Starting KTM EXC 300 1999

[Chris750]

I am having massive issue Kick starting my bike.

The owner did show me what I needed to do before starting but I was really ill on the day and can't really remember.

I have been kicking it over and over again to no avail.

I have turned fuel on
Made sure in nuetral

Am I missing anything?

Is there any switch to turn the ignition on? Or am I just too week?
____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[delvey91]

Probably no ignition on it. Fuel on, Pull the choke plunger up on the carb. Then find the point on the kickstart just past top dead centre and give it a good kick. should fire right up
____________________
2016 Honda Africa Twin
2006 KTM 200 EXC

[Chris750]

[Chris750]

Also when the owner started it he did it with the stand up.
I find it easier with the stand down- I looked to see if there are any sensors that can tell the stand position and there doesn't appear to be.
____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[delvey91]

Whatever you do never put any weight on a ktm ally stand. It will snap far to easy! Stand up is the best way. To find top dead just keep pushing it until the point it gets hardest. Stop and bring the kicker right the way back up. Then a good firm kick should do it. !
____________________
2016 Honda Africa Twin
2006 KTM 200 EXC

[Chris750]

[Chris750]

Also, do you thing I could of flooded the engine trying to start it with the wrong technique, making starting it now more difficult?
____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[delvey91]

That could be a possibilty. Turn the fuel tap off. Lean the bike on its side and the excess fuel will drain out the carb, do this somewhere it wont matter if you get petrol everwhere! Then haul the bike upright again and turn the fuel tap back on
____________________
2016 Honda Africa Twin
2006 KTM 200 EXC

[Fizzer Thou]

Whatever you do,do not put too much weight on a KTM enduro side stand.Even with a high tensile bolt in place they shear off as if made with cheese

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Workshop/Picture002-1.jpg

A replacement side stand bracket is only about £5 so I now keep a spare in my box of spares that I keep at home or take with me during an enduro.
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[drzsta]

Like delvey said but when I had MY YZ it always started easier with a touch of throttle at the same time.

[G]

All the KTM 2 strokes I've had, including the same model 300 have needed a bit of a blip of the throttle just as the kick is coming to an end.
While with a 4 stroke, this will tend to lock it up.

Try cleaning the carb out to start with - it's the end of the season and it's likely it's got lots of bits of dirt in.

My 300 was really hard to start when I first got it - much better after a clean.

Give a bump start a go if you can't get it going - it should be easier to start when hot, so you can get an idea of the technique.

[Chris750]

I'm still really struggling with this.

I haven't ridden it since the day I bought it and it's really annoying me.
My mate that started it the days I bought it has been around and niether of us could start it.
I've looked at the carbs- all fairly clean- jets clear.

I've had the spark plug out- looks O.K. Was sparking when out of the engine (although the spark didn't seem incredibly strong).

I've tried bumb starting it with a mate- still no luck.
It is a pain to bump as when in gear with the clutch pulled in it tends to still drag the gear slightly as if the clutch needs adjusting, making it really hard to push.

Now I have no idea if I am doing something wrong or the bike has issues- surely they cannot be this difficult to start.

Please help.
____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[Chris750]

I just managed to start it and went out for a ride.

I did nearly give myself a heart attack doing it though.

Once it was warm it was quite manageable.

I'm thinking of trying a new spark plug to see if that helps with the cold starts.


____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[Fizzer Thou]

Standard KTM spark plug caps are notorious for breaking down the internal resistor,according to www.ktmforum.co.uk

When I replaced the standard spark plug with a new NGK iridium type plug I also installed a new NGK plug cap and despite several attempts at drowning the bike along the Strata Florida track it has stood up to the abuse.
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[delvey91]

To bump start push in neutral then wackit into 2nd. Ktm clutches always drag when the engines not running
____________________
2016 Honda Africa Twin
2006 KTM 200 EXC

[MaybeGuy]

Check the ignition timing if it's that hard to start. I don't think mine ever failed to start first kick.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Chris750]

I'll check timing and plug/cap. It is definately harder to start than it should be.

I went out this afternoon and started it first kick. After letting it idle for a minute I turned it off- went and grabbed my jacket/helmet.
Jumped back on and could I restart it- no.
I gave up in the end.
____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[G]

My 87 KTM 350 was an intermitenant starter.

Solved it the day before I sold it after having owned it for a couple of years - was a loose HT to plug cap connection. Cut the HT lead down a few mm and re-attached and all was fine.

Did you have all the jets out and check them all properly?

[Chris750]

[G]

When you said 'seemed' clear, did you - hold them up to the light, then blow hard through them (lips sealed around the end) and check them again?
Did you get the emulsion tube out as well?

After having sold it on ebay, I did my usual trick of going over the bike and getting it into a nicer state than I had owned it in!
Looking at the spark plug, I noticed the end was a bit loose. The cap easily pulled out of the HT lead when I tried, so cut it down and re-attached.

Definitely need to properly clean and re-oil the filter if you haven't.

[Chris750]

[Chris750]

double post
____________________
Current Rides: GSXR-750 WS, GSXR-1000 K5, KTM EXC 300

[meli202]