Ok guys,
was hoping someone could point me in the right direction here.

In order to start my bike for the first time in the day, i need to use a spare car battery.
The bike takes so long to start that it drains the bike one, i have tried every combination of full choke, half choke, no choke, bit of throttle, no throttle, lots of throttle but to no avail.
This was only happening if it was the first time i started it that day, but now it seems to be the same if its left for just a couple of hours and runs on 2 for a couple of miles.

When i picked up the bike 2 weeks ago, i changed the spark plugs, oil, oil filter and air filter.
Also replaced the fuel line as one the lines had a kink in it.

I know its an old bike 89 F but am hoping there is a solution.

What would be the plan of action from some of you more experienced guys?

Many thanks in advance

Matt

Firstly for cold starts turn on the ignition and listen for the clicking noise, that's the fuel pump, let that finish. Now turn the kill switch off / on and you'll here it click again it should slow and then stop ... if it just cuts out flick the kill switch again, then start it. Mine uses about 3/4 choke and no throttle.

Next The EXUP.

When you turn the ignition on first of all there should be a weep weep noise this is the servo doing an open close cycle - does yours do this ???

Now take the fairing off on the left. Have a look at the exhaust and there's a chromed cover where the down pipes join the main pipe ... take that off and check the cables haven't frayed jaming the Exup. They usually go just where they go into the sheath.
While your down there love get somebody to turn the igntion on and look for the wheel to turn, put a little pressure on the cables afterwards the cables shouldn't be tight or slack.

If all this is ok .... I'd say the valve clearances probably need doing. The vavles stretch with age and you need to measure the gaps and change the shims. This only needs to be done 10,000miles but if it isn't the cams will touch the valves loosing compression. (You can compression test the bike to find out if it's valves.) Eventually you ave little or no compression in the engine and you won't be able to start it at all.

Thanks Evilchicken.

Thats the sort of detailed reply i was hoping for.

Not sure if mine is an EXUP, it has an aftermarket can on - was told there can be no EXUP if can is removed - and i dont hear that weep weep noise.
The fuel pump clicks/primes no problem.

I will get a good look over it tomorrow and go through those things you mentioned and report back.

Can anyone advise as to the best manual for it - 1989 F 1WG


Matt

You should have an exup on that bike. You can have a different can on it without losing the exup.

If the bike has ...
Double headlights with air intakes below and rear panels that come to the underside of the fuel tank cover the model is 3en2

If the air intakes are above the double lights its a 3en1

exact same problem with mine it was the battery check battery fluid levels and votage drop when cranking

If it was the battery then it would jump start first time

if you take a bike at its most basic level, you only need three things to run, fuel, a spark and air.

have you got a spark?
Are the carbs definatly getting fuel?

I had exactly the same problem, and as i dont have a car i had to bump start her. After refurbing the carbs, exup, sparkplug leads, new petrolpump, without it getting any better it checked the clearances.

They were all WAY off. After correcting that the bike now starts with no chocke (unless its really cold) and also runs MUCH better.

But follow Evil's little plan, there is a good chance that a jammed open EXUP can cause bad starting, but then you should notice a dip in the power up to about 6k rpm.

declangaelic wrote:if you take a bike at its most basic level, you only need three things to run, ....

fuel, a spark and compression

ok guys,

Quick update, the bike is starting better now, i did have a problem with the starter solenoid - positive touching negative - but have repaired that.
It seems to run a bit better.
Although, if i start it on choke, it starts for a second and then its a complete pain.

Evil, my front fairing does not have air intakes at all , i think the fairing is an aftermarket fibre glass one.

Also, i want to replace my screen as it has been badly painted and i would rather a clear one, does anyone recommend?

A friend mentioned that the rear shock felt a bit soggy and the bush has a little play in it, what sort of cost am i looking at for a rebuild?

The headlights are also pants, i have read somewhere on here about checking wattages, what modification is needed to upgrade the bulbs and is it worth it.

Thanks for all your help guys, sorry for all the q's, its my first bike and am still learning so much.

matt