Bike hates the cold starts.

[xomilin]

I've been having to leave early in the mornings on my bike and its about 40'F so not that cold yet, and my bike is nearly completely draining the battery before I can ever get it to start to actually run. Slightly warmer temperatures its been perfectly fine, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on ways to fix this. Its my only transportation aside from borrowing my dad's bike when I absolutely have to so I need it to work!

PS. Had major compression issues before, got them all worked out so hopefully I dont need to mess with that again.

would messing with the fuel mixture be a good idea..?

Thanks in advance!

[Ghostt]

Are you apply the choke properly?

[xomilin]

Fully engaging the choke to start. Normally when I use choke it'll Rev up to about 4k and slowly drop. But the lever is not backing off.

[allanoue]

Can you post a video of a cold start?

[Ghostt]

When as the last time the carburetors were cleaned?, is there a fuel filter installed? Sounds like your carbs are in need or a cleaning maybe.

[Ghostt]

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_is..._at_startup%3F

[xomilin]

I bought the bike about 3 months ago.. for a month it was in the shop getting the compression worked on. I know they had to repair parts of the carb, but that's the closest to a Cleaning that I can document.

And i got a video just uploading.

[xomilin]

I bought the bike about 3 months ago.. for a month it was in the shop getting the compression worked on. I know they had to repair parts of the carb, but that's the closest to a Cleaning that I can document.

And i got a video just uploading.

[agentbad]

When I first got my bike I had the same issue until I cleaned my choke inside the carbs. Changing the spark plugs can help to then set the fuel screws 2.5 turns out.

[jkv45]

Is the battery in good condition? Is it spinning the engine over strongly? Check the voltage before you try to start it - you should get 12.7V or very close. When you are cranking it over, check it again - you should see 11V or around there. If it's 10V or below it's not enough.

What oil is in it? Running a 5W-40 synthetic oil like Rotella T6 will increase cranking speed over a 10W-40 oil and may help.

How fresh is the gas? If it's been sitting with summer-blend gas in it for a while and it's in the 40s now it won't want to start easily. Fresh 87 octane without ethanol is your best choice, but go up in octane only if you need to get away from ethanol. Keep the tank as full as possible to avoid condensation forming.

Running a strong fuel system cleaner like Techron Concentrate at 1oz per gal once a year is a good idea, as is adding a stabilizer and draining the float bowls if you are planning to store it in the off-season.

You also may need to make carb adjustments. Cold air will make a carbed bike run leaner, so if it's tuned for summer gas and 80F temps it isn't going to run the same on winter gas at 40F.

After it's fully warm make adjustments to the idle mixture screws (turning out is richer) and then set the idle speed to 1300.

[xomilin]

http://youtu.be/mHiFUahZUdI

[jkv45]

Try backing off the choke some or opening the throttle slightly - it's close.

I wouldn't crank over and over for that length of time consistently. Make some changes and find the "sweet-spot".

It was almost to the point where the battery needs to be charged. I think you will need to make some carb adjustments when it's fully warm.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by agentbad

When I first got my bike I had the same issue until I cleaned my choke inside the carbs. Changing the spark plugs can help to then set the fuel screws 2.5 turns out.

If the jetting is stock, then my best guess that the above cleaning and adjustment will take out most of the cold nature that your bike has. The choke and other "hidden" passages are commonly untouched when a carb is cleaned. Many just clean the jets and go. And of course, you need a good strong battery.

Good luck!

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_is..._at_startup%3F

Once again, read the above, and try that, also it seemed close a number of times, keep cranking it over, don't stop when it starts to catch .

[xomilin]

Yeah just got a new battery for it yesterday so before it would have died after about 6 attempts.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Once again, read the above, and try that, also it seemed close a number of times, keep cranking it over, don't stop when it starts to catch .

I agree - you can continue to crank a bit longer instead of letting off when it is just starting to catch.

As soon as it sounds like it has enough fuel to catch you might try backing the choke off or giving it a little throttle.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Once again, read the above, and try that, also it seemed close a number of times, keep cranking it over, don't stop when it starts to catch .

KY representin'

Dat be gitin' him rollin' but he be needing ta fix dat cold natured issue as well. Addressin' da symptoms only be allowin' da prollem ta git worser and I figger it's maskin' a bigger prollem in dem carbs. It aint real good for da stater eider.

[Skullz]

Open the throttle all the way as you try to start it with the choke to get as much fuel in as possible, and once like it sounds like it will start then close the throttle and allow it start.
Honestly though, i don't think your compression issues are worked out cause it just does not sound right when you try to start it, in fact it sounds like it has low compression and requires the cranking of the engine to heat it up enough to seal it and raise the compression to finally start it.

Listen to how the sound of the engine changes after a few seconds of running where the thumping stops and then you get a nice engine purr.

[csmith12]

When was the last valve check/adjustment?

[Skullz]

You could try something like this on a timer set for a few hours before leaving to work.
It should bring the temp up enough to get it to start fairly quick.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...9139_200339139

[xorbe]

Originally Posted by csmith12

When was the last valve check/adjustment?

This! Solved all my cold start problems. I don't even use the choke now (California though).

[Racer x]

Check cold compression then try spraying some gum cutter into the air box. If it starts right up then you need more fuel. Check choke circuit in carb then richer idel screws or pilot jetting.

[Ghostt]

The OP just needs to learn how to use the choke, at the most his carbs need a meticulous cleaning.

[allanoue]

It isn't fuel injected. You have to give it way more throttle when it cough a bit. That is all.

Edit:
Having said that: csmith12 and Racer X know there stuff.