carb'd bike difficult to start

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obfuscate
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carb'd bike difficult to start

#1 Unread post by obfuscate »

Trying to troubleshoot my bike, 1993 Seca. It doesn't always start, seems to be worse when it's cold (which makes it hard to get to work let me tell ya). I usually pull the choke halfway out to start it, but I'm not certain I've found the sweet spot for that on my bike. Now instead of starting it sounds like it's trying to turn over but never quite gets there. The dealer gave me an attitude and was sloppy/lazy because my bike is older so I'd love to avoid taking it back there. Can anyone give me some suggestions?

It's got a brand new battery in it now, spark plugs are recently adjusted, and the air filter is fairly clean. What should I troubleshoot next and how?
1993 XJ600 Seca II

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Johnj
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#2 Unread post by Johnj »

Sounds like you need a good carb cleaning and a sync afterward. Do you have a manual for your bike yet?
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HYPERR
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Re: carb'd bike difficult to start

#3 Unread post by HYPERR »

obfuscate wrote: usually pull the choke halfway out to start it, but I'm not certain I've found the sweet spot for that on my bike.
Have you tried starting it with the choke pulled all the way out?
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honda750
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#4 Unread post by honda750 »

i had a seca a lil older than yours and i had everything perfectly cleaned out, floats set, couldnt figure out what was wrong, until i changed my 2 day old spark plugs again. ran perfectly for the next 10 years.

yamahas are noted for being picky about spark plugs, make sure yours are correct and clean.
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Last edited by honda750 on Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

obfuscate
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#5 Unread post by obfuscate »

Well the dealer checked the spark plugs ~100 miles ago, but I can easily re-check them. I have the Haynes manual, but I'm pretty new to moto-maitenece. Not sure if carb cleaning is something I can tackle on my own, but Secas are notorious for needing them often :( First I'd need to locate the carbs :oops: then I'll read through the manual.

As far as choke goes, I'm still playing around with full-half out. Now that I have a new battery I've got more than one shot before the battery is just DOA. Will continue to play with it.

Thanks for the feedback, out of town this weekend but will let you guys know how it goes once I get a chance to pull the plugs
1993 XJ600 Seca II

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#6 Unread post by mydlyfkryzis »

Get a battery tender and keep that battery fully charged. My last battery lasted over 7 years.
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obfuscate
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#7 Unread post by obfuscate »

I've actually got a battery tender. Until I got my new battery I was having problems with I had to use it every day. Now it's more of a twice a week just in case. :)
1993 XJ600 Seca II

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