Starting issues

[ducatilover]

Being a 250cc 4cyl, it should need the choke when cold as they don't like to idle under 1500rpm cold. It's just how small 4cyl are...
Can you clean the connections to the fuel pump?
Also, try running it with the fuel filler open, just top rule out if it's the tank vent.

[Gibbo89]

Where are you in chch? I might be able to shoot round and offer a second set of eyes (or ears) if you're around tonight, before you get it carted away.

I'm in the riccarton/fendalton area. I have (well it's the old mans) some tools to get the outer spark plugs out, possibly there is an attachment to get the inside ones out too, i'll go have a look. if you do want to come around that would be great.

[Gibbo89]

Yeh cool, jumper leads off car batt and wind over for 20 sec, let starter motor cool for a min then repeat untill started. quick way

Leaving overnight will maybe dry out 1 or 2 cylinders but the others have closed valves. leaving with plugs out will allow the fuel to evaporate as the cylinders are no longer sealed.

The vacumm test holes should be on the rubber intake runners under each carb facing the rear of bike, they have nipples with squeeze clips to remove. Squirt start ya bastard in them holes and crank over. is good when fuel not through carb properly.

Although I suspect its only flooded.

Good luck anyhows, you should be able to solve on your own. Its always more rewarding fixing yourself.

I've used choke twice over the last 60,000kms on various bikes. Both times frosty mornings and they actually started without just using choke, just I was able to let go of throttle and put gear on.

thanks. I'll let you know how I get on

[Gibbo89]

Well, after Neels came to lend a hand; he deduced that it was, like others had already diagnosed indeed flooded.

In all of my nooby-ness, I think I must have had the choke out and also used the throttle

The plugs kept getting covered in petrol, so some meths were covered on the spark plugs to repel the petrol that kept trying to get on them when the bike was started.

After a few attempts of trial and error, she fired up

Big thanks to Neels, he came with a multi meter and a big battery to help my one turn the bike over.

Thanks to all those who offered up their suggestions.

Bike felt a wee bit funny just then as I took it for a wee ride, but hopefully after a good run in the weekend she will come right.

p.s. next time I start her in the summer: NO choke to start her, just to keep her idling once she fires.

[ducatilover]

I'm rather suprised at that. Good you have her sorted though mate, now ride the shit out of it.

[Gibbo89]

I'm rather suprised at that. Good you have her sorted though mate, now ride the shit out of it.

Oh don't worry, I will!

Yeah I didn't know that my noobness might flood her that bad, but those plugs got fouled instantly after you cleaned them. Meths to the rescue it would seem.

[Juzz976]

yep need to Ride at a high rev (at least 1/2 way to redline) for a while till the power smooths out after a flood.

Just remember when starting if its seems to bog out a bit after starting (when flooded, you'll learn the sound it makes)then
bring up the revs 4-5k and ride straight away. Or shut off quick, riding gear on start and ride with revs high straight away to clear the cylinders.

Otherwise you'll be repeating this process or riding around all day thinking your on 3 cyclinders or ignition is out or something else. People post threads 'my bike is low on power' and sometimes they're just running a slightly flooded motor.

You should be good tho this wont happen often if at all, remember while riding too that these motors do not like to be loaded on low rev and you should ride the clutch when moving from standstill, bike needs to breath air.

winter not so much a problem as the air is more dense which leans things out a bit, summer they're gonna run rich.

Not many but some will also drain the battery if the revs not held high enough (not enough charge with lights on and idling around.)

Good stuff getting it sorted tho