Has anyone had this issue? If the bike sits for more than just a few hours, the only way it will start is by bump starting it or jumping it with my car battery. once started, I am able to ride all day and I have no problem starting it right back up after taking breaks, turning it off, etc.
I replaced the battery thinking that was the issue, but it did not change things. My next thought was cleaning the carb but then figured if that was the issue, would it bump start so easily? I will end up doing that anyway but figured someone who has been through this may have an easy fix that I am not thinking of. Any feedback would be appreciated..Looking to get my two wheels in the dirt! Thanks

 

Hello and welcome DirtyHustle!

This is my old bike!

It is weird that it starts while being jump started, but not on it's own power.

 

I had this with the KLX650, turned out I simply needed to replace the spark plug. Apparently the electrode had rounded, maybe a crack in the porcelain, I don't know. Swapped it out and perfect starting again.

 

check your valves too...when the valves start to go out of spec, starting become harder...

 

Wait a sec, Cousin Larry you didn't tell him about the other 102cc's or is it a 250 again?

It could be a bad connection that when warm is good, but when cold it contracts enough to be an itermittent pain. A spark plug wire can do that if barely making contact. Maybe buy some new plug wire while getting the plug. Make sure it gets screwed in tight.

 

Yes, I know it is a 351. I changed the plug already but not the wire. I will take a look at that tomorrow. I was thinking of checking the valves possibly but the fact that it starts so easy when jump started really confuses me. Thanks for the ideas so far!

 

When you jump start it, are you connecting to the battery terminals? If not, check the connections from the battery to where ever you're connecting to.

Ride on
Brewster

 

He knows it's a fire-breathing 351! hahaaa

I know we put the valves back in spec the beginning of last season... I'm thinking those are still OK... We have to have a bike night real soon and do some work and figure this out.

 

What if it was choked? Start then? On my klx250, I have to hold hand over the tail pipe for a few seconds will cranking, and when I remove it, fires every time. Sounds crazy, but some one over at avidrider taught me that.

 

Wow, that's nuts. I suppose it holds merit, any way to get her started.