Starting problems

[wraith]

Ok all, before I start into the bike, just thought I'd ask you lot to see if you have any other thoughts.

B12 engine. Over the summer started to get hard to start, would turn over nicely but would start to back fire/pop through the exhaust, then the starter motor/ or starter clutch would start to go clunk, then the battery would die very quickly.

When bike is running battery reads 14.4v and when stud reads around 12.4-12.8v

Thought it might be battery, but now put two new batteries on (different types) same thing. Check the starter clutch all looks well. 

Thinking ever bad earth or starter motor? 

Have got a blue spark but not the strangest one I've seen and same on all 4 cylinders.

Any ideas or thoughts?

 

[Toecutter]

Have you checked your valve clearances recently?

[wraith]

3 hours ago, Toecutter said:

Have you checked your valve clearances recently?

Last year but will be worth doing 

[Dezza]

Sounds like a good excuse to do a stick coil conversion, faff about with the alternator wiring and upgrade to an Li battery

Edited Tuesday at 05:31 PM by Dezza

[wraith]

11 minutes ago, Dezza said:

Sounds like a good excuse to do a stick coil conversion, faff about with the alternator wiring and upgrade to an Li battery

Plans are to convert to stick coils.

But just not a lover of Li batterys (yet )

[Fazz711]

Definitely worth checking engine earth strap 

[fab]

I would be pulling the starter motor out and serving it.

[Upshotknothole]

Check the earth and inspect the rest of the connections for the ignition circuit.