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SVK100
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« on: October 25, 2014, 01:12:18 PM » |
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I just picked up a 2001 Interstate 6 weeks ago and just love the beast. Being in Western Canada it is getting fairly cool. I am having a problem staring it in the mornings (temp about 30F or -2C). It wants to flood very easily and I have not used the hand throttle or the choke. It takes a good 10 spins before it can run. Can certainly smell fuel and reacts like it is flooded. I have read some of the comments from other riders but not sure we have the same problem. Any suggestions. Thank you
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eric in md
Member
Posts: 2495
ride hard now we all can rest when were gone !!!
in the mountains .......cumberland md
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« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2014, 01:21:32 PM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
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Bighead
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« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2014, 02:42:14 PM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
+1  when you think the choke is open push it more it won't break but you will think it will ??? |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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fordmano
Member
Posts: 1457
San Jose, CA. 1999 I/S 232 miles when bought 11/05
San Jose, CA.
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« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2014, 02:48:19 PM » |
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If you think it is over fueling then Shut the fuel off at the Petcock until it actually tries to start. Not knowing your mechanical experience it is very difficult to really explain what to do.
Maybe you need to have the carbs synched or maybe some other issue needs attention in your carb/fuel system. In the type of temps you mention mine has definitely needed a choke but always started reasonably easy if the battery was at full charge and no fuel/carb issues.
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« Last Edit: October 25, 2014, 02:50:08 PM by fordmano »
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  83GS550 93XR650L TARD! 97WR250 99ValkyrieI/S Tri-tone 01YZ125(x2) 05DRZ-125 |
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sandy
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« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2014, 02:59:12 PM » |
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Shut the petcock at night. Smelling fuel before it starts tells me there might be another issue. Before starting, pull all the plugs to see if you have fuel dampness on them. Issues could be petcock leaking or carb floats leaking. Put the battery on a smart charger in those cold temps. www.CTEK.com Model 3300 is what I use. |
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2014, 03:27:26 PM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
+1 when you think the choke is open push it more it won't break but you will think it will ??? He's NOT using the choke  |
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Bighead
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« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2014, 03:32:57 PM » |
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I understood that but I think he should be.  |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Michvalk
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« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2014, 06:32:49 PM » |
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Make sure you are closing the choke all the way, and don't touch the throttle. Should start right up and gain engine speed as it warms. Every one of these things start slightly different, but, this should work for you. If it still wants to flood, you may have one of the other problems described. |
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Fiat Lux
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« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2014, 07:22:08 PM » |
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Good hear from another Valk ride in the Prairie West! I have a 2001 Standard in black with a silver stripe.
Cool weather starting is a problem for me too. Set the choke at this time of year and don't touch the throttle no matter how slowly it seems to be running.
Fiat Lux
Lethbridge, Alberta
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2014, 08:47:29 PM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
+1 when you think the choke is open push it more it won't break but you will think it will ??? He's NOT using the choke But he needs to. |
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2014, 02:40:48 AM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
+1 when you think the choke is open push it more it won't break but you will think it will ??? He's NOT using the choke But he needs to. He says it seems to be flooding easily. He also smells fuel heavily and acts like it is flooded. Not sure how the choke would help that. Seems there is another issue here other then a lesson in how to use the choke which I know is a common mistake of some. |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15230
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2014, 10:08:27 AM » |
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SVK100, keep in mind, these carbs don't have an accelerator pump so blipping the throttle before hitting the starter only exercises the wrist....nothing more. As for the fuel smell, I agree with others....you may have another problem lurking, such as a petcock starting to go bad. If the engine starts to turn over with the starter and suddenly comes to an unexplained stop, do NOT hit the starter again. Pull the plugs to see if one cyl. is full of gas. If you keep hitting the starter, you'll tear up starter gears inside and will be looking at a major repair. Do as suggested, turn off the petcock the night before and use the choke when starting the next day. If/when it starts, turn on the petcock. If that helps, you do have a petcock problem. As for the choke lever, while it moves easily you're just taking up slack. At that point press it down past where it moves easy...now you're engaging the choke. Keep us posted on what you find. |
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5763
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2014, 10:38:15 AM » |
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First thing I would do is start the bike, and go for a ride.
When you're somewhere you know you can go for miles without stopping (back country road), turn off your petcock.
The engine should start starving for fuel about a mile or so (some report sooner, others longer). Then turn it back on.
If it doesn't starve for fuel, then you have a petcock problem.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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Kunkies
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« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2014, 11:50:09 AM » |
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use the choke.
How thick is your oil? 30 degree weather and 20w-something viscosity is NOT conducive to an easy cold start nor it it good for your engine.
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Radman
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« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2014, 12:32:40 PM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
+1 when you think the choke is open push it more it won't break but you will think it will ??? He's NOT using the choke But he needs to. +1 Coming from Canada as well....I've got the same issue with starting in the cold weather. Push choke all the way...push more....don't touch the throttle and she should start right up. Do try the empty road and turn fuel petcock off test as well. Should be in 2-4kms of fuel in your line before you start to starve the engine of fuel. |
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signart
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« Reply #15 on: October 29, 2014, 12:39:31 PM » |
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Don't understand recommending activating the enricher (choke) for an engine that is flooded as the op implies. ???
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16785
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2014, 03:44:39 PM » |
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Don't understand recommending activating the enricher (choke) for an engine that is flooded as the op implies. ???
Maybe he only starts smelling gas after the seventh or eighth try? It would be a weird Valkyrie that would start easily without the choke at 30 degrees... -Mike |
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5763
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #17 on: October 29, 2014, 05:40:51 PM » |
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The original poster has not come back, so lets wait to hear back before conjecturing more ifs.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS |
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Bighead
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« Reply #18 on: October 29, 2014, 07:08:51 PM » |
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The original poster has not come back, so lets wait to hear back before conjecturing more ifs.
Profile says he hasn't visited since post.  |
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #19 on: October 30, 2014, 04:12:03 AM » |
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The original poster has not come back, so lets wait to hear back before conjecturing more ifs.
Profile says he hasn't visited since post. Hate when that happens or they never let you know outcome so we have references for the future  |
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Icelander
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« Reply #20 on: October 30, 2014, 09:51:54 PM » |
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Well, I'm grateful for this post as I thought maybe my choke was malfunctioning. Turns out that the lock nut at the handlebars was loose but it also caused me to look seriously at the choke. Felt like an idiot when I noticed that the choke could move further. Got her out this morning in 40 degree weather here in Seattle and she started *so* much easier.  Thanks guys! Kendall |
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1998 Valkyrie Tourer.
VRCC Member #36337
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SVK100
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« Reply #21 on: October 31, 2014, 04:05:12 PM » |
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Hello, very sorry for the delay in responding. Thank you for insisting on really insisting on hammering down on the choke. It definitely turns over and idles at a steady 2000 rpm. Regarding the fuel smell, I am trying to see if it is a vent problem. I had quite a bit of play in the throttle (because of the throttle), I tighten this up, will see if this had anything to do with it. With below 32F weather and no warm garage to work in, this makes it more of a task (winter is approaching). Possibly a spring job. I want to thank you all for your help and I will keep you all posted on the progress.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #22 on: October 31, 2014, 04:43:55 PM » |
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Well, I'm grateful for this post as I thought maybe my choke was malfunctioning. Turns out that the lock nut at the handlebars was loose but it also caused me to look seriously at the choke. Felt like an idiot when I noticed that the choke could move further. Got her out this morning in 40 degree weather here in Seattle and she started *so* much easier. Thanks guys! Kendall Don't feel bad. I went a year before I realized I could really use the enricher. |
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flcjr
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« Reply #23 on: November 03, 2014, 03:57:07 PM » |
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push your choke,, as it stops push it 1/4 farther.. see if that dont help..
Mine finally broke this fall |
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sawdustar
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« Reply #24 on: November 05, 2014, 01:21:19 PM » |
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hey, if I apply choke, it won't stay but does slowly go back towards the normal run position. Is there a way I can apply more tension somewhere so when I apply choke it will stay?
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Thank You,
Dennis
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16785
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #25 on: November 05, 2014, 01:38:07 PM » |
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hey, if I apply choke, it won't stay but does slowly go back towards the normal run position. Is there a way I can apply more tension somewhere so when I apply choke it will stay?
I took my clutch lever off and cleaned and lubed the little brass frob and the pushrod and stuff. When I put it all back together, my choke lever started returning on its own. Anywho, if you look down to your right, at the carb tops, you can see what is moving when you push the choke lever. If I hold that down for a few seconds after I engage the choke, it "pretty much" stays. It is getting better, hasn't been long... Have you lubed anything near the clutch lever/choke lever recently? -Mike |
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sawdustar
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« Reply #26 on: November 05, 2014, 02:58:18 PM » |
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I took my clutch lever off and cleaned and lubed the little brass frob and the
pushrod and stuff.
When I put it all back together, my choke lever started returning on its own.
Anywho, if you look down to your right, at the carb tops, you can see what is moving
when you push the choke lever. If I hold that down for a few seconds after I engage the choke, it
"pretty much" stays. It is getting better, hasn't been long...
Have you lubed anything near the clutch lever/choke lever recently?
-Mike
Mike, No I haven't. I've wanted to, but I have not had the time to take it all apart and clean/lube things up. It's been this way since I was given the bike just over a year ago. |
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Thank You,
Dennis
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