Only kickstarts when warm. WONT kickstart when cold: XS400

abobber91

XS400 Enthusiast
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Just got my hands on one of these classy looking bikes a few days ago. I think its the best looking bike in the world! Red with gold trim :rock:

But I have to push start it every time its not warmed up. It starts up without much hassle when push starting and continues to run very well. Then when its warmed up i can kick start it on the first kick without any problem.

When its cold and not warmed up its pretty much impossible to start with the kick starter...

Doesn't have electric start installed or starter motor.

I cleaned the carburetors thoroughly today just because I had time and felt like it, but it didn't make any difference.

Anyone have a solution or inclination as to what this is about??

(every one likes pictures)
OJ7Ge.jpg
 
I'm going through the exact same thing right now. Runs fine once warmed up and starts up great, but when starting from stone cold, takes about 10 Herculean kicks to get going. I've got electric start also, and you'd think it would be easier but the electric won't get it going from cold. Now in my case I wasn't able to get my pilot jets out as they are stripped, so I'll ask if you completely disassembled your carbs. If not, then I would start there. Also spray some carb cleaner around the carbs/boots while the bike is running and see if you have a vacuum leak. Next step after that would be to check valve clearances. Get the service manual from this site and get to work. Good luck.
 
A cheap possible fix: replace your plug cap with 0 ohm caps and switch to iridium plugs. You'll get a much better spark to ignite any fuel in the cylinder. If it doesn't work you're only out about $20 and the bike will probably run better all around anyway.
 
you're choking the carbs when it's cold, right? lots of possible causes for hard starting - timing out of adjustment, intake leak, incorrect plug gaps, vacuum leak, carbs dirty / incorrectly adjusted, etc.

your bike needs a thorough going over. check, clean, adjust, test, replace.
 
I'd say it needs a service, check compression too as a warm engine with expanded pistons will increase compression.

the kickstart only turns the engine 1.5 revs so its best to get it on the compression stroke.
 
If it were me: check compression - if good: adjust points, new plugs, new caps, new wires, clean out carbs, adjust timing, adjust carb sync, adjust pilot, adjust carb sync, check timing.. I'm no expert, but that covers all things that you are interacting with. It'll probably run much better when you are done, too boot.
 
If it were me: check compression - if good: adjust points, new plugs, new caps, new wires, clean out carbs, adjust timing, adjust carb sync, adjust pilot, adjust carb sync, check timing.. I'm no expert, but that covers all things that you are interacting with. It'll probably run much better when you are done, too boot.

I checked compression today. Didn't really make it passed 100 psi after the bike had been well warmed up, but both cylinders seem to be very similar in condition. Both had pretty much the same psi reading. Not much more than 100 psi...

What do you reckon that means? Theres a place in my town that will bore each cylinder for 40 bucks each.

The bikes got about 13 thousand miles on it. Maybe i just need to replace the piston rings??
 
Perform a wet compression test: drip some motor oil into the spark plug hole - just a little bit. See if that increases your compression. If it does, then rings and a re-bore would be the solution.
 
And be sure to hold the throttle open when doing a compression test. And have the spark plug wires grounded to the engine somewhere. I usually put the plugs into the wires and use booster cables to ground the body of the plug to the engine. This will also allow you to see the sparks the engine produces - should be blue white, yellow is a weak spark.

Dave
 
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