Extremely hard starts...
03-06-2009, 11:49 AM
#1
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Superstock
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 342
Extremely hard starts...
Well my new vtr is not running great, but at least it runs, eventually. In the morning I usually have to hook it up to a battery charger because it will undoubtedly run the battery low before it wants to start. Once it does, it's easy to get started again all day. I can park at school for 5 hours and it will start right up. Temperature doesn't seem to matter and I try to start it every way possible. Choke, no choke, gas, no gas, full throttle, and any combination of those, it doesn't matter. Still takes forever. Any suggestions guys?
03-06-2009, 02:05 PM
#3
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SuperSport
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Central Fl.
Posts: 530
It takes a lot of Oomph to start a big twin cold. Look to the battery connections, the condition of the battery and how corroded is the connection between the ground strap and the frame or engine?
Mine had symptoms much the same and correcting those faults cured it. And it now dislikes the choke when cold.
Mine had symptoms much the same and correcting those faults cured it. And it now dislikes the choke when cold.
03-06-2009, 03:34 PM
#6
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SuperSport
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North Wales, PA
Posts: 809
replace your RR. mine was doing that last year. I would have to hit the button and then slowly pull the choke out till it caught. it was turning over, but too slowly to catch. it was the RR. it had lost charge overnight. and same as you, once it was going I'd ride to work and when I went home, it fired up no prob. until it didn't. I stopped at a gas station on my way home one night, and when I went to start it, all my electrics were dead. I had to coast it down a sidewalk for a mile to get it home. new finned RR later, good as new, no probs since. sometimes those RR's will die very slowly. mine was doing it for the majority of the season before it finally quit. so several months at least.
03-07-2009, 10:46 AM
#7
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Superstock
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Join Date: Feb 2009
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well i guess i wasn'ty very clear. i don't think it's an electrical issue... it cranks over for about as long as i'd expect any bike to, the problem is it just cranks with no start. the plugs did not look sooty, much to my dismay. however, after leaning out the needle one notch it rides much better until i get to wot but thats a different headache... anyway it may have solved the issue. a bit early to tell for certain but i think it did the trick. thanks again for all the tips guys.
03-07-2009, 02:07 PM
#10
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SuperSport
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Thornwood, NY
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What's the temp like where your at? If it's near/below 40... my bike pretty much won't start without cranking it forever... if it starts at all.
Once it's near 50 or above... little choke and it fires in like 3 seconds the first time, and almost instantly for the rest of the day after ridden...
J.
Once it's near 50 or above... little choke and it fires in like 3 seconds the first time, and almost instantly for the rest of the day after ridden...
J.
03-07-2009, 02:50 PM
#11
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Superstock
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nebraska
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After it's been ridden it's fine. It is a bit chilly here, i think it's about 40 today, but my little fzr600 started right up into the negatives... is that so much to ask for? haha It may have something to do with my choke nut (the little plastic one on the carb) being broken... How do you guys have your carbs set up? My pilot screws are 2 1/2 turns out and I have 190 and 195 mains with the needle on the 3rd notch down. I have a UNI foam filter and custom exhaust. I'm curious to see what you guys have...
03-07-2009, 08:14 PM
#12
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SuperSport
SuperSport
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 880
I'll check the valves clearances, they tend to be tight when cold.
You may have a flooded engine if the petcock and floats leak fuel.
Or the mix is simply too lean to start.
How fast it cranks and how quickly it comes to life when it does ??
You may have a flooded engine if the petcock and floats leak fuel.
Or the mix is simply too lean to start.
How fast it cranks and how quickly it comes to life when it does ??
03-07-2009, 08:39 PM
#13
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MotoGP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 3,451
If you smell fuel, try cranking a couple of times with the throttle slightly open to clear the flooded condition, then give it some choke and try again.
If mine has sat for several days this time of year, it's a hard to start as well. If I start it and warm it up daily, whether I ride it or not, it starts easier.
This is where Fuel Injection shows its worth.
If mine has sat for several days this time of year, it's a hard to start as well. If I start it and warm it up daily, whether I ride it or not, it starts easier.
This is where Fuel Injection shows its worth.
03-08-2009, 08:32 AM
#14
Member
Squid
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 42
tight valves = hard starts
+1 - could be tight exhaust valves
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