So, after being stood all winter I trickle charge the battery and attempt to start her. Everything fizzes into life, I hit the button and the starter spins up. After a couple of seconds all i get is a huge backfire that nearly deafens me in the steel bike garage. I have not touched the throttle at all and there is no signs of it attempting to fire on the plugs. I am assuming its the spark plugs as its not been started for five months. Am I thinking along the right lines? After three starting attempts the battery then does not have enough charge to throw the starter so its back on trickle charge. the Battery is only around 12 months old too.
Battery could be goosed... They don't seem to like being on a charger continuously, especially the "gel" type. I do a lot of batteries this time of year and the conversation pretty much starts "it's been on charge all winter and the green light is on.."
Ashamedly, the battery has not been on charge all winter. I just trickle charged it now and then. Would a duff battery cause it not to fire at all on the plugs? The engine was spinning up ok initially but no attempt to fire if you know what i mean? My initial thought is the plugs have glazed over due to it being stood for months on end. Would it backfire with no spark produced, ie just under compression?
I had the same with my 749 which has been laid up over the winter. The backfire was like a shotgun going off, fortunately my garage door was open or I reckon I would have damaged my hearing. I gave it a couple of hours on the trickle charger then tried again and it fired into life on the second go. Been starting fine since.
Thing is, before now when it would not start straight away, i could hear it attempting to fire. Now it just does not seem to be firing at all. I have tried it twice now and only received a backfire on both occasions. I initially thought it may have been flooded but I have not touched the throttle at all. Its just a bummer now to get to the spark plugs.
A quick search and it looks like removing the spark plugs is a pain in the ass too. I did not get the tool kit with the bike.......
Has anyone had their 1098 plugs out? Googling it, some say radiator off and even the front wheel!! Is it really that bad?
You'll probably have to unbolt the rad and manoeuvre it out of the way to get good access but don't think you need to drop the coolant and disconnect altogether. I'd be surprised if it's an absolute must to remove the front wheel, probably just makes access easier if it's off.
Could you try a jump start to rule the battery out? Check on here how to do it properly or you could open a proper hurt box . Was the battery still attached to the bike over winter?
Yes the battery was left on the bike over winter with an occasional drip charge. Its a Lucas battery about 12 months old. I spoke to Ducati-John (very helpful friendly chap) and he feels there is a good chance its the battery. Looking for a new one now, i seem to think soemeone else opened a thread about which battery to go for, i shall have a search. I am not sure about bumping it, is it possible then? I will have a search on that too. Thanks.
I think I saw @nelly recommended Yussa a little while back, could be wrong, but he knows his stuff. I found with my SRAD if I didn't remove the battery and also give it 24hrs charge once a month I would need a new battery every spring and it had no alarm. Leaving them connected just kills them.
loosen the mounts on the rad and it will move to allow tight access. I think battery change in order.
Don't forget that petrol ages when left in a tank over winter, this may have something to do with it. Also, with the marginal capacity of the starting circuit, if the battery is low the energy required to turn the engine over leaves little for the ignition circuit. The spark plugs had to cause the bang, which will be from unburnt fuel, so that would suggest flooding caused by the engine turning over but not firing. First suspect has to be the battery.
Thanks, I am just deciding between a lucas YTX14BS @ £36 and a motobat MBT12B4 @ £60 in stock at my local bike shop. I am leaning to the Lucas as I can't say I have heard anyone raving about the Motobats yet? Hopefully this will sort it. I will let you know so anyone who may have similar issues can find it on here!
Having done much research, I ended up buying a Yuasa. I paid about 52 quid from a national/local supplier on a nearby industrial estate. The Motobatt was a strong contender but seems to be like Marmite, lots of people love them but as many seem to hate them. The Yuasa seems to be the sensible option, solid and dependable and just does the job. To go with the Yuasa, I invested in a replacement starting circuit cable-kit from America. These are expensive in America but by the time you've paid for shipping, import duty, vat etc., they are very expensive over here. I don't regret the expense though because I now have a bike that starts as reliably as my car. Previously, starting the bike up away from home was always a worry - I always had the feeling it might not happen. Now, all of that is gone, so it's money very well spent. Having said that, I won't recommend you buy the same HiCap kit from America that I did unless you are particularly impatient because @Exige on this site is currently prototyping Brtish made kits at a hopefully much more affordable price. You'll have to get your name on the waiting list...
Wasn't it a Lucas that let you down?? Go for the Yuasa - they have a reputation for lasting years and years...
Yes my last one was a Lucas but to be honest, i can only blame myself for leaving it discharged so long. I was looking at the higher output Lucas battery. Thanks for your post, appreciate it.
Trickle charging now and then should be fine - better than just leaving it plugged in all Winter. Leaving it actually discharged will kill it though.
Well I bought a new battery on saturday and fitted it yesterday. The bike fired up but appears to be firing on one cylinder. It will not idle and sounds rough. At one point it seemed to fire on both cylinders for a few seconds. I think its spark plug time? I see the front plug and assume the rear plug is beneath the seat somewhere? Also, which plugs would you recommend for a 1098 please? Thanks.
