[dpar]

Lately, if the bike is warm and I even happen to crack the throttle just a bit before cranking, the bike won't crank through. It just seems to crank up to compression but won't crank through. If I wait for 10 minutes or so, it will start.
Could this be a battery getting weak? It's the original battery about 3 years old.

 

[glennt269]

could be the battery.

 

[mooneydriver]

Have you checked to see if "headlight" is deactived prior the starter rolling the engine? Start switch is designed to shut headlight off when the starter motor is energized then headlight comes back on when start switch is released.

 

[dpar]

yup, headlight goes off while starting. Battery cables are wrench tight and clean, as well.
I'll probably get a new battery anyway. I don't really want to get stranded and have to look for some help to push it.:icon_redf

 

[sludge2112]

If by cranking over, you mean it turns over good...the starter rotates the motor at a reasonable speed, but it just doesn't fire...How do the plugs look? Any carb mods or adjustments done? These batteries are kind of expensive and I wouldn't just replace it for the sake of replacing it.

 

[dpar]

When i say it doesn't crank over, I mean it stops cranking at the compression stroke as if it was hydraulic locking. After waiting a while, it will crank and fire normally. It acts as if it didn't quite have enough umph to get it over the compression stroke.
If I am careful not to touch the throttle when the bike is hot, then it will crank and fire up normally.

 

[sludge2112]

That does sound like a weak battery then. Sorry...they had ya all set...good luck and ride safe bro.

 

[Donut]

Weak battery. It could be going south. How old is the battery. That is a typical symptom of a cell going bad.
Also it is not the starter.

 

[dpar]

Battery is about 3 yrs old.
Ya, I didn't think it would be the starter.
I'll stick a new battery on there.It's probably due anyway.

 

[5.elements]

I have had batteries last as long as... 2 years for a standard battery and 3 years for a "gel" one... I would say replace it.

 

[porkchop1965]

My battery is 6 months old. My bike does the same deal...except I don't have to wait 10 mins...
Cold......turns right over.....Hot engine....usually gets half a crank out...stops...then I hit it again and off she fires....I've just figured it to be built up compression. I dunno