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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 7 Oct 2011
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KLE 500 Starting Issues

I have a 2007 KLE 500 that seems to have an electrical problem when starting. About 50% of the time I try to start there is nothing and then all of a sudden it fires and starts as it should so that's why I think it is electrical. Can anybody please help me if they have heard of this issue or at least where I should start looking for the problem?
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  #2  
Old 8 Oct 2011
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My kle hasn't had this problem, but have had this on other motors.
a common culprit is the starter relay, you have a heavy copper contacts that are shoved together by a solenoid, a bit of arcing gives corrosion and a dicky contact.
I have unsoldered, stripped and cleaned contacts before successfully, if it comes apart, it's worth taking a bit of fine emery to the contacts, cleaner alone wont shift the arc damage.
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  #3  
Old 11 Oct 2011
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Plus one on the starter relay solution. May also pay to use an electrical cleaner spray on the handlebar switchblock as well. Spray a suitable cleaner lubricant into each switch and operate a dozen or so times whilst giving an extra squirt now and again. Doesn't hurt to do this every six months or so, to minimize surface corrosion. More so if it is not being used everyday, left outside in the elements etc.

Hope you have already solved the initial problem without drama.

Enjoy the ride.

Shaun
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  #4  
Old 29 Apr 2012
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Hi. a good idea is to work out if it is sparking, this is pretty easy, you can take the spark plug out, put it back in the spark plug cap and turn it over with it next to the engine so it earths, there should be a visible spark jumping across. if it is sparking it is probably a fuel problem.
i had a similar problem on my kle and it was the pilot jets on the carbs needed cleaning. i gave all the jets a good clean and got a little piece of copper wire and threaded it through the pilot jets a few times back and forward. . .
not too difficult but need the right screwdrivers and need to be careful with the carb screws as they seem to be pretty weak - i ended up replacing them with stainless steel ones after mangling one or two of them. . .
good luck!
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  #5  
Old 13 May 2012
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I have had starting issues as well. The lights etc turn on and I push the starter button and nothing.

The culprit is the side stand switch getting gunked up and sticking. WD40 and jiggling it about has got the bike going again.
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  #6  
Old 15 May 2012
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There is also the clutch switch on the bars which can have issues (my side stand switch was disconnected years ago..)
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