[Spring Brook Rider]

Just wondering about something. When our bikes sit for several days and we go to start em up, is it common for first, the left cylinder to begin firing and then a few seconds later the right one catches on? If so, is this due to the flow of fuel taking longer to reach the right side carb? And, does cranking the throttle prior to cranking the engine help get fuel into the cylinder to speed up the starting process?

 

[Shep]

Yes it does happen and that is most likely the reason.Two ways to avoid putting a strain on the starter and battery.



1:Remove air filter and spray WD40/Carb brake cleaner through the gauze filter and crank the bike.



2:There is a bleed screw on the left hand side of each carb(Right hand side carb needs a long necked flat blade).



With a receptacle placed under the overflow pipes release each screw to allow fuel to flow out and prime the carbs and then screw back securely.This also helps drain any moisture that may have built up in the bottom of the float bowls.





HTH

 

[WisconsinCX]

Also keep it on the centerstand not the kickstand.

 

[marshallf3]

Jut turn the petcock on and do your "pre-flight check" before you go starting it, that will allow time for the right carb bowl to fill.



If my bike has sat - even overnight - I NEVER go on a ride without doing the equivalent of a private pilot's pre-flight check. I walk all around it looking for anything that may be loose, I feel the tires for air pressure, visually scan the various nuts, bolts, hoses and wires, try out the "feel" of all the cables and rear brake and visually look into the gas tank to verify fuel. It only takes a half a minute, but you never know what some joker may have done while passing by during the night. Even if you keep it locked up it isn't a bad idea to do some spot checks on a regular basis including all the lighting.

 

[Allan]

And, does cranking the throttle prior to cranking the engine help get fuel into the cylinder to speed up the starting process?

This may help if you have an accelerator pump on your carbs,,I think they were on 1980 and later models. Two or 3 quick twists should be enough.

2:There is a bleed screw on the left hand side of each carb(Right hand side carb needs a long necked flat blade).



With a receptacle placed under the overflow pipes release each screw to allow fuel to flow out and prime the carbs and then screw back securely.This also helps drain any moisture that may have built up in the bottom of the float bowls.

HTH

If you have a vacuum petcock(1981 and later) you can refill the carb bowls after doing this by blowing into the vent tube that runs from the petcock to the bottom of the bike with the other hoses.

 

[Spring Brook Rider]

Thanks guys.

 

[rickbert]

OR hee hee:



With the vacuum petcock you can simply pull the suction tube off of the right carb and kind of suck on it like a straw to get the fuel flowing...it might be a little cleaner and easier to do than getting to the one from the bottom of the bike. I made sure my new vacuum tube that runs to the right carb was a tad longer than necessary so I could do this easier when needed !



On the 82 model such as mine...it has both the vacuum petcock AND the accelerator pump so the options are unlimited ! LOL

 

[Abes_CW]

After sitting more than 2 days, without exception I leave the killswitch off, and crank the engine about 6 times. This is enough to fill the bowls. Flip the switch to run and she purrs away.