Starting problem with the '84 Ninja 900

[Ericthejet]

Yesterday I noticed that it was cranking a bit slower than normal.
By the end of the day I had to push-start it.

Got the bike home and thre her on the charger for about 3 hours at 2amps.
Gave it another try and she started fine.

Let it charge at 2amps for another few hours, tried again...nothing.

Headlight bright, signals, horn and cooling fan all good. I know the draw of the starter is greater than the mentioned items but thought I would mention just the same.

When I do hit the starter button after the above mentioned charging I get a pronounced "click" from the left sidecover where the relay, solnoid etc are clustered. I have not checked the battery for fluid levels since July 1st. At 2500rpm the alternator is providing 13.5 volts. I have checked the +/- terminals and the condition of the related wires.( dielectric grease every spring) I have yet to find my manual(still unpacking) for reference.

Bike is well cared for, no past related issues, no recent fiddling with wires in or around the area in question.

Thanks for any help provided.

Eric

[RyanNicholson]

sounds just like a junk battery to me.... but i'm no mechanical genious

[Wishbone]

You need a new battery

[naked-daytrader]

You need a new battery

or a new bike??? Time to take the plunge dood......an 84??? Come on now, you can do it..

[wylee]

Bad starter or bad connection in the cable from the solenoid to the starter. Doesn't really sound like a battery to me. If the battery was so bad it wouldn't hold a charge for the time it takes to remove the charger and push the start button, the headlight wouldn't be very bright.

[wylee]

or a new bike??? Time to take the plunge dood......an 84??? Come on now, you can do it..

You offering to pay for it?


Cut the new guy a little slack.

[naked-daytrader]

You offering to pay for it?


Cut the new guy a little slack.

Fine........

Sounds like the battery went tits up bro..
















New bikes come with new batteries as well..

[Ericthejet]

Yes indeed a new bike would be mint but some of my cash is currently tied up in a business venture here in town. The dollar is doing better(cdn) so perhaps I'll pick up a new Ninja.

Later dudes.

[stoinkythepig]

The starter relay on those can go bad giving you precisely those symptoms. It is a simple device and any starter relay can be used in its place. To test, put a screwdriver across the two large relay terminals, with the bike in neutral, and I bet it'll spin over normally every time.

[Ericthejet]

Update. Battery is very with lots of amps.
Relay good, fuse's all good, connections all good and I tried to jump the solnoid with no positive results. Connection to the starter motor good as well. I "bumped" the bike and she runs just fine. As I was putting everything back in the garage for the night I turned on the ign. and hit the started button. Yes, I am only telling you this 'cause it turned over in a normal fashion for about 2 seconds. I tried a second time and it petered out. Tried a 3rd time, nothing.

I am going to purchase a rebuilt starter and be done with it.

Later dudes!

[stoinkythepig]

I have a starter. Lemme know if you are interested.

[Ericthejet]

I am interested in the starter motor. Price?

Thanks.

[stoinkythepig]

Pay for shipping and it's yours. Thank Beet, I'm just paying it forward.

PM me with your address and I'll ship it to you.

[Ericthejet]

If you are within an hour or two from Bellows Falls I have time. The next two days look beautiful for a ride and I would love to ride out and pick it up if that's cool with you. I checked Google Maps and its and easy ride from my place. Let me know.
Thanks,

Eric

[The Snowman]

New bikes come with new batteries as well..

Do an even swap, his bike for your 1098. I'll bet his didn't need a new ECU right out of the showroom though.

[stoinkythepig]

I'm more than an hour or two from Bellows Falls (at least it was when my step brothers were going to VT Acadamy and we'd go visit to watch football games, many years ago), but you are welcome to pick it up. I work in Westford MA (quite near "world famous MotoMarket") which is a bit west of Raymond NH and a nice area to ride to as well. If you can come during the day, I can bring it to work for ya. Lemme know

[Ericthejet]

Sounds like a plan. Can you give me a location to drive to and I can give you a call when I get there? Tomorrow or wednesday would be fine just let me know so I can plan the ride and of course check Google maps as well.

Thanks again,
Eric

[stoinkythepig]

PM sent

[stoinkythepig]

Ah, shoot. The starter I have may not fit... I thought an 86 Concours and an 84 zx900 would use the same starter (the engines are bsaically the same) but the Kawasaki part numbres are different. It MAY fit, the conc starter might just be more powerful. You are welcome to try.

[TIMMYDUCK]

Pull the starter motoir and drive over to Rick's motorcyle in Plaistow, NH.

It is the Bendix in the starter and it need to be rebuilt.

I had a 84 Ninja 900 from 84 to 86.

[Stoneman]

I'm tellin' ya, it's the battery. It won't even hold a charge...

[Ericthejet]

My bike has a battery?

[Stoneman]

My bike has a battery?

Oh, that's right. That little hand-crank that sticks out the front, just above the fender? Yeah, that one. Just wind that up a bit, should do the trick!

[Ericthejet]

Thanks again for the starter DR. My ride back was great...love those roads.

[stoinkythepig]

Hope it fixes the problem.