 Bookmark
|
|
DCIntruder
Gender: 
Posts: 92
Joined: Mar 2012
From: DC / Alexandria, VA
Bike: VS800
1999 Intruder VS800; Approx 20K mi
|
Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:16 PM (Msg. 1 of 38)
|
|
Hi all,
Is it normal for these bikes to be hard to start on a cold morning? Mine is parked outside covered or in a shed. Choke doesn't help, actually makes it worse. The engine seems to bog down and flood when I try and start it with the choke. So I never use it.
My choke can be pulled out to 2 notches. Is that normal? It slips back in if I don't hold it out. I need to fix something.
In the winter this bike took about 5-6 tries before it started. Today a 50 deg morning it took 3 attempts. On a warm day it fires right up on thefirst attempt and in 1 second.
Is this normal? If not what can I do...any help is appreciated.
Edited by DCIntruder on Apr 5, 2012 at 11:25 PM
|
 |
CGHerc130Mech
Gender:
Posts: 849
Joined: Jun 2010
From: Honolulu, HI
Bike: Honda
Jesus Christ: Alpha, Omega, Beginning, End
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 04:07 AM (Msg. 2 of 38)
|
|
Hey DC,
Lets try, & always try easy fix 1st. One thing to remember is that these bikes, since they 1st appeared back in '85, have always had carbs. I wish when Suzuki changed the name to Boulevard, like my '07, for market sales that they would have implemented fuel injection.
So, naturally they are hard to initially turn over in cold weather. As far as your choke, (enricher actually) goes, try hand tightening clockwise that black plastic collar thingamajig behind pull knob. Sometimes they can loosen due to the heavy vibration of these bikes. That should solve ur problem of it not staying out when pulled. Also, let the beast warm up for a good 10min before riding. Hope this helps, bub.
God Bless,
Jason
Enos you dipstick! Well, hot possum on a gumbush Sheriff!
Phillipians 4:13 I Can Do All Things Through CHRIST Who Strengthens Me.
|
|
vagov
Gender:
Posts: 876
Joined: Feb 2011
From: pittsburgh, PA
Bike: VS800
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 06:06 AM (Msg. 3 of 38)
|
|
i pull my chock out all the way, then when you think its out all the way pull alittle more. thats how my 800 is. pretty common for cold starts. mine sits in a un heated garage. also if you keep a battery tender on it, it helps.
|
|
Lechy
Gender:
Posts: 5194
Joined: Jan 2008
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Bike: VS700/750
Grow old disgracefully
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 06:29 AM (Msg. 4 of 38)
|
|
Pull the "choke" and DON'T twist the throttle, you'll flood her.
|
|
navigator
Gender:
Posts: 6494
Joined: Jun 2007
From: Frostbite Falls, NY
Bike: S50
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 08:38 AM (Msg. 5 of 38)
|
|
My choke will go 4 notches.
|
|
BRONX INTRUDER
Gender:
Posts: 5661
Joined: May 2010
From: Bronx, NY
Bike: VS1400
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 09:15 AM (Msg. 6 of 38)
|
|
Might I add that if your carbs are out of synch; It can also make it harder to start when cold.
|
|
Wimp
Gender:
Posts: 116
Joined: Oct 2011
From: Southside, AL
Bike: S50
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to.
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 09:25 AM (Msg. 7 of 38)
|
|
Quote:BRONX INTRUDER wrote:
Might I add that if your carbs are out of synch; It can also make it harder to start when cold.
+10 You say it seems to bog down and flood. Has anyone messed with the A/F screws? Might be to rich. How about spark plugs? May not have enough fire to ignite the fuel mixture.
|
|
Tilos
Gender:
Posts: 2169
Joined: Dec 2010
From: Kuna, ID
Bike: S50
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 10:00 AM (Msg. 8 of 38)
|
|
Choke Knob
Twisting/tightening the rubber base behind the choke knob will increase the friction so the knob does not creep back in, and stays out without holding it.
Some just pull it out and put a penny behind the knob to hold it out/open.
Tilos
ANY MANUAL IS BETTER THAN NONE
750/800: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/96125666/Suzuki_Vs_700_800_Intruder_Service_Manual_Eng.pdf
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?6iymtvtm13j83u1
Tilos
|
|
DCIntruder
Gender:
Posts: 92
Joined: Mar 2012
From: DC / Alexandria, VA
Bike: VS800
1999 Intruder VS800; Approx 20K mi
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 01:14 PM (Msg. 9 of 38)
|
|
You guys are great. Thank you. Few questions though...
If the carbs are out of sync won't my idle be erratic. My bike is not sluggish when warmed up. I don't know if the previous owners messed with the carbs but on a warm day the bike runs perfectly, starts right up, doesn't bog down, no erratic idle, good low end acceleration, good return to idle from high rpm.
My choke only goes out 2 notches? Is that not normal? Navigator says 4. Maybe that is my problem.
Say I start on a warm day w/o the choke like I always do, if I pull the choke right after I start w/o ever twisting the throttle, the bike will idle a little higher for a few seconds then bog down and die. Subsequent starts are harder with or without choke.
|
|
DAS100
Gender:
Posts: 105
Joined: Mar 2006
From: Phoenix, AZ
Bike: S50
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 05:38 PM (Msg. 10 of 38)
|
|
Adjusting your A/F idle mixture, might make your choke more responsive.
|
|
DCIntruder
Gender:
Posts: 92
Joined: Mar 2012
From: DC / Alexandria, VA
Bike: VS800
1999 Intruder VS800; Approx 20K mi
|
|
Posted: Apr 6, 2012 11:10 PM (Msg. 11 of 38)
|
|
Quote:DAS100 wrote:
Adjusting your A/F idle mixture, might make your choke more responsive.
How do I go about adjusting the A/F mixture on this bike? Bike runs fine once started. The last time I did this on another bike I had a hard time getting the mixture right .
I checked the choke again and confirmed that once it's on, the bike bogs down and dies. I believe it is too rich.
|
|
High Desert Intruder
Gender:
Posts: 27290
Joined: Jun 2004
From: Torrance, CA
Bike: LC1500
Goin' for a Ride!
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 12:39 AM (Msg. 12 of 38)
|
|
Quote:DCIntruder wrote:
How do I go about adjusting the A/F mixture on this bike? Bike runs fine once started. The last time I did this on another bike I had a hard time getting the mixture right .
I checked the choke again and confirmed that once it's on, the bike bogs down and dies. I believe it is too rich.
Here ya go... Air/Fuel mix. screws
One other thing that I found helped my bike on cold starts...Iridium plugs. I'm not going to say that I gained tons of power and mileage out of them, but they great for cold starts and seem to run well on all my bikes which is mostly what I'm looking for anyway.
Oh and my choke pulls out about 3 clicks....Seems like they are not always the same in that regard Edited by High Desert Intruder on Apr 7, 2012 at 12:41 AM
Click on Engine for Star Washer Fix 
|
|
mjbhawg
Gender:
Posts: 624
Joined: Feb 2010
From: murrells inlet, SC
Bike: VS1400
RIDE AND HIDE
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 12:40 AM (Msg. 13 of 38)
|
|
12 streetglide
95 VS1400
|
|
High Desert Intruder
Gender:
Posts: 27290
Joined: Jun 2004
From: Torrance, CA
Bike: LC1500
Goin' for a Ride!
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 12:42 AM (Msg. 14 of 38)
|
|
Quote:
Click on Engine for Star Washer Fix
|
|
DCIntruder
Gender:
Posts: 92
Joined: Mar 2012
From: DC / Alexandria, VA
Bike: VS800
1999 Intruder VS800; Approx 20K mi
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 11:05 AM (Msg. 15 of 38)
|
|
Thank you all. I did find that post you all refered to. It seems everyone loves that post. It is a good write-up High-Desert.
I just cringe on drilling around a set-screw on the carbs!
Shouldn't these set-screws be factory set for life?
Edited by DCIntruder on Apr 7, 2012 at 11:09 AM
|
|
High Desert Intruder
Gender:
Posts: 27290
Joined: Jun 2004
From: Torrance, CA
Bike: LC1500
Goin' for a Ride!
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 04:35 PM (Msg. 16 of 38)
|
|
Quote:DCIntruder wrote:
Thank you all. I did find that post you all refered to. It seems everyone loves that post. It is a good write-up High-Desert.
I just cringe on drilling around a set-screw on the carbs!
Shouldn't these set-screws be factory set for life?
Edited by DCIntruder on Apr 7, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Your NOT drilling into a set screw...Your only drilling through a small plug cap. Once a small hole is in it you'll then screw in a self tapping metal screw and then use a pair of pliers to pull the screw/cap out. Once the cap is gone THEN the screw is exposed....Just don't drill too deep is all.
Click on Engine for Star Washer Fix
|
|
DCIntruder
Gender:
Posts: 92
Joined: Mar 2012
From: DC / Alexandria, VA
Bike: VS800
1999 Intruder VS800; Approx 20K mi
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 05:50 PM (Msg. 17 of 38)
|
|
I looked and the little screw covers are off. So someone must have drilled them off.  Which also means someone tinkered with them before.
The bike runs fine except for starting on cold days. It started fine today, temp was in the 60s. Should I mess with the screws? The carbs seem to be in sync since there are no idling issues, the rpm is steady with the throttle and goes up and down predictably with the twist of my hand. The last few times I messed with a carb screw on my previous bike I spent a lot of time trying to get it back. It was frustrating to say the least. 
|
|
navigator
Gender:
Posts: 6494
Joined: Jun 2007
From: Frostbite Falls, NY
Bike: S50
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 06:19 PM (Msg. 18 of 38)
|
|
Quote:DCIntruder wrote:
I looked and the little screw covers are off. So someone must have drilled them off. Which also means someone tinkered with them before.
The bike runs fine except for starting on cold days. It started fine today, temp was in the 60s. Should I mess with the screws? The carbs seem to be in sync since there are no idling issues, the rpm is steady with the throttle and goes up and down predictably with the twist of my hand. The last few times I messed with a carb screw on my previous bike I spent a lot of time trying to get it back. It was frustrating to say the least.
Gently turn them in until they seat. Count the number of turns on the way in...(I count half turns, it's less confusing)
Write down your original settings.
Then follow the instructions in the thread...........if it doesn't work, return them to your original settings and nothing is lost.
|
|
High Desert Intruder
Gender:
Posts: 27290
Joined: Jun 2004
From: Torrance, CA
Bike: LC1500
Goin' for a Ride!
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 06:43 PM (Msg. 19 of 38)
|
|
Quote:navigator wrote:
Gently turn them in until they seat. Count the number of turns on the way in...(I count half turns, it's less confusing)
Write down your original settings.
Then follow the instructions in the thread...........if it doesn't work, return them to your original settings and nothing is lost.
Yup doing it that way makes it pretty much fool proof. Oh and yeah I like to count half turns also when doing these carbs.
Click on Engine for Star Washer Fix
|
|
DCIntruder
Gender:
Posts: 92
Joined: Mar 2012
From: DC / Alexandria, VA
Bike: VS800
1999 Intruder VS800; Approx 20K mi
|
|
Posted: Apr 7, 2012 10:03 PM (Msg. 20 of 38)
|
|
OK. Sounds easy enough.
My question is should I be messing with the screw if the bike starts and idles well on days with 50 degs and higher? Today was 68 and the bike fired up in one second w/o choke and warmed up nicely as I let it idle for 3 mins. It's the cold days that gives me trouble starting.
How would I know if I have reached optimum A/F mixture if I am idling well to begin with. Many people that need to fix the mixture are idling badly, popping, bucking etc. I dont have these issues.
|
|
Home
Search
Register
Login
Member List
Recent Posts
Chat
