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Cold blooded Kawasaki
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:58 pm
by BobA
I have a 1982 Kawasaki 750 spectre that is a little hard starting when it is cold. If I sit it next to a space heater for a little while or if the outdoor temp is higher it will start right up.
What in the system causes this and what can I do to make it better? Thanks
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:23 pm
by mgdavis
Is your battery in good shape?
A description more specific than "hard starting" would help.
thanks for you reply
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:42 pm
by BobA
Yes sorry.
The battery is fully charged.
The engine turns over fine but it takes a while for the engine to fire and only will if the throttle is closed all the way.
Choke is fully on but it almost acts like the engine is not getting fuel.
If the bike has been sitting for several hrs. in the cold it probably wouldn't start. If air temp is between 60 - 80 deg f the bike will fire right up.
It also runs very good once you get it on the road and its warmed up.
Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:14 pm
by Johnj
Your bike is running lean. That's the way it was setup from the factory in Lincoln.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:58 am
by BobA
Thanks. Ill look into it.
Would having the carbs cleaned out good help this problem?
I purchased this bike last year and I think it sat around for a good amt. of time.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:07 am
by Johnj
Yes a good cleaning and a sync will help. If you, or the PO, have made any changes to the intake (like pod filters) or to the exhaust (like a 4 into 1 or those sexy canister mufflers) you may need to rejet.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:45 pm
by BobA
Thanks!!
I do appreciate the advice.
I'm thinking the previous owner didn't take the best care of this bike.
I waiting for it to get to cold and snowy to drive then take it in to a shop for
a little preventive maintenance.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:19 pm
by coffee_brake
Just an idea...I've never seen a Spectre that couldn't benefit from this, although I've never actually done it myself:
http://www.wgcarbs.com/index.php?option ... &Itemid=26
Lots of old bikes have ignition/plug fouling that this would fix.
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:08 pm
by BobA
Thank you for your input!
Interesting concept for sure.
I don't have any type of fouliing problem though.
All 4 cylinders are firing clean as far as the plugs are showing.
I may give this some thought, thanks
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:41 pm
by BobA
Interesting solution to this problem.
Looking closer I realized that the choke was not closing all the way.
The choke mechanism was being stopped by the fuel filter so it wouldn't
travel as far as it needed to close the choke.
"Always look for something simple"