Why won't my 2001 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic won't turn over?

Question

I just bought it and was having problems with it so I put a new battery on it and still no luck. I will start cranking but won't turn over. I've taken it on the highway and gotten it wide open with carb cleaner in it and that didn't see to help either. Basically I push the starter switch and it will crank and crank and crank but won't turn over. It will sputter here and there like it wants to turn over, but won't until I sucker someone into running behind me and then I can push start it. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I'm not fully understanding what you are trying to say.

If you are pushing the starter button and the bikes motor is cranking then your motor is in fact turning over but apparently not starting. If it push starts but not electric start then there must be a problem in the starter relay or solenoid. That is if the engine is actually turning but not starting when you push the starter button.

Make sure you have the battery cables are connected correctly. Check the starter wires and look for a worn wire rubbing against the frame or motor. Remove the switch from the handlebar and take a look inside to see if there might be some problem there. Loose wire, pinched wire, bare wire.

If you still can't find anything contact the previous owner (if possible) and ask if he had experienced anything like this and what he did to fix it. Then see a mechanic or someone who's mechanically knowledgeable and ask questions. Then go out and buy yourself a shop manual preferably a genuine Yamaha V-Star service manual. Good Luck

Answer 2

So it turns over but does not FIRE.

You probably have a fuel problem, take out a spark plug and put a thimble of gas into cylinder, put plug back in and try to start.

If it fires you have a fuel delivery problem. Easy things are a plugged petcock, or plugged pilot jets. This bike is about old enough that the fuel pump might be shot.

Answer 3

starter.