Dang, I figured you were going to tell him how to McGyver a new alternator out of some used shotgun shells, a kids spinning top and some spare coat hangers from the dry cleaner.

 

[longride]

Cuddy is slippin'.

 

[63536]

Hello mate and thanks for your input. I might not have explained well enough. I didn't replace the battery, I just used another to jump the bike. When I pulled into a garage and restarted the bike it turned over really quickly. I've found other forums mentioning putting the bike in gear and rocking it then selecting neutral as if to imply that the bike might not always be in neutral?

Still confused

Andy

 

[mscuddy]

? Not in neutral? Then how did it turn over without lurching forward? Here's what I'd do; first you're gonna need three empty shotgun shells, a kid's spinning top toy, and some wire coathangers...

 

[63536]

Errr, yeah, right, ok. Thanks for that. As you can see from the posts below, there are lots of people having the same problem. The bike doesn't lurch forward but seems not be to "properly" in neutral. Others go on about decompression systems not operating properly.

Just trying to get to the bottom of it

BELOW ARE POSTS, AND REPLIES FROM ANOTHER FORUM FROM FOLK WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

I own an 2002 Intruder 1500 LC, and for the last month I have had a problem with it starting. I have replaced the battary and also had the starter checked. No problem there. Does anyone have any sugestions on what else to look for?
Thanks.
Steve
[email protected]

i have a 2000 and now am experincing the same problem that you describe. had dealer put in new regulator with no help. would like to know what you did to correct the problem. thanks [email protected] thanks for the help

i,m new to this site so ya probably already have your ans, to starting prob. if not go to this web site moc,s place and you will see something called decomp for dummies click on it and follow dir,s its very easy,

What exactly is it doing???

Check the plug that goes to the rectifier. Mine was bad, I cut the plug out and wired it direct with heat shrink instead of tape, starts everytime now.
Greg

SAME PROBLEM, NO ANSWER YET.Anyone have an answer? Jack

I own a 1999 Intruder 1500. I too have the problem when starting. It feels like a flat battery but its not. Like it is not fully in netural and not allowing the engine to crank over and start. I rock the bike while gear, forward and back releasing the clutch to stop rolling. Then sometimes, I place bike in netural and starts right away.
Any solutions?

lasydney

HI guys, The hard starting is due to the decomp cable. When you hit the starter switch, a decompression solenoid is activated, releasing the high compression of the engine. The engine will turn over freely and start regularly. You need to adjust the decomp cable. If you need more info, post again and I will hook you up with a sight that gives you all the info.

Bike was slow cranking so I replaced the very expensive battery with no improvement. Does not crank fast enough to start on cold mornings. I checked all connections, starter output etc but can´t figur eit out

Any ideas?

I have same problem. Not the battery. Must be problem in gearbox or compression valve. Rock bike forward and back (in first gear or second and clutch in) use clutch to stop. Gently place in neutral and try starting. It is getting the ´NEUTRAL´ selector in correct position.

lasydney

I AM THE OWNER OF A LC1500 WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING AFTER I RODE IT FOR A FEW MILES.AFTER I CALLED MY DEALER AND HE DIDNT HAVE A CLUE,THEN I CALLED SUZUKI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 714-572-1490 AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD KEEP THE CALL ON RECORD BUT I REALLY DONT THINK THEY WOULD WARRANT ANY PART. I TOLD THEM WHEN THE BIKE DOES THIS SLOW CRANKING THAT I PUT IT IN 2ND GEAR AND ROCK THE BIKE BACK AND FORTH THEN IT CRANKS RIGHT UP LIKE A BRAND NEW ONE. I BELIEVE ITS IN THE STARTER MOTOR THATS WHERE THE PROBLEM PART NO.31100-38B02 THE CHEAPEST NEW PART PRICE IS $230.00 THAT IVE FOUND AT RON AYERS.

The problem likely lies in the decompression system used when the bike is started. This commonly gets out of adjustment and the small starter motor will not turn the engine over without the decomp system working correctly......
The procedure for adjusting can be found in the Suzuki shop manual.
hope this helps.

I tried adjusting my decomp valve, same issue. I don\´t think its the decompression valve. Many with this issue out there but nobody seems to have a cure. I have replaced batteries too, but no luck. I can jump it though, so I am wondering if its a starter issue or maybe not charging correctly?

I have a 99 intruder vl 1500 and have the same problem. I haven\´t found out anything yet.

 

[longride]

Looks like nobody has found a solution, and my favorite quote of the day is "the dealer doesn't have a clue". Classic. Sorry about your problem though. Hope you figure it out.

 

[mscuddy]

..this is just like the problem in Dafur: Don't send foreign aid, send suitcases (so everybody can pack up and leave). In your case I'd suggest dumping that 'Zuki, cause with a bike that size bump-starting is out of the quesiton. Unless you live on top of a hill...good luck.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

1. Remove the battery and drain the motor oil.
2.Submerge the motorcycle in salt water for 36 hours.
3.Recover the motorcycle and re-install the battery and re-fill with motor oil.
4.Discard the motorcycle.

 

[63536]

Thanks Kenneth, really helpful. I'll try it now

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Thanks Kenneth, really helpful. I'll try it now

Don't use brackish water. Ocean salt water only.

Glad I could help.

 

[63536]

yep, no problem. I now understand why there is only three of you on this forum.

Sad ****s

 

[The_AirHawk]

Your battery is small, and can die without warning. One day it's fine - the next PBBBBBT!

That you jumpstarted it OK is pretty telling. Follow mscuddy's advice. If you can't, then get back to us with a detailed description of WHAT you have done, and WHAT the bike is doing.

Hard as hell to diagnose a broken bike over the Intersex.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

yep, no problem. I now understand why there is only three of you on this forum.

Sad ****s

Yep. Everybody else is on the VL1500 forums trying to figure out why their POS bikes won't start.

 

[longride]

Yep. Everybody else is on the VL1500 forums trying to figure out why their POS bikes won't start.

You forgot that the dealers 'don't have a clue' also. I'm sure after that barge went out the door, they really didn't want to see it again........ever.

 

[pushrod]

Apparently the dealerships in Ol' Blighty hire the same type of "mechanics" ours do.

You know, the guys that occasionally show up, and don't ask for much pay, but want it every Friday.

Oh yeah, they also have to own their tools. The ones they have in a roll-away chest with a velcro patch for the Pawnshop tag.


In their defence (note the British spelling!), they have to deal with guys like skydivezone who log into a site, ask a difficult question about a six-year old bike he just bought, and then insult the guys that answer him.

 

[63536]

Pushrod, I insult the people that answer me with nothing more than sarcasm and stupidity. I'm 41 not 14. I asked a very sensible question and hey, if you don't know the answer, no problem, but childish crap isn't really helpful is it??
I also posted a load of quotes from others with the same problem. I'm a fireman, not a pop star and don't have a bottomless pit of money to throw at my, not so local, dealership, which is why.....you getting it yet?????.....that's right.......I asked here.

Here's some advice for you my friend, go back to the beginning and read all of the posts here, not just one but all of them.
As for joining this forum, well maybe that was a mistake. I've had 15 bikes and been riding for many years. I don't believe that gives me any right to be arrogant or aloof.
But then again slagging off my choice of ride isn't insulting at all, clearly I'm stupid as well?

I've had some really helpful input from some places so the "little willy" crowd that gets off on belittling people to make each other feel better are not the be all and end all of motorcycling, no matter how often you tell each other.

Once again, I'll remind you that all I did was ask a question, you forum gods choose to treat me in the manner that you did.
Good luck to you, people like you get sorted out one way or another in life so I'm not going to worry about it too much. Maybe the next time someone, politely asks a question you might think before you reply.

One final piece of advice for you......Never miss a Golden opportunity to keep your mouth shut! Think about it fella

Regards Andy

 

[longride]

Your frustration with the guys here may stem from that fact that nobody, including the dealership, nor the guys on the Suzuki forum, have figured out an answer to your problem. We are a pretty loose bunch here, and come off a bit nuts, but if anyone had the real solution, they would be giving it to you.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Pushrod, I insult the people that answer me with nothing more than sarcasm and stupidity. I'm 41 not 14. I asked a very sensible question and hey, if you don't know the answer, no problem, but childish crap isn't really helpful is it??

Andy,

If my humorous comment on the situation with your bike caused you such pain, I apologize. This forum has a lot of humor, some of it sarcastic, none of it with any ill-will. I'm the first to admit that not everything I post is all that funny, but really, this isn't a website on terminal cancer; motorcycling is a hobby type activity for most of us. Thus, having a few laughs here helps make the day a little nicer for most of us.