Starting Problems

[Measel]

Hi

I have a Suzuki Slingshot Bandit 400, 1993 Model. About 2 and a half months ago I had an accident and damaged the left side which included a hole in the engine cover, and a dent in the fuel tank. The other damage was cosmetic.
It took 2 months to source all the parts. My bike is running now, well most of the time.
She wont start in the morning or evening cold. Let her sit in the sun for an hour and she starts up first time. This never used to be a problem before the accident. I had the battery charged after draining it trying to start her up. I dont know what the problem could be.
Any advice?

[tacoman]

I would check your choke.  In the crash you may have damaged the cable or lever mount and now it won't close all the way when you try to cold start it.

[Measel]

Hi
Thanks for the suggestion. =)
Choke seems fine. Works just great when the bike is in the sun. Put the choke on and the bike starts and revs climb. Ease the choke and the revs come down.
Any other ideas?

[rider123]

Well if its a little hard to start when cold, have you checked for intake boot leaks? If you've had a crash you may have jarred the carbs a bit and produced a small leak somewhere. Also I would retighten the carb intake boot clamps to make sure they are tight and have a good seal. Or......


Maybe it's now a solar powered bike?    J/K Does it start at all with full choke when it's cold? Another possibility is that there is condensation from the cold air getting into a spark plug lead or something. Will it start in the rain when it's warm? In a crash a bike gets a good jolt so even if it shouldn't be affected it is. I'd also for fun re-tighten the spark plugs or replace them outright as well.

When it's not starting do you have spark? If there is no spark when it's cold and wet you can guarentee there is water getting in somewhere.

More info please. I'd check to see if you have spark when it's "dead"

[Measel]

Hi

Well I phoned the dealer today who fixed my bike after the accident. They had the cheek to ask me to bring it in, instead of them fetching it. I will humour them. They are gonna check the carbs for me. I will also tell them to check whole fuel flow system, battery, and sparkplug.
I just went outside now, its "cold", well, cold enough for my bike not to want to start. The bike does not start at all in the cold, with or without choke. I tried to start it up now. Engine started, and then died in like a second. Then wouldnt start after that.  

One part of me wants to fix this myself, but my other side is telling me the dealer must fix what they were supposed to. The dealer side is winning at the moment.

[tacoman]

I still think its the choke and its not closing all the way.  Just enough of a gap is all its takes when its real cold.  When the sun warms it slightly its ok.  If the dealer is willing to look at it take it to him.

[Measel]

Well, I took the bike back to the dealer. Had it back in 2 days. They cleaned the carbs 10 times apparently and tuned it. She was running really well after that.
Then last weekend I couldnt start. It was 3am and a bit chilly. Then on Monday morning it wouldnt start, it was a bit cold because of wind, and today after a hard days work looking forward to getting home, she wouldnt start. Cold wind again.
Now, the Cape Town, South Africa climate is warm. When I say cold, im not talking anything less than 5 degrees (celcius), and thats pushing it. I mean, we dont even get snow in the winter, and its summer now.

Im really losing patience. I cant take it back to the dealer now. It was fixed as far as I could tell. Nothing has changed in the past 2 weeks, besides the fact she wont start anymore.

Do I need to clean the carbs again? If so, which is best? Carb cleaner to put in the tank, or spray in the air intake.

Any ideas guys?

[PitterB4]

Sorry - I hadn't seen this thread before.

First - on the far right (as seated on the bike) side of the carb bank, there is a thin brass tube.  Is it in-tact?  That is part of the choke circut and if it's cracked and dislodged, in the cold - bikey no starty!  That thing sticks out and is easily broken.  Don't ask how I know this.  

I'll bet that's the problem.  If not, try opening up the mixture screws a little.

[Measel]

Are you referring to this?



I will look tomorrow morning. Bike is still at work. If I am lucky it will get stolen. Then at least I get insurance money and can start over.

[/img]

[PitterB4]

Yup - that's exactly it.  Mine has a big glob of JBWeld on it.  

[Measel]

Hi

Brass thing looks good to me. Intact, undamaged.
So this morning my bike was still at work. Moved it into the sun in the morning. This afternoon got back and of course the sun had moved and the bike was in the shade with a breeze. So it wasnt warm enough to start.

[PitterB4]

Hi

Brass thing looks good to me. Intact, undamaged.
So this morning my bike was still at work. Moved it into the sun in the morning. This afternoon got back and of course the sun had moved and the bike was in the shade with a breeze. So it wasnt warm enough to start.

Good.  

Check your air/fuel screws next.  Factory setting is 1.75 turns out, I believe.  Depending on how your bike's set up (pipe, K&N, jetted...), you may need more.  Mine has a slipon, K&N and a stage 1 jet kit.  2.5 turns out seems to work well for me (your mileage may vary!).  When mine were too lean (screwed in too far), I would have cold-start difficulty.  Now, I rarely need the choke above 50*F.  If somone's been in there mucking around with your carbs they may have them way too far in.

[Measel]

Hi

Well, I have been out most of the week. So today I tried to be adventurous. I took the tank off for the 1st time. (yes, im a n00b). Checked the airfilter.
I was thinking that maybe the fuelcock was jammed, so I put a funnel on the end of the fuel line and filled the funnel up. Tried to start the engine. Still, no joy. At least I know its not a fuelline problem.
Someone suggested I buy a new battery. The started sounds good to me. Creates sucksion on the vacuum hose. Strong turn in my very much amatuer opinion.
I dunno.  
No one wanna fly down to Cape Town and give me a hand?  

I cant even get the tank back on at the moment. -sigh- When I eventually do I will park my bike in the sun and pray it starts. Then take it back to the dealer to sort out. I better give hima  phonecall. I am tempted to trade it in. =/

[Measel]

Ok, so I took my battery to a battery place. He tested it at 25 ampers and it kicked out more than 10 volts, which is grea.t But I said I still wanted a new battery. So in that case we opened the "Do not open - Sealed battery" cover. Well, there was some sulpher deposits, and when the guy shook the battery we couldnt hear that there was any water in it.

So I got a new battery and plugged it in. Bike started first time. Hmmm... now to leave the bike in the cold and see if it starts.

The battery guy was explaining to me that when the battery is warm (from standing in the sun) then it gives it best charge. So its best charge could turn the engine in the thin warm oil. But its weakest charge couldnt turn it in the thick cold oil.

Only time will tell.
Hold thumbs!

[KX5000]

sounds like the battery could be it, 25 amps really isn't enough it should be capable of at least 200 I would think.  Bikes aren't like cars; in an  attempt to save weight the manufacturers use the smallest battery they can get away with so that the slightest degradation and they aren't powerful enough. I used to have a 79 kawasaki KZ650 and the battery would need to be replaced every year. It seemed to crank ok but wouldn't start-drove me nuts but the new battery solved the problem. I even rode that bike for a whole year cause I didn't have a car riding in subzero temps is the pits!