Starting problem on '99 L9
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:55 am
Hi all,
I bought my wife a lovely 1999 L9 last year when she passed her test. It's a UK bike with genuine 2.5k on the clocks from new. I have the MOT's and documentation to prove it and it still had the original rubber and Tokico pads fitted! It is completely stock.
It's always been a pain to start and the wife is nervous of taking it out now as she wouldn't be able to bump it if needed so I need to get the starting issue sorted.
What happens is it will take 30 seconds or more of constant engine cycling to actually fire up. Then it's really rough and wont rev. If you try to blip the throttle it will stall. If you add choke it doesn't seem to make much difference unless the engine start to run better after 30 seconds or so, then you can add choke and let it idle.
I replaced the spark plugs
The carbs have been balanced by a respected tuner
It has a new battery
Oil and filter changed due to its age
The battery is good I believe as even when you keep it on the button for over 30 seconds the engine cycling doesn't change.
If the bike has been on a run it will fire up after a few seconds, if it's been left for a few hours it goes back to taking ages.
Maybe we're doing something wrong? does the fuel tap need to be on prime to start? it seems like the float bowls are empty hence the pump has to fill them before firing up.
Any help is appreciated
I bought my wife a lovely 1999 L9 last year when she passed her test. It's a UK bike with genuine 2.5k on the clocks from new. I have the MOT's and documentation to prove it and it still had the original rubber and Tokico pads fitted! It is completely stock.
It's always been a pain to start and the wife is nervous of taking it out now as she wouldn't be able to bump it if needed so I need to get the starting issue sorted.
What happens is it will take 30 seconds or more of constant engine cycling to actually fire up. Then it's really rough and wont rev. If you try to blip the throttle it will stall. If you add choke it doesn't seem to make much difference unless the engine start to run better after 30 seconds or so, then you can add choke and let it idle.
I replaced the spark plugs
The carbs have been balanced by a respected tuner
It has a new battery
Oil and filter changed due to its age
The battery is good I believe as even when you keep it on the button for over 30 seconds the engine cycling doesn't change.
If the bike has been on a run it will fire up after a few seconds, if it's been left for a few hours it goes back to taking ages.
Maybe we're doing something wrong? does the fuel tap need to be on prime to start? it seems like the float bowls are empty hence the pump has to fill them before firing up.
Any help is appreciated