Along the western shore of Lake Champlain, November 24th may have turned out to be the last (most perfect) day to drive the bike up to Plattsburgh NY for some new pilot road 4 tires to be installed, and a NY state inspection performed before winter. I purchased the bike exactly one year ago in wester NY, so my inspection expiration falls on Nov 30. When i drove the bike from Erie Pa on October 9th, I semi-stored the bike for the winter, but also knew that NY inspection was due???? Nevertheless, i had to return to Erie via Amtrak, not to return again until Thanksgiving time. I made the trip here on Saturday and waited for the right time do this task. Monday(nov24) started out quite rainy. But the forecast said that by 12 noon, the sun would be out with temperatures in the 50s. After speaking with the dealer at 8am about my chances of getting this work done, I prepared the bike for the trip by lashing the newly purchased tires to be the seat and pointing it outward. I DID not think i needed to test fire it, however.
At 11:30am, the sun was indeed out, and the roads were almost dry. So.. now was the time, I hopped on and started to crank it. I cranked it and I cranked it. But, to no avail. I hooked up the charger to offset the heavy demand i was placing on the battery. Then i cranked it again, and heard it fire--once. The was encouraging as it suggested that it was at least capable of getting a spark-- i already smelled fuel. I waited a few more minutes and then started spinning it again, while jabbing the throttle open and shut. Finally, it caught and started. What a relief. No more problems with it for the rest of the day.
So.. after driving this bike for a year about 8000 miles, it has started flawlessly until yesterday. Since owning this bike i have never let it sit more than 3 weeks before lighting it up. Apparently, 6 weeks is just too long to let it sit. OR IS IT? All that time, i had been on a trickle charger so the battery, so it was in prime condition and it certainly proved it was not the least bit marginal as it cranked this thing for quite a long time.
So... i thought i would just add this minor experience to the mix and see what long time FJR folk would say happened here?
Thanks
Jrc
At 11:30am, the sun was indeed out, and the roads were almost dry. So.. now was the time, I hopped on and started to crank it. I cranked it and I cranked it. But, to no avail. I hooked up the charger to offset the heavy demand i was placing on the battery. Then i cranked it again, and heard it fire--once. The was encouraging as it suggested that it was at least capable of getting a spark-- i already smelled fuel. I waited a few more minutes and then started spinning it again, while jabbing the throttle open and shut. Finally, it caught and started. What a relief. No more problems with it for the rest of the day.
So.. after driving this bike for a year about 8000 miles, it has started flawlessly until yesterday. Since owning this bike i have never let it sit more than 3 weeks before lighting it up. Apparently, 6 weeks is just too long to let it sit. OR IS IT? All that time, i had been on a trickle charger so the battery, so it was in prime condition and it certainly proved it was not the least bit marginal as it cranked this thing for quite a long time.
So... i thought i would just add this minor experience to the mix and see what long time FJR folk would say happened here?
Thanks
Jrc
