Hitchcocks Forum

Hi folks, a wee enquiry which the clever ones will be able to answer in seconds My EFI is awaiting its annual service (just need an hour to do it, but tricky with toddler, commuting and a very pregnant wife!). Anyway, the last couple of days my bike has been a bit trickier to kick start, needing a really good welly... and even then quite a few of the kicks just produce a swirling noise (I don't run with a sprag or electric start so nothing to do with those). It is simply the silent swirl that an engine which is turning over makes... i.e. no real chug chug attempt to start up.




So... plug? Or something more? Or something completely different? Ta!!

Could be just about anything to do with fuel or ignition.
Having said that, if there's absolutely no attempt to fire, I would start with the ignition side. See if you have a good strong spark first.

Will do... ta! It does go eventually but needs a really good, well timed welly.

Wonder if there's a problem with that auto decompressor, could be sticking until your rpm is fast enough. won't fire without the compression..

Change the plug anyway as seems to cure all sorts of general malaise on singles.

Fuel hose was leaking quite a bit... it isn't pressurised until the bike ignition is on, and I am on the other side of the bike trying to kick it at that point... so not always obvious to spot. Possibly had something to do with it. Was fine today... still gaven't had time to check the plug! Was rebuilding the brakes on my campervan this weekend... along with the temperature gauge circuit.