VS800 Rider!

[Pio412]

Hello everyone my name is Marco and I live in Pittsburgh, PA. My day job is a CAD designer for a coal mining and infrastructure company. I just picked up a 2000 Intruder VS800 for $1000 with only 7000 miles on it. Its having some starting issues which I'm trying to sort out.. (thank God its winter). I'm looking forward to getting advice on these machines and meeting everyone. Thanks and God bless.

https://ibb.co/crsn49R

[sgtcall]

Welcome to the forum!

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[sgtcall]

For the starting issue the first thing to check on an Intruder is the battery. Even if you think it's good take the battery to an auto parts store and have it load tested. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight, use sandpaper to clean them. Don't forget to trace out the negative cable to where it grounds and clean it. When putting the battery back in add star washers to the terminal bolts, they tend to vibrate loose and the star washers will keep them tight.

When starting it in the cold make sure to turn the enricher (choke) on then turn on the key, leave the clutch out and press the start button. You will hear the fuel pump prime the carbs. Once they are primed the pump should stop then pull the clutch and press start. This is assuming that your clutch safety has not been bypassed, if it has you can't prime the carbs.

If you don't already have one get a battery tender. You can hook up the lead to the two connection points at the bottom of your fuse box under the left side cover.

If you don't know how long it has been sitting fresh gas may help and be sure to check the tank for excessive gas.

If you need a service manual send me a PM with your email and I can send PDF version compliments of

Herb

.

[Pio412]

Awesome, Ill try those suggestions! Thanks for the advise sgtcall and ill send you a PM for that manual

[navigator]

Keep in mind that the 800 and 1400 are different.
The 800 is not wired for that priming feature.

[sgtcall]

Keep in mind that the 800 and 1400 are different.
The 800 is not wired for that priming feature.

[Herb]

Keep in mind that the 800 and 1400 are different.
The 800 is not wired for that priming feature.

The older 1400s aren't either. not sure when that was added to the 1400.

[sgtcall]

Pio412

Your picture disappeared, take a look here to see how to post pictures.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13992

[Pio412]

Pio412

Your picture disappeared, take a look here to see how to post pictures.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13992

fixed it...(i think)

Yeah I'm assuming its the battery.. the terminals on the old battery were corroded. I also removed it, noticed the fluid was bubbling when i was trickle charging it.. so i tested it and it was sitting at 10.5 volts. So i ordered a new battery, when that comes in hopefully it should fix the starting issue.-- (the starting solenoid was just rapidly clicking and the engine was not turning over) Gotta get some star washers as well..... and i plan on cleaning and sanding all connections to make sure i have excellent connectivity.

[sgtcall]

What battery did you order?

Getting one that fits is important but you also need one that has enough CCA for the bike and it is helpful if the terminals are bolted from the side not the top or front.

navigator

or

Herb

Can recommend a good battery for the 800.


Also trickle charging and a battery tender are different, you don't want to leave it on a charger for to long.

[navigator]

My Go To.
Shop around for best price.

[Pio412]

That's the exact battery I ordered. How should I store this for the winter? Keep it on a maintainer?

[sgtcall]

If it is in a garage keep it on a tender for at least a few hours each week.

[Pio412]

Okay so battery came in so I stuck it in made sure everything is tight and secure. Go to turn it over and it turns really slow, like the battery is low on power ( which it's not. It's a brand new motobatt). I also heard a squeaking/buzzing noise from a solenoid.. Checked voltage of battery before I stuck it in and it's 12.6v. Scary part is I noticed smoke coming from under the driver seat ( starter solenoid?) took off seat to check starter solenoid terminals and they were HOT. Checked Solenoid terminals with voltmeter and they read 12.48 volts. Hm. Now all the lights are out and the key does nothing..... checked all fuses and were good there. What's going on here? I also noticed a clicking under the passenger seat when I attempted to start it after waiting 10 minutes. I'm stumped now.

[sgtcall]

Clicking could be the fuel pump.

[Herb]

Sounds like you have a bad connection at the start solenoid.

[Pio412]

clicking isnt coming from the fuel pump and the connections are tight at the solenoid..,.

[Herb]

Note the area that was the hotest and search for a wire shorted to ground or burned out.

Check for power at the main fuse, if it isn't there, trace the main hot wire back to the tie point on the battery cable.

If the 800 is the same as the 1400 the hot wire from the battery goes to the start solenoid and a wire splits off of the battery cable for the fuse box and from the main fuse it goes to the ignition switch then back to the fuse box.

[Pio412]

Thanks herb I will do that when I get a chance.

Another quick note: if I let the bike sit for a few hours, the headlight and dash lights turn on as normal when I turn the key, but once I hit the start button. Everything goes out like I blew a fuse... but all fuses are fine.

[Herb]

That sounds like a massive short to ground that is draining the battery. I wonder if the problem is at the starter? If it is shorting out, it could cause the problems you are having.

While you are checking it out you need to have the battery tested. Draining it like that can damage it.