Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Hard Start

I have brought this up before in my own threads but never gave this issue it's own Post.

I have consistent hard start issues with my 2002 BA.
It ALWAYS takes a good couple minutes to get the bike started, no matter the weather. But of course it is harder the colder it is.
At first I set the choke, then back it in when it wants to try and start. If I don't. It won't start at all.

sceptre exhaust
pods
brand new carb rubbers
brand new marine clamps on rubbers
new vacuum plugs

155 main jets
42 primary jets
needle is Nbad

I have checked some of the electrical connections. They seem good. Will go over these again.
Full charged battery.

I do have shims to try next.

After it starts. this beast runs beautifully.
the funny thing is the only time I have not had trouble with it starting is when I accidentally reversed the needle order in the carb. It fired right up. but of course would flood when I gave it fuel. So I am thinking the shims would work.

I think a larger pilot and mixture screw adjustment would fix your problem.

Quote:

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I think a larger pilot and mixture screw adjustment would fix your problem.

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I agree... try 45's.

Have you ever changed the ECM? You don't have a Procom unit installed by chance? They have been know to cause hard starting issues if the wrong map was installed.

You could also have a problem with the enrighener circuit. Is there any difference in the idle speed between when it is pulled out and pushed in (there should be)? I wonder if the circuit is plugged?

Finally, have your idle mixture (pilot) screws been adjusted out? With 42 pilots, you probably should be 2.5 to 3 turns out.

Gregger,
I have not. I did look over the electrical system but nothing popped out at me. SO, I will take a harder look at the ecu/ecm.
Idle speed changes as it should when adjusted.
Also, idle mixture has been adjusted and I think it is 2.5

I still think with your exhaust/intake set up you need a larger pilot and then a proper mixture screw adjustment.

Thanks The Dogg33.
Oddly enough I have 2 sets of 45 pilot jets.
I bought 1 set with shims but then found a set that Robert either never put in the bike or took back out. I don't know which.