Bike is hard to start when cold

[6ft1_grand]

The longer my bike sits the harder it is start. The logical fix would be to ride it more often and never let it sit. However, here in the Pacific Northwest, weather dictates some of my riding decisions.

The bike has no problem turning over, it just takes quite a bit of time before she'll actually rumble to life. I looked at the enrichment slider on the top of the carbs and it's sliding all the way over until it hits the stop screw. So, I'm guessing that's not out of adjustment....??? Is there a possibility that the enrichment isn't enriching as much as it should even though it's sliding as far as it can? Or, is there something other than the enrichment that I should be looking at?

John
1995 Voyager XII

[Gator Mike]

If my bike sits for several days apparently the carbs drain and the engine has to turn for a while to fill the carbs up. (fuel pump only works while starter button is pushed in on start up). I put a toggle switch before the starter relay and with the toggle switch on it prevents the starter from working. I can now push the starter button and fill the carbs with out the starter actually turning. Once the carbs are full I throw the toggle switch to off and the bike starts quickly. Hope that helps.....Gator Mike

[cushman eagle]

If my bike sits for several days apparently the carbs drain and the engine has to turn for a while to fill the carbs up. (fuel pump only works while starter button is pushed in on start up). I put a toggle switch before the starter relay and with the toggle switch on it prevents the starter from working. I can now push the starter button and fill the carbs with out the starter actually turning. Once the carbs are full I throw the toggle switch to off and the bike starts quickly. Hope that helps.....Gator Mike

I did the same thing to mine about three years ago Made it as easy to start after setting a month as it is setting over night

[6ft1_grand]

Awesome idea, Thanks!!!!

So I was able to locate the starter relay on the wiring diagram but where is it located on the bike? Once I get to it, which wire do I put the switch in?

Thanks so much for your help!!!!

[cushman eagle]

I found the post titled ' Hard Start after sitting solutions'dated about November 2008 in the tech tips forum,and followed that advice..I think it is the white wire running along the left frame tube just at the bottom of the false tank.Do a little more research before you take my word for it,as I don't have my false tank off right now.

[6ft1_grand]

Awesome!!!!

I put the switch in and it works great and well as giving me an extra security feature.

Thanks so much for your help!!!


-John-
1995 Voyager XII