Bike won't hot start.

[Slavvy]

Went for a ride earlier tonight and happened to stall at a really awkward left-turn hillstart. Embarassing. Anyway, I rediscovered a problem I had ages ago (which I suppose never really went away): the bike refuses to start when warm, using the starter.

It cranks over perfectly but just doesn't want to 'catch'. I did some experimenting in my driveway, and sometimes I can get it to start using careful manipulation of the throttle and choke. Most of the time though, I just end up having to push start the bastard, which is really easy (only need about a 5m run-up) and it starts perfectly.

What's going on here? It also starts perfectly when it's cold and doesn't have any kind of stutter or hesitation when running, this is literally the only operational issue the motor has.

[ducatilover]

Turn the pilot screws in the carbs right in 'till they seat gently (Gentle, otherwise you ruin 'em) Then wind them out to the factory specs (Probably 2 -1/4 or 2 -3/4 turns)

What condition is the air filter?
How are the plugs?
Does the bike feel a bit sluggish at low RPMs when warm?


Chances are, it's running too rich on the idle circuit.

[scumdog]

Yup, points to an over-rich condition.

[Slavvy]

Doesn't feel at all sluggish when it's warm, it sort of steadily improves low-rpm response as it warms up, which seems normal to me. Only bike I've ever ridden though so maybe I've got no idea how it's meant to be. Any points on where the pilot screws are located on the carbs?

[Gareth123]

I had a similar problem on my GL145. My Regulator/Rectifier was shagged. As it got hot the bike became slower as the electrical system lost some of its oomph.

It got so bad that the bike wouldn't even push start until I'd let it cool down.

Made a world of difference when I got that changed.