Trouble starting bike:

[motorcyclerider1]

I have a 1993 600cc Seca II Yamaha, when bought about two months ago ran great, now when you pull choke and crank it, it will start for 2 seconds and then dies, what could it be

[GS_in_CO]

I have a 1993 600cc Seca II Yamaha, when bought about two months ago ran great, now when you pull choke and crank it, it will start for 2 seconds and then dies, what could it be

It could be (at least)-
Colder temperatures?, you're taking the choke off too early?, water in the gas (did you leave the bike out in the rain?), fuel started to go bad from just sitting (did you leave it out in the sun?), battery is weak (have you run the bike recently? Can you charge the battery with a small battery charger?)

[motorcyclerider1]

Yes recently got gas, going to my in-laws house stalled out, had to push it there and yes it has sat out in rain. Now have in the garage, I'll put some sea foam in gas tank. Battery is good and charged, I did take house off canister and gas came out (was just checking, making sure it was getting gas).

The choke has two positions, when you pull it out first notch and then all the way out, which one should you start with. (sorry I'm new at this).

[GS_in_CO]

Yes recently got gas, going to my in-laws house stalled out, had to push it there and yes it has sat out in rain. Now have in the garage, I'll put some sea foam in gas tank. Battery is good and charged, I did take house off canister and gas came out (was just checking, making sure it was getting gas).

The choke has two positions, when you pull it out first notch and then all the way out, which one should you start with. (sorry I'm new at this).

Many (most) carburetors on bikes have ways to drain the float bowls. Typically a screw on the bottom of the bowl (only need to turn it a little bit - DON'T REMOVE) and a very narrow rubber hose out the bottom. A quick flush of the carb bowls this way could remove water if any is in there giving trouble.

Chokes are tools to be used as necessary. What you need to get it started depends on temperature and past experience with what works and what's needed. If the air temp is now colder than it used to be and you used to start on the 1st position, try the 2nd. Or halfway between 1st and 2nd. Whatever works for you and your bike.

Carbureted bikes are not computer-controlled so you have a part to play in getting a successful start.

[motorcyclerider1]

Thanks Ron I'll try that and let you know how it goes.

[motorcyclerider1]

Here what I've done so far. put sea foam in gas tank, charged battery. tried to start today and crank fast but no start, pulled spark plug, put back in boot and grounded it, crank over, got spark. this weekend I'll get it outside, make sure were getting gas out of tank through petcock and to fuel pump.

[motorcyclerider1]

I got spark, but when cranking it seem that the starter is going fast, but no start, I've got it outside and I'm trying to see if I'm getting gas to carb.

[BRUMBEAR]

pull a spark plug see if its wet if you have spark and the plug isn't wet you have not got fuel to the compression chamber fuel fire and air she WILL run!!!!!!

[motorcyclerider1]

Well today I took off the line from the petcock, (got gas) then the line from fuel pump, (got gas) got spark, and compression. today it was acting like it want to start, you know how those old cars got flood, that's how it was acting, where do I go from here?

[pchast]

Clean air cleaner?