Breva 1100 Starting Problem

[derek533]

Hey guys, went to go for a ride tonight and my bike wouldn't start. 

Dash came on, all needles on the gauge cluster ran their sweep across as normal and then nothing.  A couple of clicks like it's trying to turn the starter over but it won't, and the bike goes dead and then resets. 

Any ideas? 

[Bisbonian]

Check you battery connections for tightness and cleanliness. Check the other end of the negative cable as well.

[rdbandkab]

Has the startus interruptus fix been performed?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Im with Bisbonian, scrape the battery terminals and apply some grease to keep the Oxide at bay, same for the main ground.

Rdbandkab is also right on, it's not a matter of if Startus Intruptus it's when

And Kiwi Dave also if your battery is old

[Kiwi Dave]

Or the battery is poked!

[derek533]

Has the startus interruptus fix been performed?

How would I know or be able to tell?  I bought the bike a year ago from a local dealer. 

I should add that the battery shows nominal voltage 13.1 and 100% when hooked up to my charger. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

How would I know or be able to tell?  I bought the bike a year ago from a local dealer. 

I should add that the battery shows nominal voltage 13.1 and 100% when hooked up to my charger.

Pull the start relay, the 30 contact (labeled 3 on this drawing) in the base should be alive even with the key Off if the fix has been done.
If it turns off with the key it hasn't been fixed.
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/schematics/2005_Breva_1100.gif
The fix is very easy on the Breva 1100, just snip the yellow wire and extend it to a 20 Amp in-line fuse direct from the battery
Use # 16 or 14 yellow wire and don't forget to tape up the other yellow
The new wire goes battery + to fuse to relay 3 terminal 3

Update; Your symptoms don't point to Startus interuptus they indicate a badly connected or weak battery
Instruments fire up
Starter engages and sucks the Voltage down
Start by refreshing the connections it only takes a minute and costs nothing.
I assume you put it on charge after it wouldn't crank.

You could connect it to the 30 Amp fuse that goes to generator and power outlet if you don't want to add a fuse
The starter solenoid will now have an inrush of 40 Amps, where it should be and it will start like never before.

Mackers pointed out another weak point, then there's the relays but that won't take the dash down.

[Mackers]

A problem I had with my Breva 1100 early on was that the female connector to the tab on the starter solenoid was a poor fit.  I could move it so that it would not provide a connection.  Tightened it with pliers - solved.

[derek533]

Thanks for all the advice fellas.

Turns out it was a bad connection at the battery.  There wasn't a whole lot of corrosion but I still scraped the terminals and negative cable real good with a metal brush and applied a generous amount of Vaseline. 

You guys are awesome 

[Bisbonian]

Free is the best cost for a repair.

[rdbandkab]

I'd still do the "startus interuptus" mod.   

[Kiwi_Roy]

I'd still do the "startus interuptus" mod.   

Me to, it's not if, it's when

You won't have that problem again
Vaseline, gods gift to electrical connections
I have seen a battery disconnect in less than a month even though the terminals are tight.
Lead Oxide creeps in between the post and the lug, grease keeps the oxygen out, no oxygen, no lead oxide

[travelingbyguzzi]

Breva/Norge bikes are VERY sensitive to poor battery connections. Do the simple, easy thing and clean those terminals

[Darren Williams]

How ya doing, cross town dude?

To check and see if the Startus Interuptus has been done, look at your positive terminal of the battery and see if a wire is making it's way to relay under the seat.  My homemade went through a fuse and was soldered, but the store bought (like from MPH) will go thru a connector.  The key is the fused hot wire from the battery.

They are not to hard to make up and install. There are some good explanations and how=to instructions that guys here have put together.  Good luck.