What to do if your motorcycle is hard to start?

What to do if your motorcycle is hard to start?

Finally, your XL has a manual compression release, so it’s also worth checking that the cable has the proper amount of slack and that the mechanism is working properly. Our resident old guy doesn’t remember the XL-R being especially hard to start, but he wasn’t 74 at the time either.

Why does my motorcycle not start with a cracked spark plug?

When a cracked spark plug is installed, the spark will find the least path of resistance through the crack and ground out to your engine block instead of going all the way down to the end of the spark plug and jumping across the gap like it’s supposed to.

Why does my motorcycle not start when I let it sit?

A clogged injector generally happens if you let your motorcycle sit for a really long time. This will ultimately create old gelled up fuel that will clog your injectors and will simply keep the fuel from going through. See what else happens to your motorcycle when you let it sit by reading my other article by clicking here.

Can a bad right leg start a motorcycle?

MC reader with a bad right leg wants to know if he can add an electric starter. Question: I’m unable to kickstart my 1982 Honda XL500R. Others can but with difficulty. It doesn’t help that I’m 74 years old with a weak right leg due to spine degeneration. My mechanic has gone through the carb and so on, but it’s still hard to start.

Why is my bike so hard to start?

The draw back, of course, is that the rider must remember to switch the lights on. It is also possible to wire the ignition and starter circuits separately and use the handlebar “Stop-Run” switch to deactivate the ignition. With the ignition switch on and the handlebar switch in the “Stop” position, all battery current will go to the starter.

When a cracked spark plug is installed, the spark will find the least path of resistance through the crack and ground out to your engine block instead of going all the way down to the end of the spark plug and jumping across the gap like it’s supposed to.

What does it mean when your motorcycle won’t start?

Not every rider uses their kill switch with regularity, but if you have used it recently, it’s possible the engine cutoff switch is still activated. Either that or someone else flicked it, or you did it by accident—either way, it’s worth a quick glimpse, as the switch remaining in the on position will prevent the motorcycle from starting.

Why is my street engine so hard to start?

Street engines have not only gotten bigger, they’ve also gained compression. Hard starting is an annoying problem that can be resolved either inside or outside the engine. The explanation and tips from S&S Cycle. The first step in making these beasts more manageable is to check cranking compression with a good screw-in gauge.