1998 Honda cbr600 starting problem

[m.lovell]

Just got my self an early christmas present, a 4000 mile 1998 cbr600 f3 and its a devil to start when cold. Its been stood for a couple of years but is imaculate, if only it would sart when cold. I managed yesterday to get it started by spraying some engine start into the top of the carbs and when warm runs fantastic. This morning it did start eventualy but only runs on 3 until its a litle bit warm. I have drained the petrol and replaced with fresh, its got new plugs and air filter. Any body any ideas before I take it into the stealership for a service and a check over ? any known problems ? Its been 20 years since I`ve owned a bike and I cant belive how much they have come on since my last bike ( a Ducati 900) 170 kg and 100 bhp from a 600... unbelivable.

thanks
marc

[F.M]

Obvious as can be I know...but do play with the choke...(if it has one...) on different positions...it should be a small trigger on the left hand bar, just inside the twist grip on late jap bikes...

Edited by F.M on Saturday 23 December 08:52

[dern]

Does it turn over eagerly enough? Chances are if it's stood for 3 years the battery will be shagged unless it's been on a trickle charger.

[m.lovell]

Hi Mate

The battery was not at its best, so was jump (from a car battery) starting it. Got it going this morning, had to spray starting gas into the ail in let before it would even fire. When i got it running today after a couple of mins it runs fantastic. Tried starting it half an hour ago when it was cold and it was a right job again, did eventualy start (battery not flat, spinning engine over fast) but its not right. I have put a bit of redex fuel system cleaner in the new petrol this I think has helped a bit (it started this morning , eventualy). My best quess is the carbs need cleaning out. Going to book it in for a service in the new year.
thanks
marc

[m.lovell]

sorted, helps if I switch the petrol off when I park it up..... I think leaving the petrol switched on was flooding the engine ? Been along time since I owned a bike and forgot all about the petrol switch and since I started switching it off its started first time every time.
bring on the summer.....

[momentofmadness]

m.lovell said:

sorted, helps if I switch the petrol off when I park it up..... I think leaving the petrol switched on was flooding the engine ? Been along time since I owned a bike and forgot all about the petrol switch and since I started switching it off its started first time every time.
bring on the summer.....

Hmmm not sure the fuel tap should make a difference.

Did get two excellent backfires trying to start my CBR6 up today though

Glad it's sorted, now if only these roads would dry out a bit...

[Benni]

Hmmmmm, most bikes of today have a vacuum assisted fuel tap.
This is meant to be easier for the rider,
because you do not have to switch it OFF every time you park the bike.
The fuel only can flow to the carbs if there is a vacuum created by the engine intake,
there should be a rubber hose from one of the intakes connected to your fuel tap.
Maybe this hose (or the fitting) is a bit loose, or, your bike being 8 yrs old,
has aged a bit and become porous, or kinked/crushed and blocked ?
Then the little vacuum created by the starter motor would not be enough
to operate the fuel tap.
The tap also should have a PRI position, this is the one where the fuel is
flowing directly to your engine without vacuum,
and only in this position there could be a danger of "flooding your engine" when parking,
but only if the float bowl valves were a bit worn.
Inside the tap there are two rubber parts, a membrane that is actuated by the vacuum
and opens the fuel flow in the OPEN posttion,
and a seal with holes in it right behind the two screws that hold the lever in place.
Maybe these got a bit old/hard with the time.
Sadly, these inside parts of the tap are no longer sold separately,
just the fuel tap assembly.
You seem to have your starting problem sorted, but I am not sure if this really was it,
maybe my info helps if the motor is hard to start in the future.
Enjoy your ride,
Benni

[crankedup]

Put a dose of redex into the tank to help clear up any old petrol varnish. Works a treat and gives clouds of smoke out the exhaust.