Winter Woes - Cold starts a no-no....

krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

I've got a Divvy 600N that, ever since the start of the cold weather, has developed an annoying starting problem. If the bike is in the Garage overnight or outside in the cold then it adamantly refuses to start first thing. The engine fires up and runs very briefly, then it will stop. Hitting the start button again, it will turn over the starter but will not fire up the engine, or maybe "cough" once or twice. If I leave it for a while (10 mins or so) then it will start up most of the time but sometimes the only way to get it running is to drop it into gear, hold the clutch in, give it a good push and then pop the clutch out. The engine won't start on this, but seems to have a better time of starting after that. It's almost as if the engine floods and takes a while to settle.

This morning it fired up on first try and I gave it about 3k revs for 20 seconds or so. Then it cut out as soon as the throttle was closed again (before I could get the choke on).

I've changed the battery over and kept it fully charged. If it has the problem in the morning as I head off to work then it's fine at lunchtime after the 20 mile run. I start the bike up at lunchtime to make sure it is all ok and then it runs fine in the evening for the homeward run.

I don't know what's causing this. Is it simply because it's cold? Today was rather mild though and it had the problem again. Fuel pump? Oil Viscocity? I get the usual Divvy "lurch" if you fire the bike up in neutral when it's cold (clutch plates sticking as the oil is not up to temperature?) and do get resistance initially if the bike is in gear and the clutch is in when push starting. That resistance goes after a few rocks back and forth though as the clutch plates get a good batheing in oil.

The oil is rather dark and is probably in need of a change, I can tell because the right side "overflow" pipe drips oil for a little while after a long run if it's on the side-stand (is this normal?). I will get this done over the next weekend.

Any Ideas? I am reliant on my bike to get to work and will need to do a few 100+ mile runs over winter (not through choice) so need to be able to rely on the Div. It used to start up first go with no issues when I started riding her in August and the problem only surfaced at the start of the cold weather.

Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

K.
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Redd · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

I have the same problem with my 600N but only when it's been seriously sub-zero the night before. From what you said...

Twisted2004 · Nova Slayer Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Karma :

I've got a xj600s and was having starting and stalling problems when the weather was particulally cold in the mornings.

My bike also leaked oil when on the side stand from the overflow that comes out of the airbox.

I have done a complete service oil, plugs etc. However i also took off the airbox and cleaned it out. Some of the engine breather pipes that do into the airbox had become clogged.

Im not sure whether thats what was causing the starting problems, but im it couldnt have helped.

Give ur bike a service if its time. Try and clean out as much as u can.

Start the bike with the choke out leave it for a while. If its still stalling give it a run by putting it on the centre stand and engaging 1 gear and let it run for a bit.
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krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Cheers guys, I'll give these suggestions a try and check the plugs and change the oil at the weekend.

K.
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

You should really be firing it up with the choke on, not firing it up then putting the choke on.

Is your idle set high enough? Would expect that to want an idle of about 1200 rpm, but I'd set it more like 1400 if its very cold.

Worth charging the battery too, could be a little tired.

krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Battery is regularly charged, Idle speed is at around 1100 to 1200.

Will adjust it up a little (soon as I've read the Haynes Smile

).
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Kram · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

i get the same problem on my fzr. it starts at the push of a button with 1/2 inch of ice sat ontop,. but then stops and takes a good 5 minutes turning it over with the starter to go anywhere, the choke doesn't help either.

but i'm stripping mine and cleaning it hopefully next week (or friday) so i will see if i can find the solution, as it might help yoiu guys out also.
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krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

I tried a few of the things out and slapping on full choke, knocking it into first, pulling in the clutch and then hitting the starter worked. I fired up the bike this morning and as soon as it had caught I let the clutch out and left it warming up in first gear on the centre stand. Was fine at lunch, now I'm off home so in a few mins and I'll know if it's going to get me home. It was much colder as well this morning, so it seems I have learned "the knack" from you all... Smile

..

Ta,

K.
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shammon · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

My xj600 pre Divy takes ages to warm up with new plugs def helped starting. also i had to adjust the idle speed up a slight bit.
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DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

krebsy · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Get it up onto the centre stand and let the clutch out as soon as the engine has caught.

K.
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DanceLikeAMon... · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Karma :

But my bike would stall if I did that unless I was revving it. Confused

gimpy limp · Nearly there... Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Karma :

[quote="Redd"]I have the same problem with my 600N but only when it's been seriously sub-zero the night before. From what you said...

not got your rebel anymore mate then? I quite like that rebel of yours wouldn't mind one like that when you decide to get rid
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Redd · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

gimpy limp · Nearly there... Joined: 19 Mar 2005 Karma :

cool, I'll have to see what money I can muster together sometime after christmas i've been wanting a 125 project bike for a while.
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-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
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https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

kawakid · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

mine's being doing something simmilar, other week was taking 5 or 6 goes to start. I have since been removing battery from bike and keeping it in airing cupboard.

Also when starting, choke fully out before starting, then keep turning, even after its got fired, just get revs going.
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