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'05 WR 450 Maintenance Q's for Cold Stalling

By BeeDub,
in WR400F/426F/450F

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BeeDub

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Hey guys! First off, I'm in SoCal, and I'm in the middle of trying to sell my 450 and I cleaned the bike up, cleaned and lubed air filter, oil change was a couple rides ago, and I don't get to ride the bike often. A guy came over to check the bike out the other day without giving me any time to warm the bike up and sure enough, it takes about ten starts and plenty of time before the bike is warm and sounding healthier. The guy hasn't called back even though I know the bike runs great once it's warm.

Is this a normal issue, where it takes a few start/stalls and several minutes before the bike will take any throttle? It's always seemed a bit hesitant on first start up, and I bought it fairly new. If not, what can I do to fix it? I want whoever buys the bike to like it, call it carma or whatever, I'd feel better about it.

I've read this problem could be attributed to valves needing adjustment, or a starter jet needing replacement(but that seemed to be for colder environments). I even read a thread that says I could have over lubed the air filter, but I doubt that's it, as I said, it's always been a little tough to get warmed up.

Anyway, any tips, links, full-on instructions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not looking to do any major overhaul, nor do I think the bike needs it (pretty low miles on her and no abuse). I want to do as much as I can on my own (or if any of you close by likes beer pay), as I have to save money...

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WGP

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I would go ahead a do a fresh oil change as well....but that has nothing to do with start up.....

I would try turning the idle up a little, if that doesn't work I would guess the valves are a little tight or your jetting is off or your carb is a little dirty inside.

First try the idle screw, if that doesn't help then I would pull the carb, pull all the jets and clean(replace with correct jets as well 40 leak, 48 pilot, 168 main) and blow everything out. While the carb is out might as well check the valves. If they need adjustment its pretty easy but takes time.

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BeeDub

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has it ever been ran off road?

i run 75% on road 25% off road and i cant get my bike to look like that

anyway i would check the plug first. drain tank and bowl fresh gas 93 or better its the cheapest route and easyest to do

Haha! Never ON ROAD man, it's not DS'ed, reason I'm selling...anyway, my buddy's got some good cleaning techniques he reminds me of after we ride, and surprisingly, it doesn't take toooo long. ?

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BeeDub

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Thanks for both of your comments so far, I will definitely check all this out!

I guess old gas could contribute too, it hasn't been ridden since it was cooler out, been a hot summer. Anyway, it smells fine, but a good option to look at. Already have a new plug ready to put in too, so that stuff is easy!

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JSanfilippo

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Its the cold weather.

After I uncorked/jetted my bike, it would start without the choke as long as I had the idle up 3 turns in hot weather(85-100 F). It didn't need choke because it was a hair rich on the pilot jet (48)

Now in the cold weather (65 F), it'll start with the choke but it takes a good 5min before the rads are nice and warm.

One thing is for sure, the WR is alot more sensitive to temp changes than my old TT-R.

Just when I thought the throttle response couldn't get any crisper, this thing starts bringing the front end up in 3rd in mud puddles ?

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Mutu

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I guess old gas could contribute too

Definately! I drain the carb of the old fuel if I haven't been riding for a while and it's always a horrid color, not like regular fuel. I usually drain the fuel in the tank and put it in my car. Fresh fuel is a must!

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BeeDub

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Looks like I get to sit around and work on my bike this weekend, even if I don't get to ride it again...

Thanks guys, any more specific tips or links for easy tricks on doing this stuff is appreciated (valves), I think I can handle changing out the gas and spark plug, and even the jets if it comes to that, haha!

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BeeDub

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o and another thing about gas

around here there is a summer blend and a winter blend

summer gas in the winter is like kicking a dead mule to get it to start

Umm, we don't have that around here, at least not that anyone talks about. I also don't think the weather was the reason I had trouble the other day, it was a warm, if not hot, SoCal day.

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BeeDub

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Your price might have scared him off! How much you selling it for?

$4200, free mods done, low hours (estimated), Acerbis tank (almost new), very clean. From what I see, a good price.

Edit. By the way, the bike really does run great, and I'm not altogether sure that's the reason he hasn't called back. The guy did say he had a couple other bikes to look at. Not that he needed it, but he was considering one with a plate, $1500 more than mine. I was just caught off guard by the fact that I had to try to warm it up in front of him, and I just want to see if there's something to do to make that process less embarassing! Usually, I'm doing that out in the desert, with a couple buddies doing the same thing, all excited to ride. I will check on the things I see here so far for sure.

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BeeDub

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He wasn't the first guy interested, but he was the first guy to come around. This guy wasn't a dreamer, had a shiny new F250, and his little guy with him. He'd bought the kid a bike (and a quad), and was tired of chasing him around on foot. This wouldn't be his first bike, but he hadn't ridden in a couple years.

Lost one guy because I couldn't meet him the day he wanted a bike, and he ended up paying about the same for an older bike???

Another guy wanted to trade me his 525EXC for it because he didn't want the plate, and liked the WR, but got cold feet before we met up.

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Motoequip

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The bike is priced right in the So. Cal market and your bike looks extremley clean. I bought a 05 WR450F here locally 2 months ago for 3500.00 but it looked terrible. The bike was 100% stock and needed alot of work. I had to buy the following, all new plastic (scratched), graphics kit (removed), exhaust (dented), radiator (damaged) new front wheel assembly (bent), and new tires. I also bought the following; brake and clutch lever, grips, frame guards, skid plate new speedo, jet kit, intake, ais kit, radiator guards, all covers (generator, oil, etc.) I have not ridden this bike yet and is still in pieces and I have an additional 2500.00 in parts I bought for this bike after I paid 3500.00 for it. Your bike is clean looking, and well worth 4000.00. Wich I did more homework before I bought this bike...?

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BeeDub

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The bike is priced right in the So. Cal market and your bike looks extremley clean. I bought a 05 WR450F here locally 2 months ago for 3500.00 but it looked terrible. The bike was 100% stock and needed alot of work. I had to buy the following, all new plastic (scratched), graphics kit (removed), exhaust (dented), radiator (damaged) new front wheel assembly (bent), and new tires. I also bought the following; brake and clutch lever, grips, frame guards, skid plate new speedo, jet kit, intake, ais kit, radiator guards, all covers (generator, oil, etc.) I have not ridden this bike yet and is still in pieces and I have an additional 2500.00 in parts I bought for this bike after I paid 3500.00 for it. Your bike is clean looking, and well worth 4000.00. Wich I did more homework before I bought this bike...?

Wow, that makes me sad man, that's some tough luck. Yeah, my bike is clean other than a few minor scratches, and really has low hours when I think about it (that rear tire is original for chris' sake!), all the stuff you'd want to do to it up front is done, less getting seriously customized, which I think is bad for second hand buyers, and I think it's priced just right at $4200. I did a lot of research before pricing it there, and I'm not into haggling, so I priced it where it should sell. Just not many buyers out there I guess. Then again, I really only got serious about selling it a couple weeks ago.

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BeeDub

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Don't I feel like an idiot! I had someone else come and look at the bike yesterday, so before he came over, I thought I'd go out and play around with the bike, just to make sure I wouldn't have any stalling issues. So, I start it up with some choke, two or three kicks. Let it run for 20 seconds or so, then kill the choke. Then, I turn the idle screw up, just a hair, not one issue!

Told you I feel like an idiot!:confused:

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