gs1000e hard to start

[harrymthree]

ive cleaned the carbs and had them set up by a local dealer all runs well when hot;
when you start the bike from cold it takes ages for it to fire and when it does it spits and pops, some times when you turn it over you can hear a click from the top end not sure what this is but it does it every now and then before the bike fires up,
when the bike is running it runs well.
the timming is electronic not points
any idears will be a great help

[Agemax]

sounds like the fuel enrichment circuits are blocked. strip the carbs again and make sure all the circuits are clean, including the tubes in the float bowls

[harrymthree]

thanks , had a feeling i would be taking the carbs of again but i will be more carefull this time

[harrymthree]

do you have any idear what the click noise from the top is when it turns over. it does it now and then when you start from cold

[chuck hahn]

Valves out of spec, air gaps in the intake manifolds, loose clamps, timing just a tad off, all can also cause delayed or hard starting. I would recheck these first before ripping into the carbs.

[Agemax]

probably nothing to worry about if its not there when the engine is running properly when hot. get it running properly from cold and see if it is still there

[harrymthree]

thanks for the good advice will look at this over the weekend
there is another noise when it ticks over like a ting ting noise it starts quiet and gets louder then goes maybe this is to do with the carbs clogged up
but the timing will have to check it maybe a tad out, have new inlet rubbers and will check the shims

[chuck hahn]

Bad carb syncing will make for hard starts too.


He cant expect to get it to start good from COLD until he has verified everything. And of course it starts and runs great when its hot..simply BECAUSE its ALREADY hot!!!!

[Big T]

do you have any idear what the click noise from the top is when it turns over. it does it now and then when you start from cold

Does the click happen when you press the starter button?

Are you sure it's coming from the top and not the left side?

The #1 hard to start issue is tight valves

[Nessism]

A click noise when cranking is not good. A stuck cam chain tensioner could be allowing too much slack. A failing starter clutch is also a possibility.

Oh, and needless to say, you must make sure the valves are properly adjusted. Failing to do so will make the bike hard to start, as well as damage the engine. Burned valves from maintenance neglect is a common reasons GS bikes hit the scrap heap.

[Agemax]

And of course it starts and runs great when its hot..simply BECAUSE its ALREADY hot!!!!

agreed, nobody said otherwise!

[chuck hahn]

Ticking and clicking sounds have also been known to be made by old wires with micro cracks. The wires will sporadically arc to the valve cover of frame nearby and make clicking or snappy tick like sounds.

This also would be another suspect cause for hard starting..no spark delivery from the wires arcing out.

[chuck hahn]

HE said it runs great when warmed up. Which is to whom my response was directed.

[harrymthree]

got new starter clutch the old one was worn and stronger clutch back plate springs to stop these noises; this gives me a lot to think about have to tell the wife christmas dinner is on hold need the table to do work on the bike;
thanks to all for your imput

bryan

[Agemax]

HE said it runs great when warmed up. Which is to whom my response was directed.

some bikes are hard to start when they are cold OR hot, or both. each scenario could point to different faults! most common when cold are choke not working correctly. tight valves would cause more problems when hot, compression will be lower