Hard starting

This has happened several times recently. Wasn't sure if it was related to colder ambient temps, or what. Here's what I'm seeing.
I adjust choke lever as I usually do, ignition and stop switch on. Raise stand, pull in clutch and try to start. For a couple of months, it would start right up very quickly. Couple of weeks ago, it would just crank and so I moved the choke lever a little more to the left and figured it was due to colder temps. That worked a couple more times.
Last few times, I can keep cranking and tweaking the choke and no life. Eventually, I'll hear a catch, but need to baby things to get it running and today, decided to check some more things. I pulled 2 plug wires and using a screw driver, verified spark from both coils while cranking.
I don't smell a lot of fuel while cranking, so I do wonder about enrichment. Today, I pulled out the starting fluid and sprayed some in the airbox and it fired up. Once it runs, it runs. I can go to the store, let it sit for a little while and it starts right up again.
One thing I like about this bike is so few things to check (and maintain). Any thoughts on what else I should be checking?

 

Have you checked your valves recently? Tbh, I'm still rather new to understanding engines, however whenever my valves get tight it seems that my bike is harder to start. Or maybe the battery loses some steam as you crank and isn't firing with enough cranking amps the whole time? I could be totally off, but those two things usually affect my maxim when the temperatures start dropping

 

I adjusted my valves about 1400 miles ago when I first went through the bike. I have had the battery on the charger to try to eliminate low voltage issues. Not saying that isn't an issue.. I checked charge voltage when the bike was around 2000 RPM and it was 14.5+ volts. I'm willing to accept that the old harness may have spots of higher resistance (particularly at connectors). I verified my alternator field and stator coils resistances. I have a new fuse box installed. I'll have to see all the wires/connectors the B+ goes though before it gets to the TCI.

 

What's the temperature been lately?

What did you set the idle at this summer when it was hot out?

These things are connected.

 

I've been heading out with temps around 55. Yes, idle was set then, but I've also noticed idle has been about 400 rpm (or so) faster. Forgot to mention that! I'm pretty observant, but sometimes forgetful!

 

Relax my Seca does same thing ...These carbs do not have a normal "Choke" instead it is a fuel enrichment circuit . This time of year gas companies switch blends of fuel , so it is time to use Stabil Ethonal stabilizer it is green good stuff . I bike sits for a couple of weeks this is all it takes for fuel to start breaking down. I would also recommend using regular Stabil ( I put a shot in year around and a little Marvel ) ,but that is just me. The other thing is your battery is it maintained with a tender?

 

I wanted to say it was with my last fill-up, but wasn't 100% sure. Hmm, will grab some Stabil. Thought I'd wait till it was time for storage, but can't hurt to try some now.

 

its your battery. I'm 1200% sure of that. It's all the classic signs

it's not your valves. I"m 1200% sure of that, too----you did them not too long ago, and even if they HAVE gone out of spec, there's no way they could have Even remotely gotten THAT far out of spec yet.

Dave

 

It does feel like when I first tried to get the bike running (before buying it). No life at all till I got a new battery. This battery was new in June and I've driven about 1400 miles w/ it. I was driving the bike almost daily in the nice weather. That has tapered off with the temperature. I got some Stabil last night, and will get some of that in the tanks, because it can't hurt.
Do people use a tender normally when the bike is not "in storage"?

 

I use a tender if the bike is going to be sitting for more than a few days when its cold out.

try starting bike in neutral and do not pull in the clutch

 

Yes, but are you sure?

Sorry... could't help myself!

When is the next clinic?

 

I use a battery tender any time the bike is in the garage. Since I started doing that my bike has started almost immediately even in the cold. If you have one, I suggest you use it, but be sure you are starting with a good battery.

 

I went to start it up again today, just because... I'd been out of town for a week and just needed to hear it run.
Tried just starter fluid, no go. Volt meter low, so connected charger up for a couple of minutes, another shot of fluid and it starts up and runs. I know a bad battery can hurt the spark by limiting the voltage, even on a charger. I'm leaning towards hogfiddles bad battery assumption. That cheap-ass yuasa battery I bought in June. I'll get a moto-batt AGM deal in the spring, or maybe look for a sale over the winter.

 

So i had a 1 year-old Advance Auto parts battery, the fill it urself kind, that failed this summer. The previous one was great for 3 years. The load test at the shop didnt show an issue. It got worse and worse over a month, and sounds a lot like ur description.

I picked up a nice bright yellow MotoBatt off amazon, and was problem free again!

 

if the battery drops below 9.5 volts when cranking the tci will not fire

 

^ what he said! That was the proof for me. Batt read 12+ then dropped to 6.5 on start

 

Ordered the motobatt and tender today. Should have it installed for the next 50+ degree days.

 

Yup, I'm sure.

CNYCC#10 - June 10, 2017