No cold start/idle without choke

[DBG]

I just bought this bike, and the previous owner called it "cold natured," a very technical term. The mechanical fact is that it won't run unless warmed up. I have to sit and let it run with the choke on for quite a bit before it will idle properly. Once it's warm it runs and sounds great. I noticed right off the bat that the spark plug was bone white, indicating that the mixture was lean. Some cowboy that owned it before me thought he would give this little scooter a pair of balls by drilling a buncha holes in the muffler... :lol: I drilled out that plug on the carb and adjusted the pilot screw. This helped quite a bit, but still no glory without letting it warm up on the choke. I don't really notice any change in the power across the throttle, and it has a pretty good top end (70mph+) unless there's any head wind (~60mph). Is this something that's just inherent to this motorcycle? Or could it be that I need to detail the carb and soak it in some solvent? I mean, this thing won't go two feet without stalling unless the engine's hot. Any tips appreciated.

[blaine]

Originally Posted by DBG

I just bought this bike, and the previous owner called it "cold natured," a very technical term. The mechanical fact is that it won't run unless warmed up. I have to sit and let it run with the choke on for quite a bit before it will idle properly. Once it's warm it runs and sounds great. I noticed right off the bat that the spark plug was bone white, indicating that the mixture was lean. Some cowboy that owned it before me thought he would give this little scooter a pair of balls by drilling a buncha holes in the muffler... :lol: I drilled out that plug on the carb and adjusted the pilot screw. This helped quite a bit, but still no glory without letting it warm up on the choke. I don't really notice any change in the power across the throttle, and it has a pretty good top end (70mph+) unless there's any head wind (~60mph). Is this something that's just inherent to this motorcycle? Or could it be that I need to detail the carb and soak it in some solvent? I mean, this thing won't go two feet without stalling unless the engine's hot. Any tips appreciated.

Sounds like your still running lean.I found the biggest difference in performance when cold was when I shimmed the needle.Almost like two different bikes.Would start much easier when cold & idle smoother.The American models run even leaner than the Canadian ones do.
:2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Even the Canadian bikes are a little cold blooded but run fine after getting warmed up. Full choke to start and reduced choke as it warms up and the idle starts to get too high.

You will get the hang of it.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Even the Canadian bikes are a little cold blooded but run fine after getting warmed up. Full choke to start and reduced choke as it warms up and the idle starts to get too high.

You will get the hang of it.

My European's the same set up as the Canadian, & I never (well - hardly ever) need the choke to start. The temperature hardly ever gets below 10ºC (50ºF?). Do you need the choke when it's this temperature with the Canadian bike?

[blaine]

Originally Posted by alantf

My European's the same set up as the Canadian, & I never (well - hardly ever) need the choke to start. The temperature hardly ever gets below 10ºC (50ºF?). Do you need the choke when it's this temperature with the Canadian bike?

I always did on mine until I adjusted the idle mixture and shimmed the needle.If it was close to freezing to below,she was really cranky.After the mods,she would start at 10c with no choke.
:cool:

[Water Warrior 2]

First start of the day needed choke no matter what the temp. Blaine appears to have hit the nail on the head. Carb mod and adjustment is needed for overall satisfaction. I do sometimes wonder if the Canadian bikes are the same as U.S. bikes. The cages here meet U.S. requirements so the bikes may suffer the same fate.

[blaine]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

First start of the day needed choke no matter what the temp. Blaine appears to have hit the nail on the head. Carb mod and adjustment is needed for overall satisfaction. I do sometimes wonder if the Canadian bikes are the same as U.S. bikes. The cages here meet U.S. requirements so the bikes may suffer the same fate.

I also needed to adjust & shim my older 454 as it was very lean from the factory also.
:2tup:

[DBG]

Did the needle shim today. Unfortunately can't test it due to weather. I did however have a much better response playing with the pilot screw at idle after the needle shim job. I have the pilot screw set at 2.5 turns out. Similar to anyone else?

[blaine]

Originally Posted by DBG

Did the needle shim today. Unfortunately can't test it due to weather. I did however have a much better response playing with the pilot screw at idle after the needle shim job. I have the pilot screw set at 2.5 turns out. Similar to anyone else?

Yep,2.5 turns is a good starting point.You will need to fine tune it when the bike is warm.Out is rich,In is lean.
:cool:

[DBG]

What is the best way to determine when the pilot is set right? I'm spoiled- the Harley just requires pushing a few buttons to adjust the fuel map- dunno much about carbs. Am I looking to eliminate all back popping when decelerating? Right now its humming nice and smooth at idle, but if I rev it, it pops on the way back down. Is that ok? Or am I looking for something else?