I finally got to start work on my 2007 F4 1000R that I bought last July from a Copart auction. It came without any keys, so I had the local locksmith make new keys ( it's a Suzuki ignition switch if that wasn't already known). I started the by giving the bike a good wash. It was very dirty from sitting in the auction yard. After washing the bike I gave the whole bike a spray of WD40 and wiped it down completely.

The original battery was completely dead so I had previously bought and charged a new Yuasa battery. The Airbox, Tank and Seat have been removed and I fitted the new battery and refitted and connected the ignition switch. The empty fuel tank was rested in place and the plug reconnected.

On turning on the ignition I got a red light in the oil pressure warning light and a green light in the neutral light, neither looked very strong. I could only get the faintest, barely audible, sound from the horn, no lights, dash, starter, turn signals etc. The new battery shows 13.5V so appears to be good. The fuses in the fuse box on the RHS are all good.

The front turn signals are not connected, nor is the tail light, could any of these effect the electrical circuit not coming to life? Is there anything else I should check? This was a crashed bike, so electrical problems were not expected. Could I have got water into somewhere critical when I washed the bike a week ago? If so where would be the likely cause. Could it be that the water is causing a false ground?

I'd really appreciate any help or guidance from the assembled experts here? This is such a cool bike, I can't wait to get it running, give it some real TLC, and get it back on the road, but is so completely dead I don't even know where to start.

Thanks,

Ian
SoCal

Hi Ian. Sorry that I can't help your technical problem. I merely want to congratulate you on bringing this great bike back to life. No doubt when the US boys come online, you'll get fairly close to having the problem solved.

I am presuming you have downloaded the workshop manuals that are available via this site?

It looks like you are about to get a crash course in electronics. What are your skills like? Are you used to doing your own work?

Use the manual, there is a flow chart that can help you through this sort of issue - on the assumption that you have installed the new battery correctly - on it’s side and with the correct wires attached to the correct terminals.

I would suggest that you clean every electrical connection on the bike especially the Earth points on the engine and frame
As it was a crashed bike I would also go through the loom to make sure the wiring is not damaged anywhere
I assume you have changed the oil etc before trying to start it

Have a look at the main fuse connectors and the plug that goes into the starter relay. Known to cause problems with bad connections. Head to the main switch and see that you have full battery voltage at the power wire coming from the main fuse there. Then at the wire coming out when the key is turned on.

And as already suggested, check the ground wires!!! You did install the battery with correct polarity I trust????

@Ianashdown: Ian, if I may, I am going to start with the very basic tenant of polarity. There have been many who have installed a new battery in reverse polarity and this does bad things to the electronics.

The battery in the F4 (and most, if not all, other models of MV) is to be installed with the negative post forward. This means the AGM battery is installed on its side.

Note that there are TWO LEADS on the negative terminal.

Hi,
Yes, I have the manuals and they are quite good! I didn't find the flow chart very helpful as I just ended up at 'take to MV specialist'.

I do plan to do all my own work, and I have a good set of mechanical skills, but I am not confident in one area : you guessed it - electronics! One would have to be quite creative to install the battery wrong! It is on its side and correctly installed.

Thank you for the suggestions, they all help!

Ian
SoCal

Hi,
Yes, I'm working my way through the entire harness to look for 'issues', bad earths etc. The bike was crashed quite gently! The damage was almost entirely cosmetic, with the exception of a small ding in the front wheel.

I'm trying to start the bike yet, just to try and bring back its pulse! I normally will start the bike once, run it to temp and then replace the oil, filter etc

Thanks,

Ian
SoCal