Hard starting XL350R

[fatbelly]

Does anyone know why my old 1984 Honda is so damn hard to start when it is cold. I had a tune up and valves adjusted and nothing changed. I am talking like 40-50 kicks. Some where in the middle of all this kicking I usually get a few huge backfires too. When it is warm just a few kicks and away she goes. HELP!

[killerdwarf77]

Im having a similar problem with my xr500 also!

[KDN]

Hmmm... I have the same problem on an 84 XL250R, too. The only way it'll start is by towing it around the yard to bump start it. When it's warmed up, it'll start right up and run fine.

??

[tirogers]

bump....

same problem here on my xr200r 1988

anyone???

[patrick koval]

Could be low on compression. I had a TT600 that did the same thing and it was a burnt valve. If your bikes have the auto decompression make sure its set correctly.

[KDN]

Well, I fixed mine over the weekend. Pulled the carbs off, completely dismantled, cleaned jets & passages, soaked, reassembled. I never really found a smoking gun, but it starts like a champ, now. Hmmm....

Kirk

[Beyond The Pale]

I only have experience with a 78 XL250S, an 81 XR500R, and my current 93 XR600. They were all too lean on the pilot jet. Going up a size or two (maybe 3) can really help cold starting. Crud in the carb can cause this too.

[zuludude]

clean carbs fuel ...if you got spark then its fuel if you got both and you gota tow it around its probably the timing[too advanced] if,the timings right you have good spark clean carb and good fuel ,check the air fuel mixture;ie. choke the carb,also the valves gotta be right,too close or too far will mess with performance.if all that stuff is right on then compression ,low compression will not start or will be hell to start.thats about all i know,good luck

[thahav]

Try rebuilding the carbs. Mine did the same thing until I completely dismanteled and soak them. The 84's don't have a butterfly for the choke, they inject fuel through a small needle valve. Mine starts first kick every time now. Good Luck!

[350R]

Hi, I found that the choke cable must be set to 5-7mm off lift. If you adjust to allow it to fully lift it is way to rich. Once I properly adjusted mine it start 1st time from cold.

[jer none]

It's normal use a syringe and shoot some fuel in at the air inlet tube right before the carb it will help. mine did that new from the factory its the emission pop valve that makes it hard to start bs emissions nonsense 

Edited July 22, 2022 by jer none

[jer none]

On 5/28/2008 at 12:30 PM, thahav said:

Try rebuilding the carbs. Mine did the same thing until I completely dismanteled and soak them. The 84's don't have a butterfly for the choke, they inject fuel through a small needle valve. Mine starts first kick every time now. Good Luck!

Nope wont work mine did that new from the factory its the emission pop valve that makes it hard to start 

[bweighmaster]

1 minute ago, jer none said:

It's normal use a syringe and shoot some fuel in at the air inlet tube right before the carb it will help. 

Check the dates of the previous post .. Save the embarrasment ....     Using a syringe is    Not  proper protocol.

Proper cleaning of carb is .....

[Piney Woods]

?

[cdahl383]

Rumor has it the OP is still kicking the bike over trying to start it 15 years later.  

[Turboloader]

Crap gas. Ethynol is the culprit, find some real gas, clean the crap out of your float bowls and go from there.