Bike occasionally hard to start - update

[DrDonnyBrago]

Afternoon,

My bike (Honda CBR 600f 2001 - FI model not carb'd) was a bitch to start this afternoon. Turned over about 15 times before it caught and fired up.

It has done this a few times (although never this bad, at worst 5/6 turns before starting) and every time has been in the afternoon about 5 hours after parking up, never has an issue in the morning.

Electric starter sounded strong, heard the fuel pump prime before I started it and after a while I gave it a bit of throttle whilst cranking which didn't seem to help. Could smell fuel in the air after it finally started.


What should I check? Throttle bodies haven't been balanced and the valve clearances are a few k overdue, money is tight atm and the spark plugs are iridium jobbies getting on for 20k now so 4k older than the service schedule recommends - any of this (or all of this) likely to be the issue? I have a multimeter, can I check that the battery is still half decent as opposed to just charged up? Any thoughts as to why it only happens when the bike is still a bit lukewarm (is ALWAYS fine when stone cold or quite hot)?


Thanks chums .

[P.addy]

Mines ok from cold, but if i say leave it 15 mins and the engine is still warm and go to start it does seem to want a bit more of a crank I'd like to hear if anyone has a resolution to yours... Im thinking my plugs are getting changed asap.. but looks a bitch on that bike

[Vincent]

I'd go for new plugs too before anything else. Aren't those Iridium ones supposed to be pants on road bikes?

BTW, what NGK plugs does it use? I got a motor the other day with a new set in you can try.
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[chris-red]

Plugs first, then carbs then valves.


A good service should sort it.
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[DrDonnyBrago]

Update -

Plugs changed for the NGK iridiums, bike runs slightly smoother and I'm getting an extra 3mpg ish so it was worth doing just for that. The ground electrodes on the old ones were a bit worn out, centre electrodes looked untouched though and the plugs were a good colour.

Anyway - bike still does it. It is still rare but nonetheless a PITA that I am convinced is going to one day leave me stranded.


So..... other than spark plugs, I'm balancing the throttle bodies next week, valves when I get round to it and I'm in need of a few other suggestions as to why my bike is being a retard.


Thanks in advance.

[hmmmnz]

despite hondas sterling reputation,
they do quite often eat cams,
i'd be having a look at the valve clearances and cams,
its an annoying job but one well worth doing,
being the bucket over shim system, the cams will have to come out anyway to change those pesky shims, check the cam run out, wear on the cams,
and most importantly the oil jets that they are not blocked,

my money is on a valve related issue
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[satelliteone]

only two others i woud check...float needle valve settings, or tanks petrol cap breather. if blocked no air can go in. other than what is mentioned above.

good luck.
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[Robby]

2001. Is it still on the original battery, or is the battery more than 4 years old?

I would go with weak battery before tearing into the engine. A bike with a weak battery can still turn over fairly fast, but just not quite get the oomph required to start.

For a cheapo test that might work (but might not, if the battery is knackered). Put it on a trickle charger, and see if the charging light stays on for more than 20 minutes.

If it was me, and charging the battery didn't make a difference, and the battery is more than 4 years old, I would just replace it. Tempted by one of those clever red batteries - Oddysey I think they're called. Cost a fair chunk more than a budget ebay battery, but meant to be really good. The Harley is going to get one when it needs a battery, needs a bit of power to turn over a big V-twin.

[satelliteone]

i be curious, ya know when it fails to start again, and before it catches, take one plug out , just to see if its wet. or dry..

then ya might give ya clue,

injector, or fuel pressure reg. pump weak may be... i duno. worth a try.
____________________
Honda XLR125R - Project
TZR125RR Belgarda 4DL - Sold
Chinki Project done n Dusted/sold** DTR125 2003 - Finished/sold

[P.addy]