Washed bike now it has a hard time starting.

Okay last Friday I took my bike to the local car wash. Used the pressure wash hose to wash the bike real good. I gave the engine a good wash to get and grease and grime off of it (it is a sealed unit right, what could it hurt). Immediately after washing it I couldn't get it started until by son came by with the car and boosted me. I could get it started under the boost but when I took it off the boost and let the rpms die down the bike would quit running. Finally got it started, buttoned it all up while my son kept the rpms up. Took it for a ride and it ran like crap, it had absulotely no power. Also when going from a stop it would run ruff until I got the rpms up. Got it to my buddies, then it wouldn't start at all any more. Yanked the carbs, reseated the low speed idle screws and backed them off and it started up. Took it for a 8 hour ride the next day and it ran like a charm with both me and my wife on it. Now it has been a bear to start ever since.

Now this all happened immediately after high pressure washing the engine and the bike has been on a 8 hour bike ride since then with no problems. Now it won't start this morning (first time out after the 8 hour bike ride).

Any Ideas?

Dave...

 

Oh ya,

It is a 1984 Maxim xj750

 

My 85 XJ 700 had the same problem for 24 hours after I washed it. I spent a long time with the air hose and a fan (used the hose to blow them off and then turned a fan on to keep air blowing across them) trying to get the coils dry. Once they were finally dry it was fine. Just a thought.

 

Okay it might be a coincidence.

While trying to start my sick little bike I killed the battery. So I hooked it up to the charger for a half hour or so and voila ... it started right up.

So I think my problem now might be a battery that won't hold a charge and isn't giving enough cranking to start it well.

What do you all think?

What is good to look for in a bike battery?

Thanks in advance.

Dave....

 

I have always been advised NEVER use a high pressure washer (commercial) to wash a bike, regardless of how grimy it is. There are just way to many small parts that the water can force it's way into.
Bucket and a soft sponge and lots of elbow grease combined with the sprinkler setting on a garden nozzle.
For really wet parts, coils etc, a blow dryer on high will help, but do it round back of the house or in a garage or your neighbours will think you're nuts!

 

Maxim-X is right. You might have forced water into some electrical connectors which could have been shorting your battery essentially lessening it's lifespan.

 

Ancient Chinese secret huh?

 

Nope! Just plain old common sense. :wink: :wink:

 

Never mind didnt read the other posts very well, 1-up on Maxim x answer.