Electric start cranks a lot before starting

[minion]

Hello,

I have an 05 WR450 which I've rejetted following some advise on this forum:

JD Jet kit,

165 main, JD Red #4, 48 Pilot, 1.50 turns, stock starter jet, #40 leak jet

The electric start is almost worthless if the bike is cold. If the bike is hot, the electric start works after about 4 cranks MOST of the time, if and only if the hot-start level is engaged. Sometimes even then I need to kick it to get it to start up.

Any ideas on what part of my jetting needs to be changed for the starter to work better at about 800 ft ASL? The bike seems to run good with the jetting I have, and it is extremely rare that I have the lean-off-idle bog that is so dreaded. The only comparison I have for the starter is watching the GNCC quad races (yeah, I know quads), and seeing Bill Balace barely hit his electric start and take off. I could never do that at a harescamble on this bike; I have to kick it to get a good start off of the line.

Thanks,

M.

[bg10459]

Cold starts with the choke, try #70 or 72 starter jet.

Hot starts, a well tuned pilot is key. Also try raising the idle a bit and always use the hot start (hence the name) and no throttle. ?

[snakesausage]

My jetting is exactly like yours with the exception of the main jet, mine is 168.

The electric start seems to need to turn over more to get her going than the kicker.

If it is cold, it takes about three kicks with the choke on... when it is hot, it only takes one kick with the hot start engaged.

With the e-button it takes about 5-10 seconds when cold with choke... hot it takes 2-3 revolutions with hot start pulled.

It has been like this since new. My friends WR250 starts cold with the first few revolutions without choke and normally on the first revolution when hot without the hot start. He basically only has to bump the starter when it is warmed up.

I am curious if this is normal for the WR450.

[Desracer]

I have the same problem with the starting on the 05. My 03 out of the box has been the best starting bike I have ever seen. Hit the button on the 03 and it runs, the 05 is grinder for sure. I have put several posts on about mileage on the 05 which is poor also. When I have a chance I am going to switch the two jets from the 03 that are different to the 05 and see what happens. One other thing is the red needle, my bike started way better with the blue. The red needle makes it lean so we can use the 48 pilot. So now if the jets from the 03 don't work, I will change the needle also. I would hate to think it would or could be that easy to fix.

[old man dan]

Make sure your idle is et right. 1900 sounds fast but if you set it too slow it gets hard to start.

[odonnks]

I'm running jetting close to that. When it coold, (real cold) or not it'll start pretty good. Much better than I expected after reading about problems others are having.

My jetting is :

160 main

35 leak

JD red #3

Never a problem hot or cold. When cold, one thing I do is stroke the trhottle once before I hit the starter. It comes to life right away and may not maintian. IF not, stroke it once more and hit it. It hasn't failed yet.

Remember the old cars... Mayve you don't but before fuel injection you always had to pump the pedal so the accelerator pump would squirt a shot of gas before you turned the key. Choke or not.

[old man dan]

I'm running jetting close to that. When it coold, (real cold) or not it'll start pretty good. Much better than I expected after reading about problems others are having.

My jetting is :

160 main

35 leak

JD red #3

Never a problem hot or cold. When cold, one thing I do is stroke the trhottle once before I hit the starter. It comes to life right away and may not maintian. IF not, stroke it once more and hit it. It hasn't failed yet.

Remember the old cars... Mayve you don't but before fuel injection you always had to pump the pedal so the accelerator pump would squirt a shot of gas before you turned the key. Choke or not.

160 main sounds awfully lean, especilly if its cold. Are you sure thats what you have. Your right about pumping the throttle once. I usually do that if it doesn't light on the first try.

[SJMC_DON]

I have found that my fuel screw made a huge difference in starting when I was running a leaner main like you guys are. I went to JD Blue #3, 170 and now the beast fires instantly. Zip Ty fuel screw at 1 3/4 out. 48 pilot everything else is 04' Canadian spec.

I am running a Q with SX powerbomd and airbox mods.

I used to have starting problems and now I understand that the bike was set up a little to lean, once I put the powerbomb on I was forced to re-jet and I got a bonus in the that the bike REALLY rips now and it fires right up. No longer do I dread the races with dead engine starts!

[WGP]

have you checked your valves?

[old man dan]

have you checked your valves?

Excellent point, on a bike with so many jetting issues it's easy to forget the other possibilties. Tight valves are a big cause of hard starting. If he's never checked his valves it's possible.

[odonnks]

Old Man, Your right, after I read your response about 160 being pretty lean I thought 'hes right, who's he quoting' I looked up and saw it was me ! ?

I miss typed. My main jet is a 168, not a 160.

Sorry !

[Tucker99]

Gents,

Can't believe I haven't heard anybody say this yet. A cold bike should be leaned over until fuel comes out the over flow. The fuel is then at the correct level in the bowl and can get sucked through the jets. Then choke her, (the bike) and hit the button. She (the bike) should light right up.

[Summit]

"Gents,

Can't believe I haven't heard anybody say this yet. A cold bike should be leaned over until fuel comes out the over flow. The fuel is then at the correct level in the bowl and can get sucked through the jets. Then choke her, (the bike) and hit the button. She (the bike) should light right up.

Not sure I understand. Could you explain with more detail please?

[dl19]

I have a 168 main, JD Blue #4, Zip Ty at 2 turns, everything else stock. I leave my bike with the fuel on. I give it two quick "wicks" on the throttle, and it fires the first kick or the second revolution when cold. Hot no throttle period and the same situation except depending on piston position it might take two kicks but same for E start. If I dont give it the two twists when cold it is a hard starter. Try the quick double shot. Maybe I am lucky with mine, but it starts easier then my XR400 anytime. ?

[Numskull]

Gents,

Can't believe I haven't heard anybody say this yet. A cold bike should be leaned over until fuel comes out the over flow. The fuel is then at the correct level in the bowl and can get sucked through the jets. Then choke her, (the bike) and hit the button. She (the bike) should light right up.

I dont know if I could put up with the people walking by pointing at me, asking " do you need help, why is your bike laying on its side? dont it have a kick stand? You need help picking it up? ?

Im just poking at you, I have heard of the trick before, but am skeptical. Its a gravity feed carburetor. If your float is set right, it will fill the float bowl to the proper level when you turn the pet cock on, with out having to flip the bike upside down ?