Hitchcocks Forum

Tinker will always start first kick from cold so long as I'm "in the zone". With a warm engine things are à bit different, two or three attempts being the norm. I've tried giving her a little throttle, which only makes things worse, generally causing a flooded engine. So yesterday, after a brisk ten mile canter I decided to try something a bit different. After leaving her for ten minutes or so I set her up ready for starting, TDC, decompressor etc. and then gave a good swing on the kick starter without putting a hand on the bike, and bingo, she fired into life. I cut the motor and tried again. Same result. Next I did what I normally do, Set her up, place right hand on twistgrip,ensuring it stays closed and swing on the pedal. No go. Tried again hands off and away she went.

I can only think that I must be opening the throttle a very tiny amount as I swing down on the starter without realising it. I must admit that the no hands approach looks proper casual.

Many years ago I had a 2CV that would only start on the starting handle. After stripping everything, some bits more than once, I discovered I was unconsciously touching the throttle pedal when starting from inside. Obviously I wasn't when using the handle. Had completely forgotten that car until your post reminded me. From what else I remember of it, I'd quite like to forget it again.

It may look 'proper casual' - the thing is it seems to work! But I can't see why! Starting from hot is a common problem on many of these engines, and other engines too. Once you have fully tested your new method (!) I'd be very interested to hear if you can throw any more light on why this method makes such a difference to starting this engine of yours.

I reckon it has to be that if I have a hand on the twist-grip I inadvertently open the throttle a tad as I operate the kick starter. She floods easily, and my limited technical knowledge leads me to think that any extra fuel introduced during the starting sequence may just tip the balance. Does this sound feasible? Plug is good, and shows a fat spark. Bike runs great.