Another ?my bike wont start? topic. Sorry.

[Alastair]

Well, I seem to have an intermittent starting problem on my Yam TDR 125 (although now fitted with a DTr engine hence no electric starter).

Last week I rode into work one afternoon and when I went to leave 1 hour later nothing was catching when I kicked it over. Cue 40 mins with my very limited on bike tool kit trying to find out what was wrong.

Plug was sparking OK but I changed it anyway (this rules out a dodgy kill switch right?), does that mean the battery is OK too (dash lights and indicators/brake working fine)? Lots of petrol in it, fuse fine.

Gave up and got a lift home. Came back to it the next day and it started first time no problems. Pushed it to the back of my mind and hoped it would go away. Never wise I know!

This morning, exactly the same problem for no apparent reason when it’s been fine in the 5 days or so in between. Not been used since Friday about 6 pm by the way.

All I can think of is a problem with the carb stopping fuel getting through to the engine but I don’t fancy pulling it all apart and losing tiny little intricate parts if I don’t have to.

Could it be a dodgy battery? I don’t have access to a charger unfortunately to check. Anything else it could be?

Thanks for looking.

[garth]

fuel starvation? blocked fuel line?

crap in the carb? drain the float bowl

coil breaking down?

if it has a spark, it's fuel.


____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[Alastair]

[garth]

on the bottom of your carb there is a screw, undo it, fuel will piss out the overflow.

It should run clear.
____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[Alastair]

Thanks very much dude.

Will def try that tonight.

[finpos]

Was it getting low on fuel (i.e. you had to switch to reserve shortly after) these two times it wouldn't start?

finpos.

[Alastair]

[finpos]

Not all carbs have the drain screw - don't get too upset if you can't find it

You say the engine has been changed for a kickstart only model. How long ago was that, and is this your first kickstart bike? I ask because your starting technique may need a bit more refinement if that's the case.

first:
New plug
Put screw back where it was - you do remember

from cold:
full choke
no throttle
two or three kicks
not started? give up before you flood it.

from hot or even slightly warm:
no choke
0 to 1 quarter throttle (try slowly rolling it open as you kick - tricky!)
two or three kicks
not started? give up before you flood it.



With an electric start, you can just keep churning away with not-quite right choke/throttle settings until it starts. If you flood a kickstart bike you're stuffed.

Sorry if this is granny sucking egg territory

finpos.

[Vin]

Can I add:
Clean the air filter if it hasn't been done.
If the engine won't start after a few kicks and you think the engine might be flooded try turning the choke off, holding on full throttle and then kick it over like a madman.
Vin

[Alastair]