Hard to Start or Cold Natured...

[ImConfused666]

Hello All. I just took delivery today on an '07 Venture with only 1462 miles. It had been laid down at slow speed. It was slow enough not to have broken the mirrors or scratched up the handlebars and yet low enough that it screwed up the right saddle bag and floor board and a few other cosmetic items. All fixed. It looks as good as new. I got a really good deal on it via eBay. So far, I've bought one other motorcycle, a car, truck and SUV this way and haven't been disappointed.

 

Now to the possible problem. I found it was hard to get it to start and then it would not accept anything other than idle speed until the bike had warmed up to normal operating temperature. Even then it seems to have a bit of a hesitation upon acceleration. The gas has been in there since at least last November so that could be affecting things a bit. As soon as it stops raining and I get over the effects of the drugs I was given for a back procedure this afternoon, I'll take it to the service station and fill it up.

 

Are the Ventures known for being cold natured? The temp is in the low 80's right now. The battery was completely dead and they told me they hadn't run it since back in October or November so it figures that the battery would have gone dead in that length of time. It charged right up with no problem in about an hour. Everything looks right on the bike and it sounds nice. It just seems like it needs to be up to normal temp in order to not die on me when the throttle is twisted more than about an eighth of a turn. I properly applied the choke to get it to crank and idle and backed it off after it got warmed up. My '99 Roadstar sure starts easier and runs better when cold than this thing does.

[SilvrT]

a number of possibilities here which I'm sure others will bring up but first thing comes to mind is SeaFoam ... run a can of that through it and see what happens. Could be all that's needed.

[Squidley]

The RSV's and for that matter 1st gens I have found to be cold blooded. I always put on full choke start them up and let them run for a couple of minutes. Once riding I take the choke off accordingly and have never had any real issues with them. Running the seafoam through it wont hurt a bit, and make sure that your carb sync is good.

[pegscraper]

That sounds abnormally cold natured. Mine generally just starts up and goes, no matter what the temperature. Without looking at it in person though, I don't really know what to suggest for you.

[rod]

I agree that seafoam or other good carb cleaner could help and can't hurt. A couple of other things, check the idle, some people turn it way down to sound more "Harley like". Check to make sure your choke linkage is working properly. I use full choke when cold and hit the start button put my gear on and turn off the choke and ride away.

Rod

MM Venture #222

[GeorgeS]

I would Drain the gas tank completly.

Also, Drain the Carb Bowls.

 

Use Sea-Foam, and also some HEET just in case there is moisture in the fuel tank.

 

Give it some running time, a tank or two, then replace the Spark Plugs, just to be sure they are good. NGK, OEM plugs are just fine.

[ImConfused666]

Thanks all. I ran that first stale tank of gas down to about 2 .5 gals remaining and filled it up with Premium gas and another can of Sea Foam. It is definitely beginning to run better. It started a good deal easier this morning and didn't hesitate to keep going (with 3/4 choke) as I started down my drive in 45 degree temp without a warm-up. I'm feeling better about it with each short ride. At this point, I've only done about 150 miles in the two days it hasn't been raining. I figure to run this tank down until I have to switch over to the reserve. Then, I'll put in another can of Sea Foam and fill it up again.

 

As another question.... Do most of you use Regular, Premium or Mid-grade gas? Just curious. My old Road Star was supposed to run no better on Rgeular than on Premium and that seemed to be my experience with it so I usually tanked it up with the cheap stuff. I've never had a 4-cyclinder or water-cooled bike so this is new to me. It's also been a long time since I had anything other than a V-twin so the need for slightly higher RPM's when starting caught me by surprise twice.

 

I'm starting to really like the way it feels on the road. Much easier on my old bones...

[Squidley]

I use 87 octane all the time, I have never had any problems using it. I have heard that some use premium grades if they have the Dana 3000 ignition on their bike to limit the spark knock. Other than that...I'll keep using the cheap stuff