Hitchcocks Forum

If my 2006electra is left for a week or so,it won't fire up unless I prime it .petrol on,choke thingy on,about 20 kicks with the decompressor used.then it starts.
Where should I start looking to fix this.
Cheers
Jenks

First off, check your battery is holding charge under load. Many duff batteries read OK until you put a load on them.
Never had an Electra but I believe they are very fussy about having full voltage.

My electra x , has been standing for the last four months. It started 3rd kick using a battery that wouldnt turn the starter. Now for starting it, sometimes it is left for weeks on end and this is how I start mine........ Firstly I turn the fuel on . I then pull the clutch in and kick it over till the clutch frees off. Then I turn the chocke on then the ignition. Turn the engine over till it comes up to the compression stroke and give it a good smooth swing on the kick starter. One thing I never do is touch the throttle till I hear ir start to fire, then and only then do I use any throttle. If it doesn't start after the third kick, I normally whip the plug out and if need be give it a quick clean. This has only happened a couple of times and once was when an iridium plug failed........starting also improved dramatically when I changed the original shrouded plug cap for an ngk one
Hope this helps

Mine is a bit reluctant to start if it has been left for a couple of weeks or so. I used to think it was the battery having lost some of it's power but it doesn't make any difference if it has just come off charge. Beginning to think now it could be the fuel in the float bowl evaporating or degrading over time. It is on the original CV carb and I only ever use the electric start. I've only got a limited life left in my knees. Like Davie says no throttle and it rarely needs full choke to get going but it normally has to have full choke to keep going when stone cold.

Thanks for the info,will try suggested methods once my knee recovers
Jenks