Cold starts?

[Breed777]

Hey guys, today i had a major problem trying to start my bike... for about 10 mins it just wouldnt start using choke in various positions etc and throttle....

Then I tried putting choke on full.....and i tried starting bike while winding the choke back, and it feels like there is a certain point at about 3/4 choke when it is closer to starting.... then it finally caught, started and i rammed the choke back to full for a couple of minutes and shes going.


Firstly.... should it be this hard to start when cold?



Secondly.... Does this method of how i got her going seem normal?


Cheers guys

[Breed777]

Should also point out that my bike is being stored outside under under a blue plastic cover till I move in 2 weeks to a house with a double garage... Would this make a huge difference?

[Reido]

full choke, no throttle. then back off the choke when its going

[Hitcher]

My Zeal couldn't be started with the choke on. I used to wind on a bit of throttle, start the bike and then add the choke once it had fired up.

[Breed777]

I put the choke on full initially and she still didnt start

[vifferman]

You will have to find out what your bike needs in the way of choke, throttle, etc. If it's properly tuned and everything's adjusted right, then it shouldn't be a big deal, but some bikes can be a bit picky. The choke usually also opens the throttle a tad, so you shouldn't need any till the engin'es 'caught'. Try using no throttle and gradually winding the choke on until you (hopefully) hit that sweet spot. This may vary depending on how cold the weather is.

[wbks]

Should also point out that my bike is being stored outside under under a blue plastic cover till I move in 2 weeks to a house with a double garage... Would this make a huge difference?Like if it's getting too cold because its not in a warm shed? Well if it was cold enough to be really icy, than yes. Used to take quite a while to start my zxr back when I used to start it up at about 4:30 in the morning in the middle of winter and my battery was on the way out. But it won't get so much colder on your average night than it would in a shed. Not enough to make a difference to your engine starting at least. Does that answer your question?

[discotex]

My old ZXR was a little picky in the depth of winter.

Full throttle, press starter, after 1-2sec of cranking I'd crack the throttle and she'd started every time. Then had to put the choke back to half or it'd bog.

Bikes are like women. You'll just have to experiment :blip:

[CookMySock]

Check the spark plug gaps and condition.

Steve

[Breed777]

ok, so me being not very mechanically minded, whats the easiest way to get to the plugs? and when I do, what do i look for, just signs of age?

[CookMySock]

ok, so me being not very mechanically minded, whats the easiest way to get to the plugs? and when I do, what do i look for, just signs of age?This is the sort of thing you need to be shown, and theres lots and lots of helpful-sort of bikers in your area. Can someone go help this chap out?

Steve

[awayatc]

My bikes have Carburators (not injection) and when I twist the throttle a little "pump" squirts petrol.
One of my bikes needs One twist of throttle first, then full choke.
Starts first click always.
The other needs 2 twists, then push starter while gradualy opening choke....
always works!

But as has been mentioned above:Yo need to make sure you got good sparkplugs first!

[CookMySock]

Bring it over here if you need some help, bro. The "workshop" is always open here for (most) bikers.

Steve

[Maki]

Outside under a blue plastic cover!
When you put the cover on your bike it is early evening or late afternoon. The air is still warm. At night it cools. The air contains moisture. When the air cools the moisture condenses and causes all sorts of problems for your bike. Not starting is only one of them. Rust is another.

Stop keeping your bike under a plastic cover and get one that lets the air flow through or don't cover it at all.

The garage will make a huge difference.

[meteor]

I had a real prob with a Suzuki too. I do it by giving it two full throttle turns then full choke then hit the starter with no throttle. Seems to work for me but I think mine is a pumper type carb.

[Ixion]

Just thank your lucky stars for electric legs. Back in the day they were even harder to start and we had to kickstart them!

Every bike has its own technique. Just a matter of trial and error to find what works. Always worth asking the previous owner when buying a bike.