gates

Disclaimer:  I am not a mechanic and have little aptitude for motors or dismantling motorcycles.

Problem:  My motorcycle ran fine earlier this season but now won’t start.

Motorcycle:  2005 VFR800A, had a full service performed in late 2022.  No prior issues.

Background:  My motorcycle has been running great for the past 18 years until a few weeks ago, although I haven’t ridden it much in the last 5 years (maybe 200 miles a year).  I had a full service (spark plugs, fluids replaced, new chain, new tires, etc) at the end of last season.  I started it and ran to the grocery store a few times this year.  Here is what I’ve done, noticed, and tried thus far:

1.    I noticed that the battery wasn’t holding a charge.  I could keep it on the battery tender and it would start consistently, but a few days off the battery charger and it wouldn’t turn over.
2.    I got a new battery and replaced it.  Now it will turn over but not start.  I put back the old battery and charged it, same deal.  I tried a jump pack, same deal.  I don’t think it’s the battery.
3.    All the lights come on and look “normal,” from what I remember.
4.    Had a friend come over, he said the starter sounded fine, he thought maybe it could be old/ bad fuel.
5.    Drained the fuel out of the tank and put in a gallon of new fuel.  Same issue.
6.    Tried to eliminate kill switches (main and kickstand/ neutral).  The main kill switch off doesn’t turn try turning over.  The main switch is on, in gear, kickstand down, and doesn’t try turning over.  The main switch is on, in neutral, kickstand down, starter tries starting.  The main switch is on, in neutral, kickstand up, starter tries starting.
7.    Removed side plastics (PIA) and checked fuses on both left and right fuse boxes – they all look good.
8.    Had a more experienced motorcycle friend come over.  He said that he would expect to hear the fuel pump when turned on, but doesn’t seem to hear it.  We found an accessible spark plug and pulled it.  He said it looked brand new.  Squirted some starter fluid in and put the spark plug back.  Tried starting, but nothing different.  He said that we should have heard something if it was getting sparked.
9.    Tried again a little later, and when trying to start, we can smell the starter fluid, but we only hear the starter.

So, he thinks it might be something electrical – but before we try anything else, I thought I’d see if any of the wonderful people on this discussion board might have ideas for diagnosing the issue.

It’s frustrating because it was starting and running fine right before I replaced the battery.

I do have a service manual, but it might as well be written in Greek.

Thanks for any ideas.  

I replaced with the EMGO. With my lack of skills, I would rather just replace rather than clean the k&n. Now that the air filter is done, next project will be brake pads. Time to start reading through the forum. Funny how after owning my bike for 5 years, I finally have enough confidence to try some of this maintenance. I appreciate all the work everyone puts into sharing their experiences, without this forum,I would never have the confidence to try. Thank you all!

Thank you all! Yup, after I took off the other 3, things were much easier! And man did my filter look dirty! Thanks again.

Please don't laugh me off the board, but I completed my first oil change last week without taking it to the dealer - the project this week is a new air filter. I have the service manual and even with this thread I am still stumped. I have the tank up, the four screws removed, but I cannot, for the l I've of me, figure out how to get the air filter cover off. Anyone have a good tip or pics - there has to be some kind of secret that I'm missing....... Thanks for helping a non-mechanically inclined guy try to do a little of his own maintenance.

I have convertibars on my 6th gen and they are worth every single penny they cost...the longer lines that came with mine were spiegler's, you should be able to order the longer lines from them.

Convertibars are HIGHLY recommended from me.

+1 :fing02:

I've had several. This Nelson-Rigg is my favorite. Nice size, not too big, not too small. Just right for riding around town. I think it looks great, following the lines of the bike nicely.

Nelson Rigg Silver Streak Magnetic Tank Bag

Plus, they show it on a VFR!

And here it is on my ride

Yes, it's THAT easy -- just keep your eyes on the little clip so it won't run away :fing02: -- but now all three cases are key matched. Thanks to all for the help!

Thanks for all the information -- since several of you have successfully completed the swap, I'll give it a try this weekend.

I picked my luggage up from www.accessories4bikes.com (formerly www.rickroushaccessories.com).

Trunk $360

Trunk Mounting Bracket $259

Trunk Liner $73

Again, thanks for all the useful information - this site is an invaluable resource!

I purchased 6th gen my bike used, with OEM sidecases already mounted amongst other upgrades. (Thank goodness because from reading threads installing sidecases seem like somewhat a pita for someone with my lack of skills.)

Sorry, I digress. Anyway, along with a bunch of extra stuff (original handlebars, original kickstand, blah, blah, blah) was an extra lockset, which I assumed was for an OEM trunk -- same key # as my side cases.

Fast forward 3 years. I purchased an OEM trunk and bracket a few weeks ago. Last night I managed to get them attached to the bike. The OEM case came with a lock already installed and two keys (they look similar to my original key with a little larger red handle. Since I haven't broken/ destroyed/ messed up anything yet -- I was wondering if anyone here had replaced a lockset on one of these before. I'd really like to just use 1 luggage key -- but don't really want to get the trunk lock apart to realize I've done something bad.

Any help or insight would be much appreciated!

Superfunk,

The grips look great and I'm looking to get a pair for myself. Where did you end up purchasing them from?

Thanks in advance for the 411...