VL 125 problem

Brain picking time.

My work colleague has a Suzuki vl 125 that won't start on the button from cold.
It has a carb and a manual choke.
Bump starts so easily from a walking pace in second gear, then runs like a dream.
starts on the button when warm.
Battery charged and in order.
choke works when engine is running, so cable is ok I think.
plugs are a bit oily, so replacing plugs when they arrive, then check new plugs later.
.....any ideas if that don't work?

Hi Badger, I do know that the starter motors on these bikes are prone to failure but as this one is turning over, it's obviously OK. 
We had a problem with Sarah's VL 125 not starting but that was due to blocked jets so that's not the problem with yours. Also,  the plugs soot up badly if you leave them running on the choke too long but again, not the cause in your case.
That's probably the longest winded way of saying "no idea" that you've ever come across ! - sorry I can't help further. 
All I would say us that if the battery is not charged well, it's unlikely to start the bike ( thats from experience by the way ) so tell your mate to either charge his battery fully or buy a new one if it won't charge well / properly

Try jump starting it from another bike battery? Did that a few times on the YBR after it'd been stood a while with a couple of 'off cuts' of wire linking the two batteries together, Rough? yes! but it gave the YBR battery that little boost it needed to fire the thing up    Final outcome? Bought a new battery because it didn't have enough oomph. Is oomph even a word? Must be! spell checker hasn't picked it up lol.

simbo wrote:

Try jump starting it from another bike battery? Did that a few times on the YBR after it'd been stood a while with a couple of 'off cuts' of wire linking the two batteries together, Rough? yes! but it gave the YBR battery that little boost it needed to fire the thing up    Final outcome? Bought a new battery because it didn't have enough oomph. Is oomph even a word? Must be! spell checker hasn't picked it up lol.

As Sim said, connect another battery and see how it goes. Changing spark plugs is also worth doing as the spark might not be as good as it should be, my VFR was a pig to start but the spark looked ok, changed the plugs when I serviced it and it started a lot better.

Check out that battery first, I've had brand new bateries that have been faulty which can really put you off the scent of a problem, good luck

Thanks guys.
I'll try those new plugs, then maybe try the battery off my cbf 125, as it's almost new, and starts the Honda every time.

Intriguing ..................
Changed the plugs for new ... won't start on button, but bumps in second with almost no effort.  .............
Swapped the battery from my Honda cbf 125 to the Suzuki, and it works.
The 'duff' battery, now on my Honda, starts it no problem.... wtf?
Maybe the Suzuki needs a bit more 'bang' to start it?  (The Honda is injection).
I'll try the Suzuki again in the morning, when it's stone cold, and if it works, I'll take it for a run, and check the colour of the new plugs. Would too rich a mixture show on plugs after a short run?

Badger wrote:

I'll try the Suzuki again in the morning, when it's stone cold, and if it works, I'll take it for a run, and check the colour of the new plugs. Would too rich a mixture show on plugs after a short run?

It'd be best to get it up to normal operating temps before taking a plug reading I'd have thought? Otherwise you'd just be getting a rich reading from the choke in operation for cold starting/running.

Started the bikes up from cold this morning, and they started on the button.  Problem solved.
Thanks for the replies guys.    I'll leave well alone with the batteries, and hope the 'duff' one don't affect my Honda.  I wouldn't think so, as I use the bike more. Meanwhile, I'll look out for offers on a bike battery optimiser for her.
I'll check the plugs after a good run out.     Thanks again.