My Ninja 500 won't start. Any ideas?

Question

I have a 2002 Ninja 500. I haven't started it since last August. I've recharged the battery using a battery tender but the engine won't turn over. I'd prefer to work on the bike myself but I've never done it before. Any ideas on what the problem might be and how I can fix it would be very helpful.

Answer 1

First off try draing the float bowls on the bottom of the carbs.Fuel goes bad fast in small amounts and that is the first step any experienced motorcycle tech would do.I`d also drain the fuel tank and add some fresh gas before trying to start it after draining the bowls.Give it full choke and no throttle.When you open the throttle you lose vaccum that is needed to pull the extra fuel from the enrichener(choke).It will take quite a bit of cranking to get fuel out of the tank into the carbs because it`s a vaccum operated petcock and won`t let fuel out unless vaccum is applied to it, unless there is a position on the petcock that says PRI that`s the prime position and it bypasses the vaccum portion and lets fuel flow directly into the carbsand save on your battery.After you get the carbs full it should start.If it won`t start or it won`t stay running after it gets warmed up and you turn the choke off you are going to need to get the carbs cleaned.This also applies if you get gas running out of the overflow tube.It`s a really good idea to drain the float bowls before you put your bike away for the winter or any extended period of time.The gas leaves behind a nasty residue that cloggs the jets and causes the floats to stick.It is also a good idea to fill the tank up and put sta-bil in the gas, this way your tank won`t rust and the gas will still be good in the spring.Good luck, I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Is the starter making noise like it is trying to turn the engine over. If its not, your battery is dead or there is probably a loose connection.



The engine may have seized in 9 months since. Put the bike in high gear and push it to turn the engine over manually. This may break the hold.

Answer 3

Change the plugs, drain the old gas a replace it with new... Worked for mine bro... Oh yeah the battery, you need a new one dude... good luck...

Answer 4

Check spark plugs and battery

Answer 5

no