Trouble starting VS700 Intruder after hot.

[mangumck]

My son just purchased an 86 VS700 Intruder. We got bike home and after riding for about 20 - 30 mintues to bike stalls out and will not restart. Bike in netural, clutch in, push starter switch and nothing happens. The battery is about 3-4 years old and discharges quickly. Will put new battery in. After bike sits for 20 - 30 minutes the starter switch operates and bike starts.

Any help woulf be greatly appreciated.

Mangumck

[Motorcycle Forum]

[Easy Rider]

Will put new battery in. After bike sits for 20 - 30 minutes the starter switch operates and bike starts.

Your question is somewhat premature.

The symptoms you report are fairly common for an aging battery that is about to fail completely.
Could also be a bad connection at either end of the main battery cables.

Get a new battery, get it charged fully BEFORE installation and then immediately get the charging system voltage checked (quick, easy and free at most battery shops)........and then get back to us.

Odds are good that just a new battery will solve the problem completely.

[Thundurburd]

Odds are good that just a new battery will solve the problem completely.

That's probably good advice. This bike is known however to have connection problems due to the position of the battery and lots of vibration, so when installing the new battery be sure to put star washers in the connections. I had trouble with mine and the dealer never did figure it out, it took a Suzuki rep to fix the bike, and it turned out to be a connection issue.

[mangumck]

Thanks for the help. I put a new battery in and it worked 3 out of 5 times. Started looking at starter switch and there was a wire that was barley connected. I re-soldered and works fine now.
However, The cooling fan does not seem to turn on. I let bike idle for about 15 minutes and it never kicked on. I will flush the cooling system tomorrow and check the fan out. Actually I think I should go ahead and change all fluids due to fact that I really don't know when the previous owner may have changed fluids.

[Easy Rider]

The cooling fan does not seem to turn on.

Don't panic with that and start throwing parts at it just yet.
That may not be a problem. I have a Honda model where the fan almost never runs.

As long as you are catching up on the routine maintenance, a new thermostat might be a good idea. If it's stuck open, the bike might never come up to proper operating temperature.

Others here are familiar with that particular model and probably know more about the fan.
Some simple tests can be done to verify the power, wiring and fan itself. Testing the thermo-switch is somewhat more difficult.

[mangumck]

Thermostat working correctly. Just not used to fan not kicking on quickly.

[CruiserCat25]

You said your son just purchased the same bike I got today and the same exact thing just happened to me. The bad part about it is I have no clue how to change the battery, or check to see if the wires need soitering or any of that. But the good thing is I am a fast learning if someone walks me through the process and tells me what I need to get the job done. I have always loved cruisers and wanted to learn how to ride and I accomplished that but this is kind of depressing cause I cant even change my battery. Please help.

Thank you

[Easy Rider]

The bad part about it is I have no clue how to change the battery,

There is some danger in messing with batteries.
If you have no experience with that, you need somebody ONSITE to help you out.
How about talking to the previous owner ??

What's your situation exactly; will it run long enough to get to a shop ??

[Easy Rider]

Thermostat working correctly. Just not used to fan not kicking on quickly.

If it EVER comes on......like stuck in traffic on a HOT day......then you should be OK.
If it NEVER comes on, then it might be worth checking further.

[slozomby]

service manual

http://www.disorientaticoppito.it/sito/Manuali/Suzuki_Vs_700_800_Intruder_Service_Manual_Eng.pdf