Suzuki Bandit won't start

[Gman021]

Hi Guys,

Bought a 2005 Suzuki Bandit that has been hibernating for many years. Put in a fresh battery and the electronics power up, but when I try to start it there is absolutely nothing happening. Actually, the front light goes out when I hit the start button.

First things that come to mind are checking the starter, relay, solenoid maybe, but I'm not sure how to do any of those things.

Bike started when put away almost a decade ago. Has oil in it, just want to see if the engine turns over before I take out and clean the carb and change the rest of the fluids.

[Stromper]

Put it in 3rd and push it see if motor turns

If not pull plugs and pour in kroil or pb blaster wait like 3 days then try again

Dump the tank don't even look

sPirit guide says follow the ground

Jump around starter shorting leads with largish screw driver

Suzi's have weak electrical connections that corrode easy

[Gman021]

Put it in 3rd and push it see if motor turns

If not pull plugs and pour in kroil or pb blaster wait like 3 days then try again

Dump the tank don't even look

sPirit guide says follow the ground

Jump around starter shorting leads with largish screw driver

Suzi's have weak electrical connections that corrode easy

Put the bike and third and it tried starting. I figured it wouldn't, obviously needs a carb clean after that long. I didn't hear the engine move, but I assume that is because of the carb.

Why would it start in third but not neutral?

[Stromper]

Push the bike in 3rd let the clutch out ,does the motor turn over OR does it just stop

Improperly stored motors can have the rings rust to the bores and motor is frozen

Starter can't spin it so nothing moves

First step is to make sure motor rotates

[Gman021]

Push the bike in 3rd let the clutch out ,does the motor turn over OR does it just stop

Improperly stored motors can have the rings rust to the bores and motor is frozen

Starter can't spin it so nothing moves

First step is to make sure motor rotates

Just stops. No other noises or feelings.

[butcher bergs]

Stop pushing the bike all over creation and check the safety switches....clutch lever, neutral and kickstand more specifically. I'll assume the fuses have been checked and are good.

The fact that the headlight drops out when the starter button is pressed suggests to me things are in reasonably normal working condition and there's a safety circuit that is interrupting power to the starter.

Work smarter not harder.

[myzx6]

Make sure u got some speed going when you try popping it in 3rd or u can pull the spark plugs out so it'll turn over easier

Are you sure you have the kill switch on when trying the starter also it have it in neutral and clutch pulled in

[Gman021]

Stop pushing the bike all over creation and check the safety switches....clutch lever, neutral and kickstand more specifically. I'll assume the fuses have been checked and are good.

The fact that the headlight drops out when the starter button is pressed suggests to me things are in reasonably normal working condition and there's a safety circuit that is interrupting power to the starter.

Work smarter not harder.

I've done all of those things except for any starter fuses, which is why I asked for a little direction on that part.

[Degsy]

Engine seized. Maximum draw on the starter and the headlight goes out. Get some oil down those plug holes.

[butcher bergs]

I am almost certain the headlight goes out because it is designed to do so once the starter button is pressed. Every bike I've owned did that and I imagine the Bandits would as well. Guarantees maximum battery power going to the starter.


What I would like clarification on is whether or not you can hear the starter doing anything once the button is pressed. We know the headlight goes out but can you hear the starter reacting in any way?

[Gman021]

I am almost certain the headlight goes out because it is designed to do so once the starter button is pressed. Every bike I've owned did that and I imagine the Bandits would as well. Guarantees maximum battery power going to the starter.


What I would like clarification on is whether or not you can hear the starter doing anything once the button is pressed. We know the headlight goes out but can you hear the starter reacting in any way?

Nope. Nothing. On my Ducati's you hear the fuel pump, on this you get nothing. When I shifted it into third and pressed the started, I only heard the starter and nothing else.

[butcher bergs]

So not even a click from the starter.....and I don't mean the noise from the relays. What I am questioning is if you can hear the pinion gear engaging the flywheel.

[Gman021]

So not even a click from the starter.....and I don't mean the noise from the relays. What I am questioning is if you can hear the pinion gear engaging the flywheel.

In neutral, there is nothing. In third, I only heard the starter working. I'm sure it's seized since it hasn't been used in a decade, I will go from there.

[Dmitry]

In third you were holding the clutch in? In Neutral you weren't?

Try starting with clutch "in" in Neutral...

also pull pugs, if the carbs leaked it could be hydro-locked with gas, in that case be sure to try turning motor by hand (top gear turning rear wheel)
IGNITION OFF SO YOU DON'T SET THE BIKE ON FIRE !! (Ask me how I know about setting things on fire)

[carsick]

I whether to or here. There seems to be a communication problem.

[butcher bergs]

I bought a Honda 250SX that sat outside for 6 years and that single cylinder engine turned over without issue. My Sportsman 700 sat for 7 years in a damp garage, again, no engine sieze. How is it we are convinced this engine has completely locked up from sitting in storage?

OP admits to not knowing electrical and we have him chasing a siezed engine right off the bat? We haven't gotten past basic electrical checks yet.


OP - With the bike in neutral and the clutch lever pulled in toward the handgrip, when you press the start button, does the starter do anything at all?
A. Yes
B. No

[SRTie4k]

Put bike in neutral, take a set of jumper cables and wire the battery directly to the starter. That'll tell you if your engine is seized real quick.

[OreoGaborio]

Lets clarify something: When you put it in 3rd, squeeze the clutch, push the bike down the road and dump the clutch, does the rear wheel IMMEDIATELY lock up like everything is just frozen up inside? Or does the rear wheel spin the motor over but the bike just chugs to a stop?

If it chugs to a stop, the engine isn't seized. It could be a seized starter.

[nhbubba]

As I recall, the fuses are in a black plastic module under the enormous banana seat attached to the subframe near the battery.
The hydrolock from leaky carbs concern seems reasonable to me too. Although I'd expect to hear the solenoid click.
Did not think there was an electric fuel pump on that bike.

[butcher bergs]

It could be a seized starter.

Which is exactly why I wanted to know what the starter is doing when the Start button is pressed.

[carsick]

I suggest a couple cans of starting fluid. Then hook the jumper cables to the carb, after removing any salvageable parts from the bike.

[DucatiGuy]

I'll post a video so we're all on the same page. I don't know how to access the starter. The bike is in a few peices as I am trying to get the carb out, but some of the linkages seem stuck. If that's not a problem kill switch wide I'll try it when I'm home.

[carsick]

I'll post a video so we're all on the same page. I don't know how to access the starter. The bike is in a few peices as I am trying to get the carb out, but some of the linkages seem stuck. If that's not a problem kill switch wide I'll try it when I'm home.

Uh, why are you posting a video? You don't seem to be the original poster with the dead Bandit?? You got two accounts?
Also, you seemed less coherent when posting about the Suzuki...

[TheIglu]

Same person, or at least same computer.

[DucatiGuy]

Uh, why are you posting a video? You don't seem to be the original poster with the dead Bandit?? You got two accounts?
Also, you seemed less coherent when posting about the Suzuki...

Yeah, lost the password to that one. Was still logged on old device. Same person.

Sorry for any confusion. This is my perm username.