Starting. Or possibly not.

[Martin.]

Over the last couple of weeks, my 1990 GS has been a bit reluctant to start. She usually needs a fair bit of turning over and will the run on one cylinder for a few seconds before settling down.
O.k then for the rest of the day!
Sadly, she has to live out in the open all year round so is at the mercy of the elements, but I`ve not had a problem before. Any particular things I should look for? Ta!

 

[Belper phil]

Not starting

More knowledgable people on here than me - but;

Coil connection for HT leads - look to make sure they're clean and good connection.

Spark plugs need renewing or poor connection from HT lead

All clamps around carb hose rubbers tight and secure

Starter motor spinning over but not giving enough umph to start it

Loads more help, alot better than mine, should hopefully follow and you get it sorted.

Phil

 

[Martin.]

Thanks Phil, I`ve ordered some new plugs. Battery and starter seem o.k, but I`ll work my way through your other suggestions. Thanks again, Martin.

 

[newbuild100]

Choke on both sides working ok ??????

Just a thought

 

[electric_monk]

Chokes not sticking....
Carbs balanced.....
Valve clearances correct...
Timing correct

 

[Martin.]

All the above seem o.k, but I did pull the plugs last night and they looked a bit eroded. They`re those iridium ones, and, having thought about it, they have probably done 20,000 miles.
I rather feel I`ve asked a bit much of them.....?

Happy New Year by the way !

 

[Belper phil]

Sorted

Hope that sorts it Martin - one other thing to mention (as part of the carb system) Choke gaskets - was going to ps this.

Let us know if its fixed it

 

[Martin.]

Just fitted new plugs. Low and behold, started and even ticked over on half choke. Feel a bit daft having left it so long before changing the plugs though.
Never the less, I`ve checked the other suggested points as sometimes these problems can be "the sum of the parts".
Thanks again for your help Gents.

 

[abrasion]

Did you replace them with Iridium plugs again?

I found that the Iridium ones seem to work well on jap multis but no where near as good on an airhead.

Just what i found

 

[Martin.]

Yeah, just put a new pair in.The old ones were Iridium too, and they have been o.k. I think they`d been in for a good 20,000 so perhaps they were past their best? Dunno what the life expectancy is.
She started o.k this morning for a change, but it`s not been so cold and wet.
I`ll see how we go over the next few days.

 

[newbuild100]

Not wishing to put a dampner on it Martin but could you ensure putting new plugs in hasnt "hidden" maybe something else (ie, dodgy coil for instance)

Hope the plugs were the problem though.

good luck

 

[Beemerboff]

I,ll second that , my experience with dud coils has been the same, new plugs this week, new coil next month.

But it is worth a check to see if you are getting (almost) full battery volts at the coil, as any loss of volts will be worse when the starter is operating.

 

[Martin.]

Right.... I`ll get that checked as soon as possible. As I remember, there was a problem with the original coil that showed up after I`d had the bike a little while.
I`ll keep you posted and thanks again.