Bike won't start if parked uphill

Slagugglan · 09-28-2011, 10:41 AM

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!

**jonathan180iq** · 09-28-2011, 11:15 AM

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.

mrlmd1 · 09-28-2011, 02:57 PM

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.

Water Warrior 2 · 09-28-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

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.

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.

alantf · 09-29-2011, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

I also carry a short strip of velcro to wrap around the front brake lever and grip.

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:

Slagugglan · 09-29-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

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.

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.

mrlmd1 · 09-29-2011, 07:59 PM

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

Slagugglan · 09-30-2011, 05:51 AM

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!

blaine · 09-30-2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slagugglan

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

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.

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.

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:

Slagugglan · 10-22-2011, 01:23 PM

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!

09-28-2011, 10:41 AM	#1
Slagugglan Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 15	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! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-28-2011, 11:15 AM	#2
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	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.
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09-28-2011, 02:57 PM	#3
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	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. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-29-2011, 07:59 PM	#7
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Bike won't start if parked uphill I Don't know which way the float is angled but maybe it's getting flooded.
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09-30-2011, 05:51 AM	#8
Slagugglan Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 15	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!
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10-22-2011, 01:23 PM	#10
Slagugglan Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 15	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!
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