EX500 issues

abkdt41

abkdt41

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I recently bought a Kawasaki Ninja EX500 with 41,000 kms

When I went to see it - the bike started no issues and ran smoothly - I rode it back from Welland w/o any problems

A week later I stopped at timmies for about ~30-40 mins but left the key in the ignition with the lights on

When I tried to start it, the battery was completely drained

A helpful push start got me on my way and rode the bike the rest of the day with no issues
The next day it started right up multiple times

A couple days later the battery was dead - no key in the ignition this time, parked in my garage
Push started again and ran all day

I took the battery to Canadian Tire - they charged it up for me and said the battery was good (the owner changed it 2 years ago)

After putting the battery back in, the battery started back up again, but its very moody

Some times it will start w/o any hesitation, other times it'll be so weak you cant even hear the starter

Mechanic checked it and said the electrical system is good too

Issue #2

After reinstalling the battery, the bike start behaving differently

First start was very rough and wouldn't stay on and died twice

On the third start I gave it some throttle and it stayed on but when I went for a ride - it started backfiring (pop from the exhaust)

I sent the bike to the mechanic and he said there was too much oil (1.5 L+), which he took out

I asked him about the carbs - said they were good too

Now the bike vibrates a lot at idle, and when its really cold has a hard time staying on


Not sure how to diagnose the problem - any suggestions would be helpful

I have also noticed the gas mileage is terrible - almost equivalent to my car - 15kms/L
 
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For issue #2, is it running on one cylinder or both?

Next time it happens, find a way to keep the engine running, and touch a wet rag to each exhaust pipe. Betcha one of them is cold.

Those bikes are notorious for broken wires on the low voltage side of the ignition coils - vibration fatigues the copper internally, the insulation will still look OK but the wire has broken away from the connector inside.
 
Put a new battery in, if it's not a yuasa it's probably game over after two years. One time I rode my ninja 250 to work, tried to go home bike wouldn't start, boosted bike engine ran but like **** and wouldn't move far. Had to push home put a new battery in worked like mint again. Did the mechanic or you check the air filter. If you had way too much oil the air filter would be soaked in oil, causing your bike to run like ****.

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Brian P said:
For issue #2, is it running on one cylinder or both?

Next time it happens, find a way to keep the engine running, and touch a wet rag to each exhaust pipe. Betcha one of them is cold.

Those bikes are notorious for broken wires on the low voltage side of the ignition coils - vibration fatigues the copper internally, the insulation will still look OK but the wire has broken away from the connector inside.
Click to expand...

You maybe right.

OP - Check your spark plugs specifically inside the cap. Most times the little copper ring can get damaged causing a misfire in one cylinder. Also make sure your idle is set correctly. Sounds like it is set to low causing it to run rough and cause difficult starting when cold. It should be 1200-1300rpm.
 
What Brian said. He knows these things.
Why sell it. Once this issue is fixed, it could be a fantastic bike.
I once sold a perfect Suzuki GS750 to a friend. He ran it out of gas and got a flat tire. Then he sold it saying it was unreliable???????
You are kind of doing the same thing.
Who's to say the next bike you buy won't do the same thing? Or worse?
 
I had an ex500 and the too much oil issue worries me. I had the vacuum lock off on the fuel tap go bad and it dumped fuel into the engine and into the oil pan. I would make sure that it wasn't fuel making your oil level go up too high. If so you are running a mixture of oil and gas and will ruin the engine.
 
I hooked up the battery to a tender and let it charge for a few hours

When i plugged the red light came on indicating low charge

After a while the green flashing light came on indicating 80% charged

I unplugged it and today when i plugged it back in just the red light was on

Could it just be a bad battery?

Is there a way to test the wires beyond a visual inspection? I don't want to but a new battery and have it ruined with a complete discharge. Could the lack of charge also cause misfire issues?
 
Yes it could just be a bad battery did you not read my post, a battery is like 100 bucks tops. Make sure your battery terminals are tight, and also if you want to check charging get a volt meter start the bike attach it to the battery and if it goes up to like 14volts your charging system is good to go for your new battery.

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OP, I have an EX500 also, if you can ride to the Beaches we can put my battery in your bike and see if it makes a difference.
My bike and battery are both running good.

PM me if you want to try.
 
SLaP said:
OP, I have an EX500 also, if you can ride to the Beaches we can put my battery in your bike and see if it makes a difference.
My bike and battery are both running good.

PM me if you want to try.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer slap

I'll try 2motors suggestion... Take it to my mechanic and have him check the voltage

I think considering the age, the battery was on its last leg and the complete drain killed it
 
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