Hey guys just a quick post here, I got my bike running last night that I just converted to have a starter.  It starts when I kick it, but when I use the starter it does not want to start. I got it to start with the starter a few times but most of the time it did not.  I have a mikuni carb, just wondering if I should try turning the idle screw in some when trying to start it, Maybe pump the the throttle giving it a few squirts of fuel? Suggestions please.

Did you replace the CDI or still have the stock XR CDI?

It is my understanding that the EX starter does not turn the engine as fast as the kick starter.

And that the stock XR400 CDI has an electronic block on spark until the rpm hits 900.

An 400EX or a 650L CDI allows spark to the plug at a lower rpm.

Tom

I have an xr400 with minkuni carb and e start conversion.  You need to get thr 400ex cdi to make it work. As stated above the motor doesn't spin the engine fast enough.

It's a fun conversion. You should enjoy it.. i dont notice the extra weight and it never gets old telling my xr friends.. check that out! First kick!

thosforce, on 12 July 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

Ok I have never ran across that info before.  So yes I am running the stock cdi.  I played with it again last night and got it to start a couple of times with the starter by short pulses with the starter. I guess I will have to look for a cdi off a ex then. Thanks Guys.

Where in Oregon are you?

I have several CDI units from the 400EX.

PM sent..!

thosforce, on 13 July 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

I got your PM and left a message. I work in Portland.

Well I got looking at the wiring from the ex and comparing it to the xr and the only difference I see is that the brown wire from the exciter coil on the xr it goes to the xr cdi. On the ex it is grounded internal in the stator. So I am wondering if I gound that wire out you think it would start with the starter?  This may give the exciter coil more voltage.  Or you think it would just fry my stator or cdi?

I do not see or am unable to access your PM?

So I contacted Ricky Stator today and talked with a guy, forgot his name but he was very helpful! Always love great customer service.  He said the same thing that it needs more voltage to start to the cdi but he could wind a special stator for me to give the exciter coil more voltage at lower rpm.  So I ordered one and will let you guys know how it works.

Please do report on the effect of a hotter stator ignition circuit as regards XR400 starting with the electric starter.  I have not found my notes on this, but memory is that the XR CDI has a electronic switch that does not allow spark to the ignition coil until 900 rpm?

It sounds like the service rep at Ricky Stator discounts that theory?

Well I can get it to start every once in awhile with the starter by stabbing it in short bursts.  The starter will crank it at 240rpm consistently so I do not believe that it reaches 900rpm when it starts using short bursts. Might take a week or so to get the stator so I will keep you informed.

Ok guys I got the new rewound stator from Ricky Stator and got it put on yesterday, still does not want to start when cold with the starter. It starts 1st or 2nd kick when cold.   Once I got it warmed up it would start if I cracked the throttle to like 1/4 and held the ebutton down then let off the throttle would start that way almost every time.  So you guys have any suggestions, Jetting is pilot 17.5 main 130 bike runs great all the time have just rode 600miles in the last couple weeks. So am I stuck with getting the 400ex cdi?  For those of you that have done the starter conversion and running the 400ex cdi does it start right up by cranking it alittle or is there a trick to get it to start.  Little disappointed at the moment.

Once again you need the 400 ex parts.

In the installation manual for a "kit" electric start it is stated to use a cdi box for any year XR650R.
As I recall, this will plug into the XR400R wiring harness without any changes.
And as the 650R is electric start, its cdi allows spark to the coil at a lower rpm.

Yesterday, we rode an XR400 with electric start in the woods.
It has the EX crank, a 416cc displacement, a Stage One cam and a Mikuni pumper carb.
The cam has no auto decompression feature and the previous owner who did all the work on this bike, removed the manual decompression cables.
As i recall, the bike has a 400EX cdi installed.

The bike starts after sitting for months, from dead cold and choke on, in a few tries.
Once warm, it starts in a few engine revolutions all the time.
And with the Mikuni, it still starts as easily after it has been upside down!  

Tom

thosforce, on 07 August 2012 - 08:59 AM, said:

So then my question is, Is there any one out there running a XR650 CDI?  I have read some that the XR650 guys are running the xr400 cdi because it is a performace mod for there bike.