• Has your topic been discussed? Check this quick video for search tips. You answer/info might already be waiting!

CB650R HELP - Honda CB650R WILL NOT START! *SOLVED*

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
Hi there,

I am having issues starting my Honda CB650R 2019. To give some background to my predicament, I bought the bike used and it had previously sat for a month. It started up fine when I bought it, but the clutch plates needed to be replaced. I towed it home and it has sat in my garage for another month while I waited for parts to come in. I would start up the bike at least once a week to make sure it was running fine and I had no issues.

I recently opened the clutch cover and replaced the clutch plates. I am almost 99% sure that I did everything correctly (I am saying this so you know what you can eliminate as possible factors). However, I had to leave the clutch cover off for one night while I waited for my Permatex gasket sealer to arrive. After I finished installing the clutch cover, I let it sit for 24 for the gasket sealant to set. I then filled up the bike with oil to spec and tried to start the engine. When I turn the key on and switch the red switch on, I hear the noise of the fuel pump. I then hit the ignition and hear the engine loudly trying to start. It keeps turning over but nothing happens. I tried jump starting and that did not work. I tried putting fuel additives in the gas tank and tried engine starter in the air intake. Same thing every time. It is getting quite cold here at night and I am wondering if that is part of the problem. My next step will be to try and put a space heater beside it over night.

Does anyone have any thoughts? How do I get my bike started again?
 

Atucker

2019
CBR650R
Aug 18, 2020
Riding Since
2001
Have you tried the procedure for a flooded engine? Starting it and not running it is what created my flooded condition. How long are you holding the starter while it tries? Mine took what seemed to be forever to start but finally did after a lot of coaxing.
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
Have you tried the procedure for a flooded engine? Starting it and not running it is what created my flooded condition. How long are you holding the starter while it tries? Mine took what seemed to be forever to start but finally did after a lot of coaxing.
I have! I opened the throttle both for 5 seconds before pushing the ignition starter and have tried opening the throttle while pushing the ignition starter. I have held the starter from 10-15 seconds each time. I’m worried I’ll damage something if I hold any longer.
 

baugustine

2014
CBR650F
Staff
May 21, 2016
Ventura, CA
A few things here I’m struggling with.

1, Why replacing clutch packs on a (virtually) new bike?
2. Confirm the basics (kill switch, side stand switch, roll-over sensor, etc)
3. Check for spark while cranking
4. Fuel pressure?
5. Opening the throttle while cranking puts the ECM in clear flood mode and the injectors are disabled.
6. Check you make sure all electrical connectors are plugged in
 

MrFritz86

2019
CB650R
Sep 28, 2019
Nashville, TN
From the shop manual

Starter motor turns, but engine does not turn
• Faulty starter clutch
• Damaged starter reduction gear/shaft
• Damaged or faulty starter motor pinion gear
• Damaged starter driven gear

Also did you reconnect properly the CKP sensor?
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
A few things here I’m struggling with.

1, Why replacing clutch packs on a (virtually) new bike?
2. Confirm the basics (kill switch, side stand switch, roll-over sensor, etc)
3. Check for spark while cranking
4. Fuel pressure?
5. Opening the throttle while cranking puts the ECM in clear flood mode and the injectors are disabled.
6. Check you make sure all electrical connectors are plugged in
Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

1. The previous owner drag raced the clutch and burned out the plates entirely.
2. Done.
3. Do I have to take the gas tank off to access the spark plugs on the Honda CB650R?
4. How do I check fuel pressure?
5. So I should not open the throttle while cranking.
6. Done.
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
From the shop manual

Starter motor turns, but engine does not turn
• Faulty starter clutch
• Damaged starter reduction gear/shaft
• Damaged or faulty starter motor pinion gear
• Damaged starter driven gear

Also did you reconnect properly the CKP sensor?

Yes I reconnected the CKP sensor no problem. Are these things difficult/expensive to repair?
 

Atucker

2019
CBR650R
Aug 18, 2020
Riding Since
2001
At this point it could be any number of issues. I would highly recommend stopping any additional work and having a professional take a look. Seems like quite a bit of questionable work has been completed up to this point; i.e. "99% sure" clutch installation, jump starting of a bike that had power, fuel additives, starter fluid, etc. If it wasn't easy fix that started it right up I would assume at this point you're in over your head based upon what has been mentioned in your post.
 

baugustine

2014
CBR650F
Staff
May 21, 2016
Ventura, CA
Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

1. The previous owner drag raced the clutch and burned out the plates entirely.
2. Done.
3. Do I have to take the gas tank off to access the spark plugs on the Honda CB650R?
4. How do I check fuel pressure?
5. So I should not open the throttle while cranking.
6. Done.

A fuel pressure gauge is connected inline on the fuel line. The adapter part #s are listed in the manual. You can access the plugs and coils with the tank tilted up and the air box removed (use a JIS screwdriver) . It ran before, I think you have something disconnected or pinched.
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020


For those who are interested, here is the link for the video. The manual speaks about this issue.

"Starter motor turns, but engine does not turn
• Faulty starter clutch
• Damaged starter reduction gear/shaft
• Damaged or faulty starter motor pinion gear
• Damaged starter driven gear"
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
At this point it could be any number of issues. I would highly recommend stopping any additional work and having a professional take a look. Seems like quite a bit of questionable work has been completed up to this point; i.e. "99% sure" clutch installation, jump starting of a bike that had power, fuel additives, starter fluid, etc. If it wasn't easy fix that started it right up I would assume at this point you're in over your head based upon what has been mentioned in your post.
I'm beginning to feel this way as well. The 99% was just a figure of speech. For all intents and purposes, the clutch pack was installed without defect. Fuel additives and starter fluid were recommended by professional mechanic.

After reading the manual, I think it may have to do with the clutch starter.
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
A fuel pressure gauge is connected inline on the fuel line. The adapter part #s are listed in the manual. You can access the plugs and coils with the tank tilted up and the air box removed (use a JIS screwdriver) . It ran before, I think you have something disconnected or pinched.

Helpful, thank you.
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
You're getting great advice from others on here so I will step back for the most part and let them work with you on this.

What I will do is state the obvious: it worked before you started, so you did something in disassembly or reassembly to make it not. I would grab the service manual and go back over exactly what you did to maybe find the error. It may very well be on the assembly of the clutch components under the cover.

I also would suggest the flooded procedure others have mentioned, you may need to hold it for the full 15 seconds with the throttle completely open a few times to get it to go. Just be sure to give it 20-30 seconds between tries to let the starter cool down. It seems counter intuitive to hold the throttle wide open but it does work and is an official Honda procedure.

If you are sure you have it put together right, a shot or two of starting fluid sprayed int he airbox will tell you if you have spark and compression and may start fouled plugs firing again.
 

bishop

2014
CBR650F
Mar 17, 2018
I think it's the safety switches, I think there are four of them.

Check or bypass.

Kill switch, side stand switch, tilt sensor, and clutch lever switch.
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
I think it's the safety switches, I think there are four of them.

Check or bypass.

Kill switch, side stand switch, tilt sensor, and clutch lever switch.
Is the tilt sensor under the gas tank as well?
 

jbvdveen

2019
CB650R
Nov 2, 2020
Riding Since
2020
You're getting great advice from others on here so I will step back for the most part and let them work with you on this.

What I will do is state the obvious: it worked before you started, so you did something in disassembly or reassembly to make it not. I would grab the service manual and go back over exactly what you did to maybe find the error. It may very well be on the assembly of the clutch components under the cover.

I also would suggest the flooded procedure others have mentioned, you may need to hold it for the full 15 seconds with the throttle completely open a few times to get it to go. Just be sure to give it 20-30 seconds between tries to let the starter cool down. It seems counter intuitive to hold the throttle wide open but it does work and is an official Honda procedure.

If you are sure you have it put together right, a shot or two of starting fluid sprayed int he airbox will tell you if you have spark and compression and may start fouled plugs firing again.
Very helpful! Thank you!
 
Top Bottom