Bike will not failed to start on me tonite, opinons on why?

I have a 1985 XJ700 Ca model.

I just changed the oil and filter of the bike no more than 6 days ago.
I used 2 quarts of general purpose 20-50W YAMAHA oil
And 1 quart of 20-50W Valvoline oil.
Does this affect the motor at all? Im not sure if this was a wise idea...
So anyways, the bike runs much more smoother and is a bit better on gas.
But ever since the change, starting the bike has not been as easy as it was before the oil change.

Tonite as I get to my bike, I left the bike to sit for 2:30mins while I visited my amiga. I rode it for 30 mins from lakewood to placentia and it was fine.
Then upon start up, it failed to start. Now I do have an older battery on the bike and maybe its time has just came. But It was fine just 30 mins ago.

Soo, after trying to start up for 20 mins letting the sparks recover from failed starts. Still nothing,
My only reasons for why it didnt start is the mixture of two diffirent oils, or the battery finally fully draining past the starting point.

What do ya guys think?

 

I think you need to fully charge the battery, and take it to an auto parts store and have it tested.

How many miles on the bike? If the battery turns out to be fine, it might be time for some charging system maintenance.

If in the course of all of this you 'flooded' it, then you will want a set of new spark plugs once the battery is sorted out.

**tip** check your battery for date codes. I have a battery a PO told me was new but I recently discovered is seven+ years old.

 

hi, sounds like the battery,i wouldnt think the oil would effect starting,infact only a week or so ago i put 15-40 oil in and was about 1/2 a litre short and topped up with 20-50,still starts good, im not sure if this the best way to go with oil but both were suitable for bikes and at the time i just wanted to ride, im sure somebody will chime in with oil does and donts.

 

I think we've all done the oil mix thingy at some time. The theory is not to mix oils as the additives may vary from one to another. This is probably true but on rare occasions it shouldn't hurt. Any oil is better than no oil. I feel that these bikes, and the dealers have told me, should use only oil for motorcycles with transmission and crankcase combined. They didn't try to tell me to take the machine back to them or buy my oil from them. They said they would like that but as I'm a mechanic, they realized I would do my own servicing. Automotive oils have friction modifiers which are not compatible with clutch material and over time will lead to early clutch failure. Those oils are designed to reduce friction, not something desirable when clutches are involved. The mix of oils won't cause a no start situation.

My 2 cents.

 

The bike has 22,741 miles on it and since ive had it ive put on 507 of my own miles.
Im trying to start ths bike right now but, it would start and I would give it gas then it would just go dead after.
The battery is probally in due for a change but will the sparks no dry out after a day of sitting? Do you think the sparks are fouled now due to the flooded from last night??

 

Got gas?
Battery needs a funeral.
Alternator Brushes need replacement.
Stock Fuse Panel problems.
Stuck Safety feature.

Perhaps you were rude to the Bike and now it wants nothing to do with you.

 

Re: Bike will not failed to start on me tonite, opinons on w

RickCoMatic's suggestion to check the gas is not necessarily as stupid as it sounds. With a failed petcock and stuck carb floats being a common problem it is not uncommon to dump a tank of gas into the crankcase. It happened to me a few years ago. Just a few miles after a fillup the bike sputtered to a stop. I was confused. Turned out I had a tank full of gas in the crankcase and none in the gas tank. That incident is what drove me to finding this site.

jmd_forest

 

.....or you could be out of gas. DAMHIKT......I just ran out yesterday, my own stupidity, ON THE WAY TO THE GAS STATION, one mi before I got there. I tried everything...petcock settings, checking ignition problems... etc..... til I embarassed myself finding I was totally empty and had already been on reserve. Duh.

Next things to check: Those that have already been mentioned, but I would lean toward battery. Oil was already warm, I don't think that would cause it.

Pull the oil filler knob and take a sniff. Smell like gas? There's part of the the problem. Smell ok? Look elsewhere for trouble.

If you have the room and a slight down hill slope, try pop starting it via the clutch. If the bike is still warm, it should fire right up. I've used that trick many times.

Otherwise, you may end up going into the carbs.

But, still leaning towards battery. A low battery will still allow you to turn the motor over, but you need a good strong battery to throw the spark.

dave f

 

Spray some Genuine Starting Fluid into the Airbox.

See what happens.

If it Pops or goes for a moment, ... you got a FUEL Related issue.

If NOTHING happens, ... that leans toward Ignition problems.

 

Re: Bike will not failed to start on me tonite, opinons on w

ok, just got myself a new battery today and installed it.
start up fine and dandy <(aha) now.

as of now, new sparks, new oil, new battery.
on its way to being 100%.

But as I start the bike on full choke to let the bike warm up before my ride.
Is it normal to have to keep the throttle maybe, 1/4 turned? if not less than that just to keep the motor from dying off?
It will run and idle for a bit but if no attention is made for it, it will die off even on a sunny day like today. But after a few mins on full choke the bike itself can stay on no problem as I work it to half than no choke for the last few mins of warm up. at the most 5 mins.

Also, I a few exhaust back fire? that small popping sound as you rev the throttle to get to higher speeds. would this be a result of dirty curbs?
that is my next task to get into for the bike. Im going to need to print out the manual for this part of servicing.

finally, after I get my curbs cleaned. the lining on my gas tank hole is slowly peeling off. I believe the previous owner just did a new layer inside it, but how new could it have been if its already peeling?
How would I remove the lining and then re-coat or line it with something else?

 

If you think you'd like to "Tweak" it; you can do that.
Tweaking is fun.
Do a couple of Plug Chops.

The easiest way to Plug Chop is to have a safe place to Chop and set-up.
Back-packing a Kit and rolling into a Highway Rest Area is cool.
Hit the Handicapped Ramp and roll right up to a Bench.

What do you need?
GLOVES!
An Old ACE Bandage
A Quality Spark Plug Socket
And whatever assortment of Ratchets and Extensions you like for doing Plug work.
Plug Gap Tool
( I have a 3/8ths Drive 1-Inch Extension and a "Thumb Knurl", and a Spark Plug Socket with Universal Socket).

*Put-on ACE Bandage over ARM or SHIRTSLEEVES.

Pretend you are in a NASCAR Race your Job is to Pull Hot Plugs and evaluate them.
Make Adjustments to Pilot Screws to engage in Fine-Tuning or to correct errors.

The Scope of Fine-Tuning the Pilot Mixture Screws in making Final Adjustments is done within just a FEW DEGREES of TURNING.