How are you starting your bikes?

Jimmer

XS400 Member
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I am used to EFI bikes. Not much to it. Turn on the ignition, wait a moment for the injection to initialize then start it.

I am not used to carbs. I am having trouble cold starting my 81 xs400. Seems to me like I am flooding it based on the smell of fuel. It does start eventually and runs great but I am obviously doing something wrong.

Advice on starting it properly please

Cheers
 
Generally how I start my 78:

1. petcock to prime, wait a minute for carb bowls to fully fill.
2. choke full on
3. key/ign on
4. one slow kick start to cycle through to next compression
5. one good kick.
6. close choke to half-ish based on what it wants
7. petcock back to on position

Starts 9/10 times on first kick. 10/10 on second. (I have an 80's electric ignition on mine to replace the points)

A few things to help starting:
- replace the coil drive transistors in the ignition module.
- use iridium spark plugs.

A stronger spark will help it start easier. My thoughts are also assuming you don't have other issues, i.e dirty carbs, low compression, leaking float needles, etc.

Sometimes I use the electric start, similar process but no kicking. If you have a weak battery or too small, then the E-start can weaken spark and make it hard to start. (I have a 2E, but added the E-start components)
 
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Mine is a daily, and for me I just make sure the ignition is on, kill switch is set to on, and I turn my choke on. Fires up immediately every time, assuming I remember to turn the choke on. I have a Maxim, so I have no kickstart.

If it sits for a week or so, I switch the petcock to prime before starting it.
 
And the way they all should. Never had a bike including junkers that wouldn't start first or second kick. On my fours with electric start only they will bumpstart easily if you throw your weight down right at releasing the clutch to not skid the tire.

Newbies have to learn how to moderate the choke to come off as the engine gets warm enough to begin rebelling against it. If you take too long with that the plugs then foul and you walk.
 
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