Hitchcocks Forum

Hello again. So what's all this I hear of everyones kickstart Bullets starting at 1st or 2nd kick when cold? Mine takes sometimes 10 kicks to start when cold. However, once started it goes to perfect tickover and if somewhat warm, will start on 1st kick. She's fitted with Mik carb and Boyer box. Weather's been in the mid 80F here. I've removed and cleaned carb and jets, set air mixture, etc. I've tried all variations of starting...10 kick prime; enricher on with and without 10-kick prime; throttle and no throttle; etc. Is it just a matter of finding the "right starting drill"? I'm thinking starvation of fuel at cold start and no tickler on the Mik? Can this be valve adjustment? What confuses me is, once started she rolls to perfect tickover and runs great at all throttle settings. Any suggestions for "new drills" or possible other repairs/settings would be appreciated. Tired of getting ripped on by my electric start buddies!

Make sure the pilot jet is 100% clean

My Lightning starts 2nd or 3rd kick from cold. 1st kick when hot. For what it's worth, here's the drill (From cold). Clutch lever in, kick 3 or 4 times. Petrol on, decompressor on, kick 3 times. Bring up to compression, use the decompressor to ease the piston over TDC. Choke on, ignition on and BOOT the thing! I should point out that my Lightning has been strobe timed. The cam plate is a little worn, thus the bike had been strobed for full advance. The static timing is a little closer to TDC than stated in the manual. I've no idea if it makes any difference.

My only easy thought (and Worth a Try is) All My Enfileds have started 1st or 2nd Kick (say) 90% of the Time unless Flooded etc and they start best when Cold with Fuel ON, Choke on (Tickle If Amal)Ignition on, Feel For Pressure With Kick Starter, Then Kick....No fancy Priming,Needle Swing or On Off, I Just Kick and Go....Micarb Usually: Choke off With in 100 Yrds, Amal usually: Play around with it all Day ;0) ... If Mine Dont start After 4 Kicks THey are Either Flooded or Take 2o Kicks...But Really No De Compressor Mine Just START (Touch Wood)..Oh 350's Are a Lot Better Starters Than 500's But I Have had and Run Both,,,Try It Just Switch on anKICK (Long and Firm) :0)....."Have Fun"

Hi Tsflyer - My bullet was always a bad starter like yours until I tried a different method recommended by a guy on here called Les-H. This is what you do... Prime the engine normally with a few kicks without the ignition on. Then turn on the ignition. move the engine to top dead centre by watching the ammeter 'cock' backwards. Press the de-compressor and move the piston over TDC until the ammeter moves back to centre position. Now press on the kick starter to move the piston a little further along its stroke. Then release the kick starter pedal and give the engine a firm but gentle swing on the kcik starter and it should fire up ok. It takes a bit of practice but once you've mastered it you shouldn't have any more problems (hopefully!).

Hello , just a note on bad or non-starting. I've just spent two and a half hours trying to get my friend's 2003 Bullet going.......before I arrived i'd asked him to have a new (ngk)spark plug ready for the job, new plug fitted, a few kicks, nothing.....The battery was showing 12v on the test meter.O.K. then, a new coil, points, condenser, HT lead and plug cap had been fitted before I got my oily mitts on it !! Checked points gap, ignition timing, correct coil connections, earthing points on frame behind battery box (as there was a really weak spark),tried yet another new spark plug(ngk), still no life !!! This really had to be something daft !! Checked connections on all the harness block connectors..these were also O.K...........desperate measures, and a shot in the dark had me digging out a grotty old plug....cleaned it up, and hey presto we had a live Bullet again !!! Draw your own conclusions from this , but i'm going to give Champion plugs a go from now on and see how things go........best of luck and I hope this helps.

You have to get the incantation right or it will refuse to start. This will change whenever you adjust the timing or fuelling; when you change the rear tyre; if the weather changes; and sometimes for no reason at all.

I have sometimes found that just a touch of throttle (just take up the free play of the twist grip) makes the difference.

Ed, mine likes a whiff of throttle too - not a tweak, that doesn't usually help - just the tiniest bit held steady.
Tsflyer, I would have thought 10 priming kicks was far too much - mine like 2.
Tinny, there are an awful lot of counterfeit plugs about.

Hiya pete, i,m afraid the dodgy plugs were bought from a reputable source (wink wink, say no more ! )

Thanks for all suggestions!

@Norm, I was thinking pilot jet too, but I know that really cleaned the carb well with all jet removed. Possible the smallest deposit still in there? Perhaps a new jet wouldnt hurt.

@ PeteF and Ed.lazda, I'll try just a "whiff" of throttle. I usually never give it any throttle due to kickback or carb wanting to blow off engine! The 10-kick prime was just try in attempting new drills. I agree, I'm used to using only 2 or so.

As for the "choke" (enricher) if I use it for the first kick (no throttle)it will sputter a second, then next try will result in nothing. So, I've choked it for the first sputter then choke off, no throttle, and still nothing.

Also, amp meter wont tell me anything with the Boyer Box. I just find TDC by feel and ease past before kicking.

I know each of these have their own temprements...maybe I just have to find mine!