2001 f4I bike runs 4 a while need HELP??

Well this is how it goes my bikes been stored for a while since it was raining so much in Tracy CA, I charged the battery 2 its fullest.
Started the bike & it ran so I was letting it warm up when it died on me.
I tryd 2 start it up again nothing.
I pulled out the battery all the juice was gone I charged it again & it ran for a while then again it died, dead batt again.
Do these bikes have an alternator & if so any1 know what they look like & were there located on the bike so I can replace it?

If any1 thinks its something else let me know I want to be able to ride with this nice weather were experiencing.
Thanx 4 any help in advance! :smile:

First off, I would try a new battery. It seems as though sport bike batteries can die quickly and not be brought back to life. I have friends with F4I's. Their bikes seem to be sensetive to the battery conditions. If the charge drops a little, the bikes run like crap. On the other hand, if I can bump start my gixxer with a semi-dead battery, it will run fine. For some reason, the F4I's electronics need a full charge.

The alternator is inside the motor. It should be on the left side of the motor. If you think the charging system is taking a dive, check the voltage regulator. On most sport bikes, it is hidden in the tail somewhere. Good luck. Electrical problems can be a pain.

Hey than-x I will look into those things.

BTW my brother in law wanted to ride the bike, he told me this last night he got in patient & he hooked up the charger onto the batt while it was sitting in the bike still connected & tryd 2 start it he said it made this weird nose like click click click click click click click click click click click click click click & the light just dimed.
After there was some juice the key in ignition on start kept making this tic tick tic tick
tic tick tic tick sound like something was trying to complete a circuit but wasnt connecting.

I beleive this might of fryd something either the voltage reg or the alternator, I checked all fuses all good(at least the 1's under the seat is there any more any were else?). :loser:

If the battery is charged, the bike should start even with a bad alternator.

I am not sure where all of the fuses and relays are hidden on your bike. I do not know what the noises could be. The FI systems on my gixxer will make noise when the bike is not running.

For the most part, the electrical system on a bike is not as robust as the electrical system in a car or truck. The battery should be disconnected when you are charging it. Definatly do not try to jump start a bike with a charger or other another battery. If you someone is intent on getting the bike started, I would recommend charging the battery and then try to pop start the bike.

thnx 4 the info, I just talked to a friend & he said he did the same setps I mentioned & he replaced his battery & it was all good after that thn-x 4 your help! :naughty:

I have the same bike as you, redvalkrie, even the color. Does your bike make a chain slapping sound within the engine between 4500 and 5000 rpm? I am having that issue and have been told to change out the tensioner. The bike has about 24,000 miles on it.

I havent had that noise at all, I will keep that in mind when mine starts making noise. :eek7:

I have the same bike as you, redvalkrie, even the color. Does your bike make a chain slapping sound within the engine between 4500 and 5000 rpm? I am having that issue and have been told to change out the tensioner. The bike has about 24,000 miles on it.

Yea that would be the cam chain tensioner. Hondas are bad for them going out. I'm really surprised that it hasn't went out already on you. They usually go bad within the first 10000 miles or so. I suggest that you have the manual APE tensioner put back on if you have yours changed. Otherwise you will just be changing it out again later down the road.. :2cents:

:naughty: thanx 4 the input my bike only has 1,800miles on it I barley get to ride it.
I have been looking for partners 2 ride with but I am lonely here in Cali Tracy area I really dont know any1 + my job sucks the life out of me so the weekends are spent with my sone doing house work lawn fixing the cars or shopping with the wife, the only me time is on the toilet bowl & when I am a sleep.

One of these 3day weekends I want to ride with some people.
This is my second bike my first one was stolen & that one I racked up 10,000miles on.

:naughty: thanx 4 the input my bike only has 1,800miles on it I barley get to ride it.
I have been looking for partners 2 ride with but I am lonely here in Cali Tracy area I really dont know any1 + my job sucks the life out of me so the weekends are spent with my sone doing house work lawn fixing the cars or shopping with the wife, the only me time is on the toilet bowl & when I am a sleep.

One of these 3day weekends I want to ride with some people.
This is my second bike my first one was stolen & that one I racked up 10,000miles on.


I working on 16000 right now on my 01 f4i. It's held up quite well on long road trips to date... I think I'm going riding now

Well so far the bike isnt runing, it seems my batt is dead & either the regulator or the alternator needs replacing been trying to get some diagrams for were the regulator & the alternator are located at so I can test each one but have had no luck so far. :disappoin

If any one has a manual with some pics if you could please post it or e-mail it to me I would be very gratefull. :) :rofl:

Well so far the bike isnt runing, it seems my batt is dead & either the regulator or the alternator needs replacing been trying to get some diagrams for were the regulator & the alternator are located at so I can test each one but have had no luck so far. :disappoin

If any one has a manual with some pics if you could please post it or e-mail it to me I would be very gratefull. :) :rofl:


http://216.37.204.206/Snhonda/Honda_OEM/HondaMC.asp?Type=12&A=204

I have a manual on cd rom, but can't find it right now. This is a good website that you can access directly from Honda to get diagrams for your bike. This is where I've been getting mine lately...

Hope this helps :biggrin:

There are 2 quick and easy ways to find the cause of the problem.

First you need to charge the battery, by either taking it to a any auto shop or some auto parts store. Then put it back on thebike. Connect everything back to the battery, but do NOT tighten down the positive terminal on the battery, just leave it sitting there with a decent connection to the post. Now start the bike, and once it is somewhat warmed up, remove the positive terminal from the batter. If your generator/alternator is doing its job, the bike will continue to run, If it is bad, the engine will stop.

If the bike continues to run, but the lights and such dim visibly when you take off the battery terminal. I would get a voltage reader and make sure that it is putting out the necessary wattage and volt outputs.

If the engine is running, and does not dim anything when the battery terminal is removed. Then I would open your battery and check to see if the cells are dry or not. And then take it to a auto parts store that has a battery tester.

Anyways hope that helps.

Thanx that web site with diagrams helped, know I know were tha alternator is at. :iceslolan