starting is harder this week

[sc0ttie]

Not sure if it is anything to do with the hot weather but this week my fzs600 has started to take longer to fire up on the start button than it has done previously. Usually it starts in the morning first or 2nd go when i press the button for about 2 seconds. Same when i go back to it after work in the car park.


This week, It has taken 2 or 3 pushes of the button for about 4 seconds to get it fired up. This morning was not so bad, it just took a couple of goes but coming home from work today i had to press 3 times for 4 seconds to get it started and the choke was out halfway. Is this happening to others or is my ignition system about to go up the creek?
This is my first four stroke bike so I am not sure how they usually behave, being previously used to only 2 stroke bikes.

[noggythenog]

Been a little while since i had my fzs but you shouldnt need any choke in this weather, just turn ignition, wait until the fuel pump stops clicking/filling & then start her up

[sc0ttie]

Right noggy, but its been left in the hot car park all day would that not have any effect? I will try it in the morning with no choke and see how it goes. Perhaps because I have been using choke since I got it in February I am still using it when I don't need to and it causes this problem? bike seems to run fine when its started.

[noggythenog]

I wouldnt have thought that hot weather has anything to do with it other than what youve already said that you are still using the choke in the hot weather.


My suspicion is that because you arent using full choke it is still managing to start most times although the last couple days have been even hotter so your usual choke level has just proved too much.....it is obviously difficult with the choke lever to get an exact level replicated but i bet if you go out now, let the fuel pump do its thing and just start without any choke then bingo it should fire up straight away.


Famous last words

[bandit]

scottie I always give some choke all year round first thing in the morning & if it's been sitting all day, but try Noggys idea first. Just wonder if in this hot weather could it be fuel evaporation in carbs just needs a little more cranking.   

[noggythenog]

Bandit has a valid point...every bike is different and just because i didnt need to use choke doesnt mean that yours is the same......all sort of factors at play regarding battery and how well balanced the carbs are etc etc.


I always thought that so long as the pump was left to fill up before trying the ignition that evaporation was negated....hence you get more ticks during hot times or if youve somehow drained the carbs or left the bike standing over winter...... but again your iniviual style of starting maybe coming into play a bit if you are straight in with the key and onto the starter before it primes.

[sc0ttie]

I will try it in the morning, had company tonight so I couldn't get back out to the bike and start it up. I usually dont give much revs on the throttle either when I start it, perhaps I should try opening the throttle more than I do. will get back here tomorrow to say how it has started morning and evening.

[noggythenog]

Scottie...in the interst of the experiment i would just do whatever you usually do with the throttle until you rule out the choke.....dont change too many variables at once.


My personal opinion is that a good running bike shouldnt need any throttle.....to give throttle is surely doing what a choke would do anyway.......maybe it is different slightly i dunno......but anyway id just let the pump prime, no choke, no throttle and hit the starter.......woola!!!............or meh!!!!!!.....hiooefully woola!


I know in reality that isnt always the case but in theory thats how it should happen.

[darrsi]

scottie I always give some choke all year round first thing in the morning & if it's been sitting all day, but try Noggys idea first. Just wonder if in this hot weather could it be fuel evaporation in carbs just needs a little more cranking.

That's interesting, 'cos some fecker nicked my parking spot yesterday at work which is in the shade, and my bike ended up parked in the sun all day, and it took me about 5 attempts to start the bike after work, which did sound like lack of fuel.

[Jules-C]

Technique that often works for carb bikes is no choke press starter  button and then open throttle about half way.  Don't start to open throttle until bike cranking over

[sc0ttie]

so started bike without choke 3 times today, morning, lunchtime and evening. Starter button for 2 seconds or so and then a slight twist of throttle and it was away no problems. So will keep with the no choke way and hopefully it should be ok from now on. Oil light still comes on in the morning for a bout 10 seconds though, maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Checked oil level and thats fine so i just going to leave that for now.

[noggythenog]

so started bike without choke 3 times today, morning, lunchtime and evening. Starter button for 2 seconds or so and then a slight twist of throttle and it was away no problems. So will keep with the no choke way and hopefully it should be ok from now on. Oil light still comes on in the morning for a bout 10 seconds though, maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Checked oil level and thats fine so i just going to leave that for now.

Top result, that was a nice easy fix


Has it still been ok?

[mobile mouse]

Hi,
Something to think about how old is the battery. Mine is a Foxeye MY03, I am on my 2nd battery and the first lasted about 5 years.
I ride all year and I started to notice difficulty starting mid week, it usually goes on the optimate on Sunday evening for the coming week.
So I sometimes put it on the optimate midweek.


But 2 years ago i purchased a battery desulfator, this is what i purchased.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Desulfator-Rejuvinator-/201367305768?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368


It really works, so much so I use it on my car battery and it has revived that battery especially through winter...
It really allows the battery to take a full charge again.

[sc0ttie]

so started bike without choke 3 times today, morning, lunchtime and evening. Starter button for 2 seconds or so and then a slight twist of throttle and it was away no problems. So will keep with the no choke way and hopefully it should be ok from now on. Oil light still comes on in the morning for a bout 10 seconds though, maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Checked oil level and thats fine so i just going to leave that for now.

Top result, that was a nice easy fix


Has it still been ok?

Yep its still starting up easily with no choke required