Cleaned my carbs, bike runs great but difficult to cold start

[superdrizzle]

Cleaned my carbs, bike runs great but difficult to cold start. When its warm its starts right up, I have a new battery and a vmax starter installed. Used to start easier before I cleaned the carbs. I synced the carbs and it runs great, starts great when warm but I have to cheat sometimes to get her started with some carb cleaner when cold. I dont want to do that anymore, any advice is appreciated. I was thinking maybe the floats on the carbs but Im not expert, Maybe new jets? But tis was ok before I took it apart and tried to sonic clean it. I realize shes just old and dry but there has to be some adjustment. I use the choke to try to start but its a fuel issue.

[Patmac6075]

I'm certainly no expert here...are you sure your choke is working correctly?

The reason I ask, is it's not really a "choke"... it's actually an enricher system. Rather than restricting the airflow like a choke does, our system adds extra fuel in order to give a richer mixture and if your system is not set up correctly/working correctly, that could be one reason you're not firing when it's cold.

Also, how cold is cold? I know my bike is difficult to start below 40f....

[camos]

I'm certainly no expert here...are you sure your choke is working correctly?

I'm wondering the same thing. If your bike has sat for a long period of time then it is quite possible the fuel enrichment circuit (choke) is restricted if not plugged. When running Seafoam in the fuel to help finish cleaning the carbs it is also beneficial to open the choke for much longer than necessary for starting so the Seafoam can work it's way through the circuit.

 

There have been many instances of people cleaning the carbs and not getting the pilot jets clean enough which primarily affects the idle but can also impact how it runs when starting and when cruising off the throttle. This is where Seafoam can also be the most efficient option rather than pulling the carbs for another cleaning.

[superdrizzle]

I guess it is winter here in Colorado, also get the whistling on the speedo this time of year. I think Im going to play with the sync adjustments to just allow a little more fuel in a little seaform cant hurt and look at choke system, when I bought the bike it was disconnected altogether. Other than that very happy with my Venture Royale Im at 91,000 miles over here. Thanks for the responses.

[videoarizona]

You might spray some cleaner on the choke linkage parts then look at the little plungers to see if they are pulling out on all 4 carbs. They should pull out and push in about the same throw. If that doesn't help, then popping off the cover of the enrichment assembly on the side of the carb, cleaning and checking for oepration is next.

 

Seafoam never hurts!

[cowpuc]

Yep,, if she were mine the first thing I would do is check where the cable connects to the carb - make sure that puppy is pulled back so the cable has very little slack in it when the lever is in the closed position. Also not a bad idea to check the bracket that holds the cable for being bent out of position. That thing is a little vulnerable when pulling the carb bank. Then as mentioned, operate the chock while watching the plungers where the linkage hooks up - make sure the linkages are in the grooves and the plungers are in fact opening all the way. Full open with the plungers is very important for cold starting..

[cowpuc]

Another thing you can try is - sit on the bike so its not leaning over, fully open/engage the choke lever to "CHOKE", turn the key on, listen to the fuel pump complete a run cycle, flip the kill switch off and then back on again to run the fuel pump thru another cycle, keep cycling the fuel pump this way until you hear the fuel pump slowly come to a stop in its clicking so you know your carb bowls are full. Now leaving your choke fully on, dont twist the throttle - hit the starter.. If it doesnt fire off with a couple trys, close the choke and open the throttle a little to see if its over choked.

Also, blackened plugs will cause hard starting when cold.. Might not be a bad idea to stick some new plugs in her - gap em on the tight side of spec for room to spread, should be good for 15k easily if you dont over choke em..

If you have been fiddling with the sync screws with no gauges on her you will DEFINITELY want to sync her out (should get used to doing it regularly - its easy and fast maintenance).. Another thing that can create hard cold start is diaphram tears - lean her out some.. Also makes for very poor performance and lousy MPG.. May wanna check em.. Also look, listen and check for cracked rubber manifold and vacuum hose leaks causing lean if ya cant find it.. Another spot I have had issues with is high resistance on the plug caps - unscrew em and clean em up at the wires and internally on the resisters may help..

Know what cha mean about that DOG GONE - SCARE THE LIVING DAY LIGHTS OUT OF YA - WAKE UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDO SQUEEL!! Search Speedometer lubrication - should find LOTS of good stuff to fix that horror story LOL