Hard cold start problem fix for carbureted motorcycles

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[captnuggets]

Basically if it takes a while for your carb bike to start, most chances are you need to readjust your float bowls and/or rebuild your float bowl valves. If you need to turn you fuel tap in the off position overnight to get it started in the morning probably means your float valves are set to high and/or float valves are worn out and flooding your cylinders with gas. That’s why if you left the fuel on the “on” position you gotta keep cranking it till it burns through all the gas. In simple terms take your carb out, clean it and inspect your pieces, check if your measurements are within spec, if necessary rebuild it and you’re a pro synchronize them as well (of course only necessary if you have multiple cylinders) . That way you can always leave the fuel tap on and it’ll start up every time.

[sonnyhylleberg]

YOU!!!! YOU.... Yout just helped me more than the ENTIRE internet!

I have had problems with starting my Virago when it is cold for AGES!
You trick... solved the problem no one else could answer! Thank you!!

#everydayheroes

[gta_content_loading]

Thank u for this tip man! I’ve been having problems lately since it started getting colder here I’ve never had a problem in the summer but now it’s a whole different story I’ll definitely try this!

[rayslifek]

That’s great I’m definitely going to run out of gas before I park it at the house and then turn the Peacock on like you said before I started in the cold today I did not wanna start after like six or eight cranks I was getting scared that I was going to kill the battery sometimes when it did start it will turn off right away. Thank God it stayed turned on.

[scottmiller]

It has nothing to do with moisture building up in a carburetor. If you had hard starting problems that required shutting off the fuel petcock overnight you most likely had a needle and seat that was leaking or a float problem and it was flooding the engine. However, it still is not a bad idea to shut off the petcock just in case the needle and seat fail (if your bike`s petcock has an off position - not all bikes do) !

[stumpyhobbit]

I have just had my carb cleaned a few months back but before then it was a bitch to start in winter, I will give this a try for sure as I need the bike to get to work at 5am in freezing conditions sometimes...edit....after doing this during winter my bike has started everytime, I wish I had known it sooner.

[vsopphoto]

thanks for this! I've been wondering why my bike's been slow to start recently, but runs totally fine. I'm new to riding and had been leaving the petcock on because nobody told me I should turn it off, let alone let the bike burn up the excess gas in the carb before shutting it off. I'll definitely try this and see if it helps!

[RT-pbpp]

Never had that problem on my 85 ninja 600 with carbs but then mine was always tuned right carbs adjusted synced and no problems. All they way until I sold it 6 yrs and 60k miles later started fast easy every time. maybe if you have starting problems bike is not tuned correctly

[williammoore]

Going to give this a try.
Thanks for the video!

[sijonda]

Having a hell of a time looking for why I'm having an issue getting my bike to start when cold out. Now when I'm specifically saying cold, I mean like right now (I'm in PA). It starts fine in the spring, summer, and fall. It's usually an issue when it's below 50 or 55 out. So i know it's not the same issue you're referencing here. If I could reach the intake with my hand to further choke the air, I would.

[leonardfranklin]

You aren't worried about drying out your seals?

[annihilationcontrol]

Damn good idea bro, will try that out

[dewdrop]

Oh I knew about the petcock and the turn it off but I've always turned it off after I killed the bike. I'm going to give it a try for my 1978 CB750 K. Another tip that used to help is by putting the heater on both sides of the engine to warm it up before startup. I try not to blast high heat, but keep it decently warm and to let it warm up for about 30 minutes

[motormax]

After you turn the fuel on don’t start it straight away let the carb bowl fill up first

[gerd]

Isn't that the same as using choke? You're enriching your air to fuel ratio when starting

[oldschoolmotorsickle]

If you’re going to do the float bowl trick, just shut the petcock to off a couple blocks from home. It takes bloody long time to drain a float bowl with the bike running at idle, meanwhile stinking up the joint and pissing off the neighbors..
The trick only works on true manual petcocks though; if your bike has a vacuum petcock (with a “Prime” position) and no dedicated “Off” position, fuel will continue to flow with the motor running..

[IPCRo]

What if I have a vacuum and manual petcock?

[whatisdreup]

I think that drz had the petcock swapped. Mine doesn’t have that option unfortunately but it always starts easily with the choke on

[bitcoinronin]

bro, i never knew, thanks for posting

[marvinrodriguez]

I have hard time to get start my Honda shadow 2002 winter months below 50’ I will try this