Bad cold starting 100GS

[garry a]

My 89 100gs normally starts ok it's just had a new starter motor and it's got a good battery. But on a cold morning and at the dragon rally this year if I does not fire first turn it seems to flood. If you bump start it it goes easy.it is like the starter draws to much juice giving a weak spark. Would a coil upgrade help different plugs bigger battery maybe ? Any ideas before I start spending cash.

 

[B Murr]

How do you know it's a good battery, it might show 12 volts but be unable to give out much power.

 

[Kenny]

Check to see if plugs actually have a good spark....but sounds a bit like the cold weather is getting to the battery !

 

[garry a]

The battery I'm using is off my 1200 and starts that easy and I've used it on my 1150 and starts that easy as well so I'm thinking battery is ok

 

[Uncle-Fester]

When were the plugs and leads changed last?
Could it be damp getting into the leads/coils/plugs and causing bad spark?

 

[Beemerboff]

Just chased a similar problem on my well worn G/S . Only found it when it totally failed.
Somehow the earth wire from the starter relay was failing when the system was under load - it checked out fine with a multimeter.
However it eventually failed completely, and was a bit easier to find.
Now just have to pluck up the courage to order a new harness- I have probably had half a dozen things like this in the last year and have probably sent more replacing components which were OK then the harness would have, first up.

 

[ChasF]

After checking plugs and plug caps/leads, the next thing I'd do is link the battery -ve directly to the starter motor body using a thick cable or good quality jump lead, to see if that makes any difference.

 

[garry a]

Ok thanks for replys I does seen to be starting ok at the mo. But soon as I get a chance I'm going to give it a good check over valves timing etc and I think I will make up some new heavier starter/ battery leads . Maybe go crazy and splash out on new plugs I usually just use standard NGK plugs. Any recommendations on plugs ?