won't start, help diagnose?

[apaiva]

So my bike has generally been very reliable and mostly free of issues.  Last week I rode it about 150 miles sunday, 30 miles or so tuesday, and then I parked it.  I don't know if it's related but I have to assume so but I parked it tuesday night and didn't put the cover on because I thought I'd use it the next day.  It ended up pouring rain all wednesday and thursday and the bike was outside and uncovered.
Anyways, I went to start the bike thursday night and it wouldn't start. I tried charging the battery even though I didn't think that was the issue and it didn't change anything.  When I turn the key and flip the on switch, all lights light up as normal, but when I push the start button, it just kinda seems to choke and makes this pathetic whiny sound.  See the video below to really hear it.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem is?  Like I said, I assume it is related to the rain somehow, but maybe that's just coincidental.  If anyone has any ideas, is there anything I can do to confirm the problem source?
I'm new to this maintenance stuff so I don't really know what I'm doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzvSt7G_WtI&feature=youtu.be

[Bob_Roller]

Check to see if you have the OEM black and gray ignition coil .

If you do, it develops cracks in the case and fails in damp weather .

I would remove at least one spark plug and check the color of the spark, if you have the old coil, it's probably a red or orange spar, not the white/blue it should be .

[nhmaf]

It sounds like the battery has at least some decent charge as it is turning the starter motor well enough.
It could very possibly be the dreaded crack-o-matic coil issue that afflicts all of these bikes eventually.

Just to be sure that you didn't somehow end up with water in the carbs somehow, I'd drop the bowls on the carbs and make sure that there is fuel and not water in them, and check for crud buildup/blockage in the bottom.   There is a tiny orifice in the front corner of each bowl that feeds the enricher circuit inthe carbs - if that tiny hole gets blocked the "choke" is starved of gas.

Then, proceed as Bob indicates on checking for spark at the plugs - plug should be grounded against the cylinder when checking for spark - you could use a bungee cord or something similar to hold the side of the plug against the cylinder firmly to avoid possibly giving yourself a jolt or possibly damaging the ignition control unit.

[apaiva]

Bob, I haven't checked the spark plugs but I do have the oem ignition coil and actually know that it's cracked. It's on my to-do list already so maybe this means I should get around to doing it.
I guess that seems the likely culprit?

[nhmaf]

If that isn't the culprit, it certainly isn't helping you any!
You can get a factory new coil, or, for less money
People get very good results with the Dyna "brown" coil (it actually looks orange) as a replacement and you can get it from Rick at MotorradElektrik.com
http://www.motoelekt.com/ignition.htm

I use this coil myself (and many others here do as well).   If your plug leads/caps are old, may as well consider treating the ol girl to a new set of those too!  The NGK cables and caps work well and  are  not prone to colelcting water and shorting like the metal capped OEM cables sometimes do.

[Session101]

Step 1) pulling the plugs but keeping them connected to the wires and let them rest on the heads and turn over the engine a few times, do you have spark? what is the health of the spark?

if so then
Step 2) any luck with giving it gas when its cranking? does it sputter and want to start?
Is gas getting to the carbs? are the floats stuck or set improperly?
I would just check the bowls

still stumped? go see BOB

[jakebass12]

im having the same problem. and my starter coil is cracked.
so are the ones from http://www.motoelekt.com/ignition.htm have a better more powerful spark or are they just the same as a new stock one?

[Justin B.]

If you have the stock spark plug wires they are prone to short out to the metal covers when old and wet.

[Bob_Roller]

The DYNA ignition coil is probably the last coil you will need .

It puts out the same voltage as the OEM coil .

I purchased a second generation red and black OEM coil and only got 8 years of use before it failed .

The DYNA coil is less costly than an OEM coil .

And as Justin mentioned, old ignition leads will fail in damp conditions as well .

[apaiva]

I ordered new Dyna coils and plugs and wires last week from motoelekt, should have them in a day or two.
Any tips (or full on instructions) for doing the replacement?
Are there any non-standard tools I need?

[k_enn]

Pretty much just a a straight remove and replace.  No special tools needed.  Just make sure you have good contact and no shorts or frayed wires.  

[Bob_Roller]

About the only thing that may cause you problems, is the wire connections at the coil .

The coil has male wire terminals that are secured to the coil with straight slot large area head screws .

If you have the terminal pointed outwards from the coil, when the wire from the bikes electrical system is put on, when you install the tank, it moves the wire and terminal, in my case, it grounded the connection and caused the ignition not to work .

I would point the terminal  towards the frame tube .

One of the screw heads is quite close to the screw that holds the coil to the adapter mount, make sure the two aren't touching when you get done .

I'd get pictures, but the fuel tanks are full on the bikes .

[Ed Miller]

Pretty much just a a straight remove and replace.  No special tools needed.  Just make sure you have good contact and no shorts or frayed wires.  

Don't you need to make or buy an adaptor for the Dyna to fit in the factory location?  

[Bob_Roller]

If you order it from Motorrad Elektrik, the adapter plate comes with the coil .

[montmil]

If you order it from Motorrad Elektrik, the adapter plate comes with the coil .

...along with a photo-install direction sheet noting areas of caution. Easy install. Have Dyna "browns" on both my R65s and will not ride anything else.