Topic: 750: why so difficult to kick over

[Henning]

I'd like to think it's because I have masses of compression, but the engine is stock and with close to 50K miles on the clock, I don't think that's the case. Oil is 20W50 and it was cold in the garage, 3C / 37F, so obviously that wasn't helping. Also, the stop valve in the oil pump is buggered so all the oil drains to the sump. So is this just the oil dragging on the crank as I try to kickstart it or could there be something else binding. Bike runs well otherwise and revs happily. Thanks.

[ekpent]

 Sounds like a plausible explanation. How long had it been sitting since it was turned over last ? I know I don't move as well when its very cold   

[Henning]

It last ran it in October, so it's been sitting all winter. I do turn it over once in a while with the kicker. It's been an issue the last few years, I'm posting as I don't recall any posts about this specific problem, even though the leaky stop valve is a well known problem.

[RandomOrbit]

I notice a significant difference on cold mornings, down in the mid-30s F as compared even to mid 40s. I use 10w40, I expect 20w50 would be even more pronounced.

[PeWe]

Start and let it idle for a few minutes?
Oil pump that let oil flow to sump should not be any problem. My CB750 K6 had such pump the first 100.000 km. I replaced it 2 years ago with a pump that keep oil longer in tank.

[2wheels]

remove the spark plugs and try.

[Henning]

The problem is getting it started in the first place :-) Battery is old and tired so it's kick only until I get round to buying a new one. But it's like kickstarting through thick treacle so question is what's causing that.