M600 2001 Starting Problems

08-07-2017, 03:58 PM

Hey peeps,

I purchased my first Ducati M600 2001 a few months ago and it never really starts with ease. It wasn't too bad when I first had it but as I rode it less than the previous owner, it seems to start less and less. The only way I can get it to start is by bump starting it down the road (luckily I live on a hill). Once it starts and runs then it has no issues for a day or so.

I must admit that I am not too tech savvy with engines and apologise if I come across as a bit clueless as I am with these types of things. All got to learn somewhere right?

When i pull in the choke and press the starter, the bike ticks and does a coughing noise but doesn't kick into life. I have checked and cleaned the spark plugs, fuses and the battery seems to be working as the starter sounds like it's doing its jobs

Is there anything else I can check or be wary of?

Thanks for your help in advance!

utopia · 08-07-2017, 04:48 PM

You seem to be saying that if you leave it parked up for a number of days/weeks its hard to start the first time, but thereafter it starts ok .. until you park it up long term again.
This is fairly common in carbed monsters.
Your problem could simply be that fuel has evapourated from the float bowls while the bike has been standing.
The carb float bowls are fed by a low pressure pump and this needs a bit of cranking before it can refill the float bowls to the correct level.

The float bowls themselves are the bottom chamber on the carbs, and the level of fuel in them is controlled by a float valve, much like the one in a water tank or toilet cistern.
If the fuel level is low, insufficient fuel is delivered to the jets.

The pump that feeds them is vacuum driven.
Its the thing that looks like a can of tuna, on the right hand side of the bike, between the cylinders.
Its not a powerful pump and the engine needs a decent cranking to generate enough vacuum to drive it.

The situation is obviously made worse if the pump is not in good condition .. and the inner rubber diaphragm is a potential weak point and can deteriorate, particularly if the bike is left unused for a long period and it dries out.
And also, if the battery isn't giving the engine a good spin, then the pump likewise will not be driven well. So a poor battery may aggravate the situation. Also a poor earth connection from the battery to the chassis will sap its power .. it might be worth unbolting the lead and cleaning everything up to ensure a good connection as corrosion here is common in older bikes.

Darren69 · 08-07-2017, 06:15 PM

Do you keep it on a tender? That may help to keep the battery in tip top condition.

08-07-2017, 09:02 PM

Sounds like a good explanation from Darren. Couple with the hot weather the floats will empty a lot quicker.

Dirty · 08-07-2017, 09:13 PM

I liked utopia's best

09-07-2017, 04:13 PM

Thanks for your replies, all very useful and makes sense! The earth connector looks good and don't suspect the battery to be an issue at this time, but I could be mistaken. I will look at getting a tender and see if that makes it any better.

I bumped started it yesterday and tried it again this morning and started without any hesitation. I guess i should just use it more...

Mr Gazza · 09-07-2017, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hinty

I guess i should just use it more...

By jove! You've got it dear boy..

10-07-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty

I liked utopia's best

Somehow I have managed to mistake Jeff for Darren!

08-07-2017, 03:58 PM	#1
Hinty Guest Posts: n/a	M600 2001 Starting Problems Hey peeps, I purchased my first Ducati M600 2001 a few months ago and it never really starts with ease. It wasn't too bad when I first had it but as I rode it less than the previous owner, it seems to start less and less. The only way I can get it to start is by bump starting it down the road (luckily I live on a hill). Once it starts and runs then it has no issues for a day or so. I must admit that I am not too tech savvy with engines and apologise if I come across as a bit clueless as I am with these types of things. All got to learn somewhere right? When i pull in the choke and press the starter, the bike ticks and does a coughing noise but doesn't kick into life. I have checked and cleaned the spark plugs, fuses and the battery seems to be working as the starter sounds like it's doing its jobs Is there anything else I can check or be wary of? Thanks for your help in advance!

08-07-2017, 06:15 PM	#3
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,023	Do you keep it on a tender? That may help to keep the battery in tip top condition. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

08-07-2017, 09:13 PM	#5
Dirty Bockloks Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: London Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 4,601	I liked utopia's best __________________ Wounds heal, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever Beware of eBay

08-07-2017, 04:48 PM	#2
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	You seem to be saying that if you leave it parked up for a number of days/weeks its hard to start the first time, but thereafter it starts ok .. until you park it up long term again. This is fairly common in carbed monsters. Your problem could simply be that fuel has evapourated from the float bowls while the bike has been standing. The carb float bowls are fed by a low pressure pump and this needs a bit of cranking before it can refill the float bowls to the correct level. The float bowls themselves are the bottom chamber on the carbs, and the level of fuel in them is controlled by a float valve, much like the one in a water tank or toilet cistern. If the fuel level is low, insufficient fuel is delivered to the jets. The pump that feeds them is vacuum driven. Its the thing that looks like a can of tuna, on the right hand side of the bike, between the cylinders. Its not a powerful pump and the engine needs a decent cranking to generate enough vacuum to drive it. The situation is obviously made worse if the pump is not in good condition .. and the inner rubber diaphragm is a potential weak point and can deteriorate, particularly if the bike is left unused for a long period and it dries out. And also, if the battery isn't giving the engine a good spin, then the pump likewise will not be driven well. So a poor battery may aggravate the situation. Also a poor earth connection from the battery to the chassis will sap its power .. it might be worth unbolting the lead and cleaning everything up to ensure a good connection as corrosion here is common in older bikes.

08-07-2017, 09:02 PM	#4
Wildfire Guest Posts: n/a	Sounds like a good explanation from Darren. Couple with the hot weather the floats will empty a lot quicker.

09-07-2017, 04:13 PM	#6
Hinty Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for your replies, all very useful and makes sense! The earth connector looks good and don't suspect the battery to be an issue at this time, but I could be mistaken. I will look at getting a tender and see if that makes it any better. I bumped started it yesterday and tried it again this morning and started without any hesitation. I guess i should just use it more...