Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

Lately i have been noticing some peculiar behaviour on my thumper: when i park it on a slope, like uphill, it is hard to start.
Usually i crank it for about half a second: two revs and the little 250 starts as fine as can be... But after being parked on a slope it just won't start. I have tried with PRI and putting it in reserve, it just won't start. What I do is I push the bike to a flat spot, wait two seconds and I start it.

It's not like it's anything dangerous, just strange. I wonder if anyone has noticed this or can come with a reasonable explanation!

Thanks and ride safe!

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

On a pretty steep slope, it's possible that the float bowl is angled in such a way that the gas can't be sucked into the carb.
Make sense to me.

If it happens with the bike angled facing up hill, try it it with the bike facing downhill and see what happens. I'll bet it starts right up.

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

If you park on a hill. park with the front of the bike facing uphill. If you park facing downhill, the bike can roll forward collapsing the side stand and then it falls over.

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

So true. Park with the tranny in 1st gear, less chance of the bike rolling. I also carry a short strip of velcro to wrap around the front brake lever and grip.

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

Me too. It's wrapped around the mirror stem, so I can get to it while I've still got my foot on the back brake pedal. :2tup:

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

Yeah that's what i thought too. But i'm not talking steep... just like 30 degrees slope.
I have the bike at the mechs to change the tyres, as soon as i get it back i'll try parking downhill just to see, but i cant' think that's the reason: the tank is pretty full.

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

I Don't know which way the float is angled but maybe it's getting flooded.

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

Doesent sound like a flooded engine... more like an empty one! Like it's not getting enough gas or something.
I'll just wait and try parking downhill!

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

I think he means the "Float bowl" as the bike is sitting on enough of a angle to starve the carb of fuel.The fuel is sitting up on the back side of the bowl starving the carb.
:) :cool:

Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill
 

Bah, did some tests and it appears to be a really random behaviour... I couldn't get what happens. I'll follow this up and see what happens!