Occasional trouble starting the bike...

[Stonecutter in SF]

Hey guys,

The other issue I ran into in general but especially on my road trip was the bike not starting the first few tries.  temp wasn't an issue as i was in 80 degree weather.  Issue seemed to be more common after the bike had been sitting for a while or after refuel.  no clicking or thunking, just the starter whirring and..nothing.

What solved the problem every time was twisting the throttle ever so slightly when I pushed the starter button.  I'd then get a big VROOM and a smooth idle...no further issues.

Any ideas whats going on, or is this normal?

Thanks!

[Valkpilot]

Hey guys,

The other issue I ran into in general but especially on my road trip was the bike not starting the first few tries.  temp wasn't an issue as i was in 80 degree weather.  Issue seemed to be more common after the bike had been sitting for a while or after refuel.  no clicking or thunking, just the starter whirring and..nothing.

What solved the problem every time was twisting the throttle ever so slightly when I pushed the starter button.  I'd then get a big VROOM and a smooth idle...no further issues.

Any ideas whats going on, or is this normal?

Thanks!

Cranking but no firining is often due to a weak battery.

[big poppa pump]

I had similar issues with my old shadow. Bike would cold start without any problems. Every now and then when I used to make a fuel stop or a quick run to the grocery store, I would have to crank it a couple of times before it started. Tried everything including rebuilding starter, battery tested out perfectly, stator and R/R passed with flying colours. What helped me was to change the spark plugs from Iridium back to Standard.

[Willow]

Cranking but no firining is often due to a weak battery.

A weak battery generally results in firing when one lets off the starter.

Firing resulting in a slight throttle turn sounds like a fuel mixture issue or just that it needs a little throttle to start.  Neither indicates a really big problem.

[Michvalk]

My I/S will NOT start without a little throttle cold or hot. Has always been that way, and runs very good. No problems with carb sync, Or fuel mix. Decent mileage (38 on a reasonable ride) and 4 degree trigger wheel is the only mod

[Firefighter]

My 2000 IS does the same. Starts very quickly when its cold, but when I ride somewhere, and let it sit for ten minutes or longer, I have to open the throttle slightly or it will crank too long before starting. If I stop and start within a couple of minutes it will start quickly with out any throttle needed. Can be a problem when I am bragging about the bike and then go to start it. I have had this problem for years and have changed batteries, cleaned carbs, etc. I would think with six carbs, the bike would start better. This is the only bike that I have owned that acts this way. I have posted on this site about this problem before. I don't know if other Valks are this way. Any one figure this out let us know.     Firefighter

[Ricky-D]

I don't believe there is any literature produced by Honda that says to start the bike, as is talked about so often on this forum.

The number of carburetors have no bearing of start-ability.

Using a little throttle to start the motor is usually the norm (with internal combustion motors that run on gasoline).

With all the newer motors, cars and motorcycles, with the emphasis on economy - manufacturers have done away with carburetors and replaced them with fuel injection.

Now with fuel injection, the way to start them is to leave the throttle alone and simply turn the key or press the button.  This is the new normal.

But for the Valkyrie, sometimes a little blip of the throttle is a necessary thing to attain a good start-up.

Perfectly normal.

***

[HayHauler]

My I/S will NOT start without a little throttle cold or hot. Has always been that way, and runs very good. No problems with carb sync, Or fuel mix. Decent mileage (38 on a reasonable ride) and 4 degree trigger wheel is the only mod

+1   

But mine is bone stock and reacts exactly the same way.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[R J]

My I/S will NOT start without a little throttle cold or hot. Has always been that way, and runs very good. No problems with carb sync, Or fuel mix. Decent mileage (38 on a reasonable ride) and 4 degree trigger wheel is the only mod

+1  

But mine is bone stock and reacts exactly the same way.

Hay  
Jimmyt

JimmyT, in your case it is all operator problem.      LOL.....
You left that door open Bro.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Now, I've seen Valk's that had to have a 1/16 of a twist on the throttle to start, also seen, NO throttle, that is the way mine is.

I had a Valk rider, name not important, tell me he blipped his throttle before he hit the bump button and it fired right off.    Asked him how the blipping of the throttle helped, he said it sprayed a little gas in the chamber.    So, I pin pointed to him there were NO accelerator pump(s) on your bike carbs.

He quit blipping the throttle about 8 years ago now and hasn't had a problem starting that I know of.

[cashman]

Mine acts the same way.  Part of the Valkyrie charm and character! 

[fordmano]

About the same for me also,,, Just live with it and ride. (when you can)