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Author Topic: Why won't it start on the first kick every time  (Read 1736 times)

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Offline aperry

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Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« on: September 29, 2012, 03:17:12 PM »
My 750K3 (kick only) has been pretty reliable since I got it on the road this summer.  But one thing I've noticed is that it often takes two or three kicks to get it started, particularly if it's been sitting a couple days.  If the engine is warm (within a few hours of riding) it'll start right up on the first kick every time.  But if I let it sit a day or two then it'll often take two-three kicks to do it.

Just out of curiosity, what is the common cause of this?  Is it ignition related?  Carbs?  Would an electronic ignition system (or Hondaman ignition) solve this?  Obviously not the end of the world, just curious.  Frankly, it's nice that this is one of my biggest complaints.

Thanks!
Aaron
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2012, 03:21:12 PM »
It probably takes a few kicks to get a combustible mixture into the chambers. If that's all you have to worry about you're laughing.
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Offline trueblue

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2012, 03:29:35 PM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on September 29, 2012, 03:21:12 PM
It probably takes a few kicks to get a combustible mixture into the chambers. If that's all you have to worry about you're laughing.
+1.  I have found with my bike if it sits for less than 3 days it starts up first touch of the button (it's a 650, so no kicker).  If it sits for longer than 3 days it takes a little convincing to start.
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Offline jason41987

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2012, 03:44:59 PM »
lester is right.. you have to cycle the engine a couple times to open the valves and get some fuel into it before it can start... so thats why i dont kick it three times actually expecting it to start three times, but ill usually just rotate the kicker a couple times and on the third one actually kick it
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Offline george

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2012, 03:47:57 PM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on September 29, 2012, 03:21:12 PM
It probably takes a few kicks to get a combustible mixture into the chambers. If that's all you have to worry about you're laughing.
Les is right !! Just figure you are waking her up from slumber , the bike is cold ! Wish that was the only prob mine had !
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2012, 03:48:08 PM »
Just to add to this, I recently got Hondamans ignition and find mine starts on the electric much easier than before.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline aperry

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2012, 04:00:49 PM »
Wow, quick replies, thanks guys! 

Just taking this a step further, if the bike starts on the first kick a few hours after the previous ride but it takes two or three kicks after the bike sits for a couple days, then what happens between hour 3 and hour 36 to make it more difficult?  Does the existing combustible mixture dry out or change in some way?  I assume there's some mixture sitting in the cylinders or intake boots and somehow it becomes less potent?

Sorry, just trying to understand it better.  Thanks!

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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2012, 04:02:45 PM »
The mixture is atomized when it enters the cylinders, I presume it condenses after a while.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline lucky

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2012, 04:04:26 PM »
Modern cars with fuel injection are so good now that you all expect 35 year motorcycles to be the same. Sorry.
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Offline aperry

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2012, 04:08:01 PM »
Don't get me wrong, I'm not surprised by this and I've read enough around here to know that it's pretty standard.  Just trying to understand what causes it and whether there's a solution.  Anyway, thanks Lester and everyone else!
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Offline killersoundz

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2012, 04:27:45 PM »
My bike won't run with the choke on at all, but I will use the choke to help cold start it sometimes. Turn the choke on, give it a kick, turn the choke off another kick there will be nothing, then 3rd kick starts right up.
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Offline 2wheels

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #11 on: September 29, 2012, 04:40:35 PM »
I cannot answer your question.
But I can tell you my 78 F3 starts first time every time, no matter if it is cold or hot or warm.
I have no idea why.  I have never seen a bike like this, but I'm not complaining.
The engine is running before the kick start is at the bottom of its throw.

Once it is running, if cold, it takes a long time before it will make the bike move.  Like 2 minutes or so.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2012, 04:42:34 PM by 2wheels »
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2012, 04:43:11 PM »
Do you ever need the choke 2wheels?
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline killersoundz

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2012, 04:53:22 PM »
clutch adjustment screw.....under clutch cover. flat head screw in the middle
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My CB750K4 Starting up for the first time after a seized motor and rebuild!

Offline Schnell

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2012, 05:46:57 PM »
IF you were to spray quick start into the carbs it would (more than likely) start on the first kick after standing for a few days.

So the reason that it doesn't, is because of the fuel supply.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2012, 06:13:47 PM by Schnell »
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Offline 2wheels

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2012, 05:54:54 PM »
"Do you ever need the choke 2wheels?"
Yup, full choke for starting all the time, except when the bike is hot - like at normal operating temperature.
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2012, 06:15:46 PM »
Quote from: 2wheels on September 29, 2012, 05:54:54 PM
"Do you ever need the choke 2wheels?"
Yup, full choke for starting all the time, except when the bike is hot - like at normal operating temperature.

So that's my "too rich" theory squashed then.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2012, 06:47:01 PM »
At 30 plus years old i think 2-3 kicks on a cold start is fine, my missus has to kick me at least 5 times to get me going in the morning.... :P
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Why won't it start on the first kick every time
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2012, 06:49:11 PM »
I can't ever remember having a bike that started first kick.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional
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