Difference between revisions of "How to start a motorcycle"

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m (New page: Almost every engine starts better with a richer mixture when it is cold. This is due to the fact that gasoline turns into vapor easier at warmer temperatures. Less gasoline vapors can be c...)
 
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Almost every engine starts better with a richer mixture when it is cold. This is due to the fact that gasoline turns into vapor easier at warmer temperatures. Less gasoline vapors can be counteracted by simply adding more raw gasoline. Chokes serve to enrichen the mixture by blocking air flow (some do add an extra fuel circuit though, especially on higher end engines). Once its warmed up if you leave the choke on too long you will flood the cylinders (time varies but you can hear how the engine is running to know when to remove choke). Some bikes never need to be choked at all it really just depends on you knowing what works best for your bike. Some only ever need half choke and would flood if you tried starting them with the choke fully engaged. The other side of having a rich mixture is having too little air. This could be caused by a clogged air filter, or more common on newish bikes an air filter that due to some circumstances (possibly trailering with the fuel on, also if say the bike had been turned over etc) has become soaked with fuel thus allowing less air in. A too-rich mixture (keep in mind that as it warms what is too-rich changes) will result in some fuel not becoming ignited and can result in a flooded condition where you have damp spark plugs. What you need is just the right mixture. Most motorcycles will need zero throttle when cranking and that is definitely the best way to approach a new bike. Some carbureted bikes do crank better with slight throttle, but these are rare cases. If you think you have flooded it hold the throttle wide full open to allow it to air out. Excessive flooding will require drying out the plugs.
# Activate key switch and make sure the [[kill switch]] (usually on right handlebar) is in the run position.
# Reach down and find the [[petcock]], also called a fuel shutoff and turn it to the ON position (some also have a prime, which is good for starting a bike that has been sitting). Some bikes have automatic petcocks so this step is not necessary.
# Activate the motorcycle's [[choke]].
# Make sure the kill switch of the motorcycle is set to RUN.
# Make sure the motorcycle [[gear shifter]] is in neutral.
# Squeeze the motorcycle [[clutch lever]] with your left hand all the way to the grip.
# Press the start button with your right thumb.
# Let the [[starter motor]] turn over until the engine fires before you release the start button.
# The motorcycle engine should be running at a fast idle.
# Over a period of a few minutes, gradually push the choke in as the motorcycle engine warms up.
# You have started the motorcycle and are ready to go!
==Tips==
# If the motorcycle engine fires and then immediately stalls, just press the start button again until it fires a second (or third) time.
# If engine does not start, recheck the kill switch and the fuel petcock.
# Modern motorcycles will stall if you attempt to put the bike in gear while the [[sidestand]] is down.  


The flip side of this issue is you are getting too little fuel (lean), in this case use the choke, make sure no gas lines are pinched, make sure vent tubes are clear, make sure air filter is secured. Loosen the carburetor drain screw and you may get rid of some water that might have accumulated, you could see it on what comes out as water will not mix with gas. Since your bike runs fine otherwise this is the less likely scenario.
==See Also==
[[Motorcycle cold starting trouble]]
 
 
[[Category:Troubleshooting]]

Latest revision as of 13:51, 8 July 2010

  1. Activate key switch and make sure the kill switch (usually on right handlebar) is in the run position.
  2. Reach down and find the petcock, also called a fuel shutoff and turn it to the ON position (some also have a prime, which is good for starting a bike that has been sitting). Some bikes have automatic petcocks so this step is not necessary.
  3. Activate the motorcycle's choke.
  4. Make sure the kill switch of the motorcycle is set to RUN.
  5. Make sure the motorcycle gear shifter is in neutral.
  6. Squeeze the motorcycle clutch lever with your left hand all the way to the grip.
  7. Press the start button with your right thumb.
  8. Let the starter motor turn over until the engine fires before you release the start button.
  9. The motorcycle engine should be running at a fast idle.
  10. Over a period of a few minutes, gradually push the choke in as the motorcycle engine warms up.
  11. You have started the motorcycle and are ready to go!

Tips[edit | edit source]

  1. If the motorcycle engine fires and then immediately stalls, just press the start button again until it fires a second (or third) time.
  2. If engine does not start, recheck the kill switch and the fuel petcock.
  3. Modern motorcycles will stall if you attempt to put the bike in gear while the sidestand is down.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Motorcycle cold starting trouble

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