05xman

For the last few weeks or so it seems that my bike is having a hard time starting. I'll have the choke all the way out and crack the throttle and she wants to crank 15 or 20 seconds before she will start. Any ideas?

trinc

you shouldn't open the throttle. just pull the choke ( if needed ) and hit the starter.

tim

Hawkrider

How often do you ride it?

05xman

almost every day.

Hawkrider

There's a couple of things that could cause hard starting out of the blue, and IMO they are all maintenance-type things.
- First, spark plugs. Check gap, condition, and tightness of plug wire boots.
- Second is air filter. Did you suck up a bird? Mouse nest? Even a large leaf. I've heard of stranger things.
- Probably not a carb issue unless you've taken them off or messed with them. By chance is there any gasoline smell near the bike after shutdown? Maybe there is a leaking bowl drain?
- How about bad gas? Same station fillup to fillup? Discount gas or major brand?
- Probably not a coil issue since if they go bad the first signs are when hot, not when cold.

I'm out of ideas so go check that stuff and get back with us.

Oh, how does it run after it's started? Normal?

HondaJim

Check what Hawkrider said. Also check the condition of the vacuum line from the rear cylinder to the petcock. Make sure it doesn't have any leaks, cracks, crimps, etc.