Having trouble starting in cold weather.

d16soda · September 15th, 2011, 10:07 AM

Hey guys, recently had an issue with my choke cable. It had come apart where it is crimped in the middle, re-crimped it and it works as it is supposed to. Now, during the day, a cold start in weather over 70 degrees, I can turn the choke on full, crank it and after it starts immediately turn the choke off. It will idle low, but goes to normal idle as it gets warm.

Now, I cant get the bike to start without starting fluid in the morning when it is 50-65 degrees. It will crank, the rpms will go up, and it just wont accept throttle and then dies. Now, when the bike is running (hot or cold) when i engage the choke, the RPM spikes up then dips VERY low and the bike will sit at low RPM or it will just die. What's going on here?

Have a stripped screw on my fairings so I cant pull the plugs out yet, but i plan on doing it either today or tomorrow. Could the valve adjustment be an issue? It smells really rich

dubojr1 · September 15th, 2011, 10:10 AM

Have you re-adjusted the choke cable to spec?

lv250 · September 15th, 2011, 06:22 PM

Have you though about re-jetting. Mine would cut out when it was 40. I was out on a night ride.

I was stupid could not find my winter gloves but I wanted to ride and wore my vented summer big mistake. Wait, sorry I digressed. back to point.

My bike would not start with out full choke and took about 10 minuets to warm up so it would not stall. I re-jetted adding a new dyno jet kit and have not had a problem since.

Monkey Wrench Cycles · September 18th, 2011, 01:51 PM

Sounds like you might have a fouled plug. First I would check the plugs and see what condition they're in. I would then check the choke cable and make sure it's working correctly and not holding the choke out with the lever off.

d16soda · September 20th, 2011, 09:17 AM

Plugs were fouled, just changed them out with NGK iridium. Definitely rides a bit smoother, yet, it is still having trouble starting.

Choke cable is working right, the little piston slides back in as it should. The choke kills the bike if it is either cold or warm. Almost impossible to get it started cold in ~50 degree weather.

What else could it be? The idle/air mixture screws have not been drilled out from the factory, and i'd like to leave them alone. Although, the bike smells very rich with choke on or off. What could be some other problems?

Don't think re-jetting will be my answer. The bike has 3,000 miles on it, one owner, and well taken care of. I have gotten the bike up to 100 MPH flawlessly, no sputters, loss of power, etc. My only issue is the starting cold.

Alex · September 20th, 2011, 09:59 AM

Can you confirm the valve check/adjustment was done at 600 miles on that bike? If not, that would be the next thing to check.

d16soda · September 20th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Not to my knowledge. Pretty sure one of the valve guides is leaking because on onerous of the old spark plugs there was a line of oil drainage/wash. Where can I find the specs to readjust the valves.
Posted via Mobile Device

Monkey Wrench Cycles · September 20th, 2011, 10:47 AM

Valves being out of adjustment will definately cause hard starting. Also check out my other thread on why you should synch your carbs afterward.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=86099

September 15th, 2011, 10:07 AM	#1
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	Having trouble starting in cold weather. Hey guys, recently had an issue with my choke cable. It had come apart where it is crimped in the middle, re-crimped it and it works as it is supposed to. Now, during the day, a cold start in weather over 70 degrees, I can turn the choke on full, crank it and after it starts immediately turn the choke off. It will idle low, but goes to normal idle as it gets warm. Now, I cant get the bike to start without starting fluid in the morning when it is 50-65 degrees. It will crank, the rpms will go up, and it just wont accept throttle and then dies. Now, when the bike is running (hot or cold) when i engage the choke, the RPM spikes up then dips VERY low and the bike will sit at low RPM or it will just die. What's going on here? Have a stripped screw on my fairings so I cant pull the plugs out yet, but i plan on doing it either today or tomorrow. Could the valve adjustment be an issue? It smells really rich

September 15th, 2011, 10:10 AM	#2
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Have you re-adjusted the choke cable to spec? __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

September 15th, 2011, 06:22 PM	#3
lv250 ninjette.org member Name: CJ Location: Las Vegas NV Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2009 CRF230L, 1998 Honda VT1100c, 1974 Honda XL100, 07 Yamaha Wolverine 350, 06 ArticCat 250 Posts: 43	Re-jett Have you though about re-jetting. Mine would cut out when it was 40. I was out on a night ride. I was stupid could not find my winter gloves but I wanted to ride and wore my vented summer big mistake. Wait, sorry I digressed. back to point. My bike would not start with out full choke and took about 10 minuets to warm up so it would not stall. I re-jetted adding a new dyno jet kit and have not had a problem since.

September 20th, 2011, 09:59 AM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Can you confirm the valve check/adjustment was done at 600 miles on that bike? If not, that would be the next thing to check. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 20th, 2011, 10:47 AM	#8
Monkey Wrench Cycles Motorcycle repair Name: Frank Location: Fort Worth, Texas Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): '05 Ninja ZX6-RR, '08 GY6 scooter for wife, '02 Shadow ACE, '05 Buell Blast Posts: 28	Valves being out of adjustment will definately cause hard starting. Also check out my other thread on why you should synch your carbs afterward. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=86099 __________________________________________________ "You can't know where you're going until you know where you've been" www.monkeywrenchmotorcycles.com

September 18th, 2011, 01:51 PM	#4
Monkey Wrench Cycles Motorcycle repair Name: Frank Location: Fort Worth, Texas Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): '05 Ninja ZX6-RR, '08 GY6 scooter for wife, '02 Shadow ACE, '05 Buell Blast Posts: 28	Sounds like you might have a fouled plug. First I would check the plugs and see what condition they're in. I would then check the choke cable and make sure it's working correctly and not holding the choke out with the lever off.

September 20th, 2011, 09:17 AM	#5
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	Plugs were fouled, just changed them out with NGK iridium. Definitely rides a bit smoother, yet, it is still having trouble starting. Choke cable is working right, the little piston slides back in as it should. The choke kills the bike if it is either cold or warm. Almost impossible to get it started cold in ~50 degree weather. What else could it be? The idle/air mixture screws have not been drilled out from the factory, and i'd like to leave them alone. Although, the bike smells very rich with choke on or off. What could be some other problems? Don't think re-jetting will be my answer. The bike has 3,000 miles on it, one owner, and well taken care of. I have gotten the bike up to 100 MPH flawlessly, no sputters, loss of power, etc. My only issue is the starting cold.

September 20th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#7
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	Not to my knowledge. Pretty sure one of the valve guides is leaking because on onerous of the old spark plugs there was a line of oil drainage/wash. Where can I find the specs to readjust the valves. Posted via Mobile Device

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