Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Starting Question.

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gowen:
Well, I'm back finally after a long holiday.
 :cry:

Anyway, I figured it was time to restore the KX500 and get my life on. I have a question about starting it. When I first purchased it, it fired first kick, big full kick though. Now, it is more like the first 30 kicks. Full and hard. What can I do to help a cold start? Moisture in the cylinder maybe, is there anything I can to to prevent that? I've killed my alpinestars trying to start it within' the past 2 months. Anyway, I just (6 months ago) had it rebuilt from bottom-to-top. So, I don't think the rings are fried. Spark is strong. I think it might be fuel, once the bike is warm, it fires up right away, so I don't think it is ignition, as I never messed with it. It's fuel, cause I have to lay it on it's side and let some gas drain to get it to even consider firing up. That's after about 20 kicks. :-(

Thanks I appreciate it.

Rick:
How's your float level?  

Also, I have had the petcock filter get clogged, which in turn would slow fuel delivery.  Once started, the gas sloshing around would apparently move the debris away from the petcock.

Maybe someone else has some thoughts.

Rick

mikesmith:
It may sound to basic,but hows jetting?Needle and seat o.k.?Floats sticking?Is the fuel old?Is the spark blue or yellow?With the float level I found it worked best for me to run it a little higher than specs,but it wasnt a starting problem with the float, it was a blubbering on rough terrain fix.Even though you just did the top end I'd check the compression,may-be a ring stuck or broke.My cold starting drill is choke on,slowly run the kick starter down a few strokes to charge the cylinder,then a a good kick with almost no throttle and it starts right up,or I may have to give it a little more throttle if its more than one kick.But it's no more than 3 kicks.If it doesnt start on the first 5or6 trys,hold the throttle open 3/4 and try that.You need fuel,spark and compression to run,did this problem develop after your long holiday?Or has this been a ongoing thing?

John:
If you have not already changed the spark plug I would suggest changing it first. I mean it's cheap & quick. You could get a nice looking spark when the spark plug is unmounted but when it's mounted and under compression it's a different matter. If it's old - change it just to eliminate this cause.

Fuel, compression, spark + timing = 500cc fun!

Old fuel is could also be a problem...

//John

gowen:
Hey Guys, no, this is a ongoing process, I moved the bike up to VA as I could not ride due to lack of time, let my cusin ride it, now I have it back cause I want to ride.. :-) Anyway, yes, I've changed the gas and plugs. The jetting I had to redo, cause the stupid thing was bogging out when hot. I changed the needle to the stock # and it runs like brand new, except a water pump seal leaking into the crank which is fixed now. I will try out the gas tank deal, then check the jetting. I've got good fire, checked that. But, I'm now thinking compression or fuel.  I hope one or the other. Thanks for the help, is there anything I can do to help it start when cold after a long day of riding? Thanks guys[/list]

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