Hard Starting

Don · Post by **Don** » Sun May 25, 2003 10:57 pm

When I bought my '79, it was sooooo easy to start it almost wasn't believeable, and lately it's been getting harder and harder to start each time I ride it.

Maintenancewise, I've done nothing but adjust the cam chains, which made them a good deal quieter - I've not touched the carbs.

The battery is strong (thank heavens, as it now can take half a dozen 10 second attempts to get it running). Once it starts, it seems to run on 3 or 4 cylinders for a few seconds, but once warmed up for a minute or so, it runs very well.

I'm kinda baffled on where to look first - I assume something's hanging up in a carb or two, or it would hit on all 6 right from the get-go . . . . right??

Once started, it can sit for many hours, and fire right up, but if left for a day or two, it's hard to start again.

Ideas??

Thanks,

Don

sr71cbx · Post by **sr71cbx** » Mon May 26, 2003 12:35 am

george g · Post by **george g** » Tue May 27, 2003 3:20 pm

Hey Don,

I too had similar problems that went away after lubricating the choke cable (used WD40). Maybe I was lucky, but before you spend all kinds of money...

Check the string I started entitled "Remove Carbs". Since writing that string my '79 continues to start in fewer than four attempts. I've also lubricated it with graphite since the WD40 would likely dry up quickly.