Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

Hey Guys, So as I keep making progress on my bike, i keep coming back. So thanks for all the advice already.

Here's the deal - bike runs great once it's up and going. But, when the engine is cold it won't start unless i give it a little shot of starter fluid. And it only has to be the smallest little 1/10th of a second shot into each pod filter. Once the bike is warm, it kicks over and starts right away. this is just on cold starts.

So my guestion: in what order should i start to diagnose this problem?


77 kz750 twin
pod filters
custom exhaust
re-jetted
12v 5Ah battery (kick start only)

vandenbusschebr wrote: Hey Guys, So as I keep making progress on my bike, i keep coming back. So thanks for all the advice already.

Here's the deal - bike runs great once it's up and going. But, when the engine is cold it won't start unless i give it a little shot of starter fluid. And it only has to be the smallest little 1/10th of a second shot into each pod filter. Once the bike is warm, it kicks over and starts right away. this is just on cold starts.

So my guestion: in what order should i start to diagnose this problem?


77 kz750 twin
pod filters
custom exhaust
re-jetted
12v 5Ah battery (kick start only)

I'm assuming that the bike has never started easily when cold or at least not since you've owned it. I'm also assuming that since you've rejetted it, it's not running too rich or too lean.
I'd look first to the compression then, if it's low or uneven, the valve adjustment. After the valve adjustment go back and recheck the compression.
Go easy on the starter fluid. It's really hard on the cylinder lubrication.

Please post your results in this thread.

Bill

vandenbusschebr wrote: Hey Guys, So as I keep making progress on my bike, i keep coming back. So thanks for all the advice already.

Here's the deal - bike runs great once it's up and going. But, when the engine is cold it won't start unless i give it a little shot of starter fluid. And it only has to be the smallest little 1/10th of a second shot into each pod filter. Once the bike is warm, it kicks over and starts right away. this is just on cold starts.

So my guestion: in what order should i start to diagnose this problem?


77 kz750 twin
pod filters
custom exhaust
re-jetted
12v 5Ah battery (kick start only)

The BS-38 carbs have a "choke" which is actually a big jet that dumps gas in to help start cold. Sounds like that is not working.

The pods probably mean it's running lean which makes things worse.

Thanks guys,

I know the choke works because i still use the choke when starting cold and slowly disengage it as the engine warms.

valves were in spec last fall, but an easy check so i'll look there.

I'll also check compression. was in spec 3 years ago, but that was 3 years ago...

Clogged pilot jets/choke jets.
Steve